A book donated to the church library that is inspirational by Steve Peifer is introduced here. Can also be requested from the library so you can get the total impact.
Categories
A Dream So Big
Category: church books
To hear about the inspirational story of a family that decided to adopt a group of 8 siblings and how they were led to do this great act click here.
The government tells fifteen-year-old Simon Clay everything he needs to know. Except what really happened to his mom. And why no one can go out at night. And why the Darkness is so dangerous.
By day, Simon pushes against every boundary there is. And by night, secret visitors and hidden messages make him question everything his life entails.
There’s a truth out there to be discovered, a truth the government will stop at nothing to stamp out. Join Simon and the Messengers as they risk their lives to protect it.
Book one of The Messengers Series.
One woman’s fight to provide hope for the hopeless…
Seven ex-cons who changed her heart forever…
For Brenda Spahn, entrepreneur and businesswoman, wealth was a lifestyle—until a brush with the law threatened to send her to prison. In those dark moments, Brenda made a promise to God.
Spared incarceration, a renewed Brenda glimpsed into the lives of women serving time in one of the worst places in America—the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama
The Grace of God is so astonishing that we cannot adequately describe it. But Jesus knew how to say it-in a parable. With the drawings of Robert Doares depicting the setting, The Prodigal’s Sister poetically and imaginatively retells the parable of the prodigal son with a startling twist.
In the poem the younger sister of the prodigal sets out to reclaim her brother’s life. The new life the prodigal finds in his father’s love is mirrored in the mercy the legalistic elder brother finds when he learns that his slave-like labor is useless in winning his father’s love.
In this lyrical memoir, a disillusioned pastor’s daughter searches the globe for God and finds him in the most unexpected place-back home.
Discover the compelling true story of a former L. A. lawyer and a Ugandan boy falsely accused of murder — two courageous friends brought together by God on a mission to reform criminal justice.
Jim Gash, former Los Angeles lawyer and current president of Pepperdine University, tells the amazing story of how, after a series of God-orchestrated events, he finds himself in the heart of Africa defending a courageous Ugandan boy languishing in prison and wrongfully accused of two separate murders. Ultimately, their unlikely friendship and unrelenting persistence reforms Uganda’s criminal justice system, leaving a lasting impact on hundreds of thousands of lives and revealing a relationship that supersedes circumstance, culture, and the walls we often hide behind.
Society has decided that science and religion are opposed to each other. They are not. They are united. They back each other up. Science always complements the Bible. That’s the truth, and the purpose of this book is to explore that reality. Zooming in to the smallest part of a cell and zooming out to the largest extent of the universe testify to the same thing, the necessity of a creator. ‘No God? No Way!’ And along the “way,” author Chris Hathaway uses his experience as a science teacher (along with lots of basic common sense) to show how the big bang and the general theory of evolution fall to pieces when burdened with real-life testing and analysis. But what about natural selection? Is carbon dating legitimate? What’s the deal with dinosaurs and how do they fit into all this? These questions and plenty more will be answered as you journey through this exciting book. So suit up. Pack your essentials. Put on your hiking boots and grab that space helmet. We’re going for a ride.
A new book added to the church library, Flowing From the Cross is by Daniel E. Paavola and published by CPH
In Flowing from the Cross use the six faces of a cube and images drawn from the Bible to explore and remember facets of God’s forgiveness. With hymn connections, discussion questions, and relatable commentary, this book will dive deeper into the complexity of the forgiveness that flows to us from the cross.
About the Author
Daniel E. Paavola is a professor and pastor with the gifts of storytelling, motorcycle riding, and Model-T restoring. He is a professor of theology at Concordia University Wisconsin and served twelve years as pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in the town of Butternut, Wisconsin
Categories
Connected to Christ
Christ’s Church is never isolated. We are always together as believers. Learn to encourage this community in your congregation, and how to bring others out of their isolation to find community in your Church, in Connected to Christ: Overcoming Isolation through Community. This impactful guidebook with real life anecdotes and a conversational feel will allow you to grow your Church community, coming back together as His people.
Can two families learn to cohabitate?
In peace?
Ever?
Are you terrified that you’ve turned into a version of the fairy-tale wicked stepparent?
Do you paste on a smile and pretend your family is a vision of 1950s Main Street America while at home the battle lines are etched in the driveway and signed with the kid’s initials?
Don’t dismay. God is with you. Discover how others have dealt with the difficult issues of blending two families. Find real-world advice to help you when your own words fail.
This engaging readable book is held together with humor, liberally peppered with information, commentary, and includes clinically sound information and proven communication tools.
Both authors provide practical methods for dealing with tough subjects. Short captivating chapters are perfect for those rare moments that parents have to themselves. Readers will enjoy stories and testimonies as they prepare their own families for success.
Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, an accomplished author with a background in education and psychology, reflects on her experiences as a widowed mom with two sons who married a widowed dad with a son of his own. Now, with a few years of perspective, she uses the narrative of her experience to help others better navigate the issues that arise in a new family. Diana’s credits include My Devotions, The Metro East Family Gazette, Little Visits Family Devotions and The Lutheran Witness. She is the author of A Time to Dance, Mystery of the Smithton Necklace, and The Trouble with Ralph. Diana received her degree from Webster University, and lives in Southern Illinois with her family.
Marty Lintvedt, Diana’s friend, is a licensed professional counselor (MO) who is nationally certified counselor and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. Their engaging, readable book is held together with humor, liberally peppered with informative commentary, and includes clinically sound informational sidebars and proven communication tools.
Lintvedt received her bachelor’s degree in music from California State University Long Beach in 1979, and her Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO., in 1995. Mrs. Lintvedt has worked in counselor education since 1996. She is a nationally approved clinical supervisor and a registered clinical supervisor for the state of Missouri, and site supervisor to Master’s and doctoral level student interns from Washington University, Covenant Seminary, Lindenwood University, St. Louis University and University Missouri-Saint Louis.
Marty is coordinator of Dispelling the Darkness, a Family Enrichment Series sponsored by Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, O’Fallon, Illinois. This series provides psycho-educational and therapeutic support to families and individuals in Southern Illinois and the St. Louis Metro area.
Categories
Battle of the Soul
Do you ever have a not so nice thought race through your head and then wonder how to deal with it in a Christian way? Rev Fieberkorn has some suggestions and ideas based on Scripture of how one can handle one’s own wayward thoughts. Give it a read. It can be found in the Church Library.
Categories
Creation Illustrated
We have a magazine in the Church library called Creation Illustrated. The current issue is taking a look at the seven days of creation with illustrations. It is a great experience for you eyes and taking time to appreciate the beauty of the Creator’s work. It will be on the cart that goes to Bible Class plus a few back issues for you to choose from.
For more than a decade, Matthew C. Harrison has served as the president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. During this time, he has faced many discouraging days and witnessed the decline of the popularity of being a Christian in our modern era. He knows that even faithful Christians can feel as if everything in life is against them. The world wants them to abandon faith in God, who is so particular. Many of their family and friends no longer sit next to them in the pew. The worldview promoted by culture is so different from the one they hear from the pulpit and in the pages of the Bible. But this is not another book telling you everything that is wrong in the world. This is a book reminding you of the one thing right in the world, the person who alone has overcome the world.
Through Jesus, Rev. Harrison has found constant encouragement. He now writes these words as encouragement to you. As your words and prayers have sustained him for years, so now these words of encouragement are for you. Jesus alone has overcome the world. He alone is risen from the dead. No matter the uncertainty of our times, no matter the discouraging state of affairs around us, these truths are certain.
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” (Psalm 46:4). Seeing that river and returning to its renewing waters is the aim of Rev. Richard Davenport’s Bible study, The Baptismal River. Using especially Old Testament events that foreshadow the baptismal flood in Christ, the study provides the participant with all the gifts that God promises through Baptism, which “assuredly means forgiveness, but it also means quite a bit more.” Through The Baptismal River, the reader will be submerged in all the wonders of our life-giving Trinity that the baptismal flood delivers.”
-Rev. Dr. Kent J. Burreson, professor of systematic theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
The Apostles’ Creed. You repeat it week after week in church, but have you stopped to contemplate the words you’re speaking? Better yet, have you considered how the Apostles’ Creed is used in the mission field to speak Christ’s love and God’s truth to the world? Embark on a cross-cultural journey of The Apostles’ Creed from the mission field in Asia all the way to your home.
Knowing God and having a personal relationship with Him is crucial to developing your faith. That includes learning His Word in your native language. As author Emily Belvery worked in the mission field, it was pivotal for her to learn how to speak this foundational statement of faith in the heart language of the people she was reaching out to. As she studied, she renewed her appreciation and joy for the Apostles’ Creed.
A deeply personal account of one man’s faith, Extra Nos recounts hip-hop Christian rapper FLAME’s journey from Calvinism to Lutheranism.
After a serious car accident when he was 16, FLAME dedicated his music to Christian doctrine. Follow his path of being discovered as an artist to attending Concordia Seminary. In Extra Nos, FLAME dissects the misguided lyrics he used to write and details the truth he found in Lutheranism.
While FLAME’s faith journey and life may be unique, readers will recognize the forgiveness, kindness, and healing nature of Lutheranism.
Theological topics and literary features found in each book of the Bible
Significant events, people, and places found in detailed outlines and maps
Biblical reflections from Martin Luther and Johann Gerhard
Color photography and art illustrating stories, daily life, and landscapes (600+)
Hardback. 2 volumes. 1,128 and 1,016 pages.
The font size is 11 point.
God, I Need to Talk to You about Worrying applies God’s invitation to His children to pray about everything and His promise to listen. Colorfully illustrated and written from a child’s point of view, this book describes everyday situations children encounter, along with the reassurance that even if something bad happens, God still is with His children and loves and cares for them. Comforted by God’s promises to always be with His children and listen to their prayers, children finish the story reminded of God’s love for them.
God, I Need to Talk to You about Being Patient applies God’s invitation to His children to pray about everything and His promise to listen. Colorfully illustrated and written from a child’s point of view, this book describes everyday situations children encounter, along with the reassurance that even though His children are not always patient, God will forgive them and help them to be patient. Comforted by God’s promises to always forgive, help, and listen to prayers, children finish the story reminded of God’s love for them.
God, I Need to Talk to You about Loving Others applies God’s invitation to His children to pray about everything and His promise to listen. Colorfully illustrated and written from a child’s point of view, this book describes everyday situations children encounter, along with the message that God made each of His children to be different and that He blesses them with friends. Comforted by God’s promise to always listen to prayers, children finish the story reminded of God’s love for them.
Author Rev. Dr. Adam T. Filipek gives you the key to understanding how your life story—yes, your story today—is interwoven with the life of Christ in the Bible. Piece together each of the narratives in the Old and New Testament to see how God has grafted your life onto the beautiful saving life of Christ.
Life in Christ will take you through the Bible chronologically, giving you an important overview of the historical retellings so you can understand the timeline of His Word. See how God is working in your day-to-day through each of the Gospel books. As you piece together how these narrative threads are woven into one big picture, you will also see that the faith and Church are not about the individuals, but rather, it’s forever pointing back to the story of God’s Son and His sacrifice for humanity.
In this three-book series, Simon and his friends and family face danger, challenges, and struggles. But despite the peril they find themselves in, they are willing to do anything it takes to protect the Message worth dying for.
This set includes all three books in the series: Discovered, Concealed, and Revealed.
Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids is a resource on concepts from the 2017 Explanation of the catechism for elementary-aged students. They will learn tenets of faith through illustrations and easy-to-understand language.
This workbook is for use alongside the catechism for kids. Helping to explain the language, terminology, and contexts of the catechism, this student book allows for deeper understanding and engagement. Students will answer questions, practice memorization, learn definitions, and fill in the blanks.
This book intended for lay people, helps readers understand Jesus’ role and how these instances were beginning to lay the groundwork for His birth and ministry in the New Testament. Study the Old Testament through a Christ-centered lens in The Messianic Message and continue building your faith foundation and strengthening your relationship with the Messiah.
The next three books were given to the library by a member. We thank her for sharing with us.
It is a dangerous tale of times past. A love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice.
Then as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover.
With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds.
Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow.
Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter.
But remember, not everyone is for this story.
An urgent message summons Quentin to Castle Askelon. The king, who is dying, wishes to name the brave young man his successor. But first, he sends him on an unfathomable mission.
What Quentin and his friend Toli, the Jher horseman, discover is not for the cowardly. The brightening Wolf Star is an omen of impending evil that might herald the beginning of the end of mankind on earth. It signifies Nin, a fearsome giant of a man who hopes to add Mensandor to his growing empire. Along with his merciless warlords, they are the fulfillment of a nightmarish prophecy.
In The Warlords of Nin, the second book in The Dragon King Trilogy, Stephen R. Lawhead continues the mythical saga that began with In the Hall of the Dragon King.
Following the beacon of Auralia’s colors and the footsteps of a mysterious dream-creature, King Cal-raven has discovered a destination for his weary crowd of refugees. It’s a city only imagined in legendary tales. And it gives him hope to establish New Abascar.
But when Cal-raven is waylaid by fortune hunters, his people become vulnerable to a danger more powerful than the prowling beastmen––House Bel Amica. In this oceanside kingdom of wealth, enchantment, and beauty, deceitful Seers are all too eager to ensnare House Abascar’s wandering throng.
Even worse, the Bel Amicans have discovered Auralia’s colors, and are twisting a language of faith into a lie of corruption and control.
If there is any hope for the people of Abascar, it lies in the courage of Cyndere, daughter of Bel Amica’s queen; the strength of Jordam the beastman; and the fiery gifts of the ale boy, who is devising a rescue for prisoners of the savage Cent Regus beastmen.
As his faith suffers one devastating blow after another, Cal-raven’s journey is a perilous climb from despair to a faint gleam of hope––the vision he sees in Auralia’s colors.
Ann's Book Talks 