Library

– NEWEST TITLES IN THE LIBRARY –

Christmas in Cedar Cove.  Debbie Macomber, 2006 [Fiction]  “Find out why every Christmas in Cedar Cove is special!”

The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook – Recipes, Decorating, Joy. Good Housekeeping, 2013 [641]  “…delicious recipes and sparkling decorating ideas to enjoy year after year.”

Believe – Living the Story of the Bible To Become Like Jesus. Randy Frazee, 2015 [DVD] Maybe you were unable to attend when this series was presented at Wednesday Night Connection or maybe you would like to view the videos again in your own time.

A Black Eye Isn’t the End of the World – Simple Thoughts for a Better Life. Ray G. Strobel, 2005 [100] “…try a new outlook on life and see the world from a panda’s point of view.”

Just Like Jesus. Max Lucado, 2003 [248] “God loves you just the way you are but he is not finished with you yet.”  This addition is especially for teens.

Help, Lord!  I’m Having a Senior Moment – Notes to God on Growing Older. Karen O’Connor, 2002 [242]  “Funny moments, poignant moments, moments we’d rather forget.  We might as well laugh about them and thank God for the way they add interest to our lives.”

Chicken Soup for the Soul – Find Your Inner Strength. Amy Newmark, 2014 [155.2] “101 Empowering stories of resilience, positive thinking and overcoming challenges.”

The Third Jesus – The Christ We Cannot Ignore. Deepak Chopra, 2008 [232] “In this book, a man shaped by the religions of the East introduces the West to a Jesus we have either lost or have never known.”

Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar– Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes. Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein, 2008 [102] “…a crash course in philosophy via jokes…Gags really do explain the meaning of it all in this lively book…”

The Star Christmas. VeggieTales, 2002 [Children’s DVD]

Christmas Wishes – Clifford the Big Red Dog. Gail Herman, [Children’s Books]

Mouse in the Manger. Robert Z. Hicks, [Children’s Books]

– NEWEST TITLES IN THE LIBRARY –

Diary of a Teenage Girl.  Melody Carlson, 2005 [Fiction]  Kim is in danger of losing her driving privileges but strikes a deal with her dad to write a teen advice column for his newspaper.  When a classmate is killed, the letters she receives and the answers she strives to write lead to questions about life and death and what her adoptive Christian faith or the Buddhism of her Korean heritage have to offer.

First Love Forever– Romance Collection of 9 historical romances where first loves are rekindled.  Vetsch et al, 2018 [Fiction]  “Travel back to a gentler time in American history and meet nine couples who never forgot how their hearts were once bound by love.”

The Power of Kindness for Teens – True Stories Written by Teens From the Pages of Guideposts.  Mary Lou Carney, Editor, 2004 [177] “…these teens not only reveal the joy of serving others with kindness but also celebrate the kindness of true friends.”

The Happiness Hypothesis – Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom. Jonathan Haidt, 2006 [170] “…ten great ideas…discovered by several of the world’s civilizations…question it in light of what we now know from scientific research and to extract from it the lessons that still apply to our modern lives.”

Learning to Walk in the Dark. Barbara Brown Taylor, 2014 [248.4] “We can’t always see the light.  It waxes and wanes or can go out altogether.  What we need is a spirituality that works in the nighttime.”

Sacred Rhythms– Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. Ruth Haley Barton, 2006 [248.4]  “…offers wise, sane and concrete help for people who are ready for the “more” of God amidst their busy lives, and want a better way to arrange their lives to receive God’s transforming presence.”

The Secret of Whispering Woods – The Journeys of Jessie Land #6. Jerry Jerman, [Children’s Books] Jessie, and her “almost-brother” Leo Little Wolf join forces to rescue their new friend.

Stalked in the Catacomb – A Daring Adventure. Peter Reese Doyle, [Children’s Books] Three teens are stalked in Paris as they journey into the dark catacombs beneath the streets.

God’s Quiet Things. Nancy Sweetland, 1994 [Children’s Books]

Cats and Bats and Things Like That. V. Gilbert Beers, [Children’s Books]

I Have Two Daddies – An Earthly Daddy and A Heavenly Daddy. Lynn Calvin, 2008 [Children’s Books]

– NEWEST TITLES IN THE LIBRARY –

The Noticer – Andy Andrews, 2009 [Fiction]  “…grapples with life’s biggest questions… It only takes a little perspective to recognize the miracles in our moments, the seeds of greatness tucked into our struggles.”

Experience, Strength & Hope.  Alcoholics Anonymous, 2003 [362]  A collections of stories back to the initial 56 members of A.A. Fellowship and through tremendous growth of membership of this healing organization.

The Purpose Driven Life – Devotional for Kids. Rick Warren, 2015 [Children’s books] This book of devotionals, first donated to the orphanage in Bolivia, has now been donated back to the church.  “….devotions meant to help you discover who you are in God’s eyes and help you find your purpose in relation to Christ.”

Lazarus, Come Forth! – How Jesus Confronts the Culture of Death and Invites Us into the New Life of Peace. John Dear, 2011 [232.9] “… reading it will lead us away from the culture of death all around us and into the new life of peace Jesus offers to those who accept His radical way of active love.”

The Broken Truth. Karl Olson, 2017 [248] “We all live in a broken world and this explains my brokenness and how we can overcome it with his help!”

On Living. Kerry Egan, 2016 [170]  “…allows us a glimpse into a little-known world where ordinary people face death with wit, humor, sadness, and regret.”

Zealot – The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. Reza Aslan, 2013 [232.9] “This is Jesus as a passionate Jew, a violent revolutionary, a fanatical ideologue, an odd and scary and extraordinarily interesting man.”

Peace Be Upon You – Fourteen Centuries of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Conflict and Cooperation. Zachary Karabell, 2007 [201] “…thoughtful and passionate, hopeful but without illusions … reveals the history of peaceful coexistence among Muslims, Christians and Jews over the course of fourteen centuries until the present-day.”

Non-Religious Christian – Finding Faith Outside the Church. Vern Jones, 2012 [201] “…debunks so-called biblical truths and the whole notion of biblical inerrancy… puts forward a new and exciting way of looking at faith, without the restrictions placed by organized religion…”

Exuberance – The Passion for Life. Jay Redfield Jamison, 2004 [152.4]  “…something wonderfully different: an exploration of exuberance and how it fuels our most important creative and scientific achievements.”

The Man Who Planted Trees – A Story of Lost Groves, the Science of Trees and a Plan to Save the Planet. Jim Robbins, 2012 [333.75]  This is the story of our own Northwest Michigan nurseryman, David Milarch and “his near-death experience in which he was shown an image of a devastated Earth, …was tasked with cloning the champion trees of the world.”

Comfort and Joy – Volume One. Cantus, 2004 [CD] Enjoy this lovely collection of the male choir, Cantus, in performing wonderful Advent music.

NEWEST TITLES IN THE LIBRARY

The Jesus Film. The Dove Foundation, 2006 [DVD]  “The timeless story of the most beloved – and yet the most controversial – figure ever to walk the earth.”

The Cross and the Switchblade.  Gateway Films, [DVD] “The change in the life of notorious gang leader Nicky Cruz, as shown in the film, proved to be wonderfully lasting and real.”

Jesus Always – Embracing Joy in His Presence. Sarah Young, 2016 [242] Enjoy this delightful little book of devotionals because ”Life is full of difficulties and joy often feels out of reach.”

Adventures in Daily Prayer– Experiencing the Power of God’s Love.  Bert Ghezzi, 2010 [248.3] “If you want to grow in your spiritual life, read this book, implement some of its suggestions, and you will be on your way.”

The Great Omission – Reclaiming Jesus’ Essential Teachings on Discipleship. Dallas Willard, 2006 [248.4] “The last command Jesus gave the church before he ascended to heaven was the Great Commission, the call for Christians to ‘make disciples of all the nations.’  But Christians have responded by making ‘Christians’ not ‘disciples’.”

The Apostles’ Creed for Today. Justo L. Gonzalez, 2007 [248.4] “…serves as a wise guide through the thorny issues of the past that gave rise to the statements of the Creed.”

The Reason for God – Belief in an Age of Skepticism. Timothy Keller, 2008 [239] “…addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics, and even ardent believers, have about religion.”

Discovering Jesus. William Barclay, 2000 [248] “…takes us through the key events in the life of Jesus.  Using maps, charts, tables, and lists Barclay illuminates the historical background, making it clear, lively, and exciting for readers of all ages.”

World on the Edge – How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse. Lester R. Brown, 2011 [500] “…looks at our economic future through an environmental lens to develop a plan that will sustain civilization.”

Why I am Not an Arminian. Robert A. Peterson & Michael D. Williams, 2004 [230] “…Arminian’s have too lofty a view of human nature and an inadequate understanding of God’s sovereign love, in Christ.”

Why I am Not a Calvinist. Jerry L. Walls & Joseph R. Dongell, 2004 [230] “Is God a master puppeteer, pulling our strings?  Or has he graciously given his children freedom to respond to his love?”

Who Are You to Judge? – Learning to Distinguish Between Truths, Half-Truths and Lies. Erwin W. Lutzer, 2002 [241] “Our task is to make wise judgments in a nonjudgmental world!”

Unspeakable – Facing Up to Evil in an Age of Genocide and Terror. Os Guinness, 2005 [170] “…offers a brilliant map to help us navigate and confront the difficult landscape of modern life, and modern evil.”

Practicing Your Path – A Book of Retreats for an Intentional Life. Holly W. Whitcomb, 2002 [248] “…offers seven one-day retreats that can be followed in the privacy of your own home – or in the company of other spiritual seekers.”

The Book on Leadership. John MacArthur, 2004 [253] “…presents the ’26 Characteristics of a True Leader’.  Whether you are a business leader, civic leader, church leader, parent, teacher, or student, the life of Paul will empower you to unleash your own capacity for leadership.”

NEWEST TITLES IN OUR NEW RICHARDSON LIBRARY –

Random Acts of Kindness. Conari Press, Editors, 1993 [177] “Be a force of kindness…will inspire you to start – with the small, the particular, the individual – to bring delight and goodness to yourself and others.

16 Lighthouse Road. Debbie Macomber, 2001 [Fiction] Another story of people in a small town (Cedar Cove, Washington) living regular, complicated lives of struggle and joy.

The Last Rhinos – the Powerful Story of One Man’s Battle to Save a Species. Lawrence Anthony, 2012 [599.66] When the author (owner of a Zululand game reserve) “…heard that there were only a handful of northern white rhinos left in the wild…he knew he had to take action.”

10 Gospel Promises for Later Life. Jane Marie Thibault, 2004 [248.8] “Many older adults experience a spiritual crisis as they face what seems to be ongoing diminishment. How does the Good News speak to their fears?”

God Whispers – Learning to Hear His Voice. Margaret Feinberg, 2002 [248] “The majority of Americans pray, but how many recognize when God has answered?

Light in the Shadow of Jihad – The Struggle for Truth. Ravi Zacharias, 2002 [239] “Where was God on September 11? …searches through the rubble – and the Bible for the answers people need to their searing questions?”

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven – A remarkable account of miracles, angels and life beyond this world. Kevin & Alex Malarkey, 2010 [236] When six year old Alex “…awoke from a coma two months later [after a terrible car wreck], he had an incredible [true] story to share.”

Have a Little Faith- a True Story. Mitch Albom, 2009 [296.7] “…a heartwarming true story about the power of love to triumph over death, and the power of faith.”

The Good and Beautiful God – Falling in Love with The God Jesus Knows. James Bryan Smith, 2009 [200] “Put your ideas about God and how he works to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God?”

The Good and Beautiful Life- Putting On the Character of Christ. James Bryan Smith, 2009 [200] “We have bought into false notions of happiness and success. These self-centered decisions lead us further into the vices that cause ruin: anger, lust, lying, worry and judging.”

The Good and Beautiful Community- Following the Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love. James Bryan Smith, 2010 [200] “…helps us to know how to live in relationship with others as apprentices of Jesus.”

Job – A Man of Heroic Endurance. Charles R. Swindoll, 2004 [222] “…another of God’s amazing men with heroic character qualities worth emulating.”

The Journey- Our Quest for Faith and Meaning. Os Guinness, 2001 [239] “…a carefully conceived collection of readings that illustrate the historical human search for truth, reality and spiritual goodness.” One of the Trinity Forum Study Series, this book includes a reader’s guide.

NEWEST TITLES IN OUR NEW RICHARDSON LIBRARY –

Small Great Things. Jodi Picoult, 2016 [Fiction] The newborn son of a white supremacist dies while under the care of a black labor and delivery nurse.  This story tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice and compassion with no easy answers.

The Shop on Blossom Street.  Debbie Macomber, 2004 [Fiction] “Four very different women, brought together by an age-old craft [knitting] make unexpected discoveries – about themselves and each other.”

Hemingway– One Man’s Faith, a Family’s Struggle to Forgive.  Core Faith Media, 2012 [DVD-Family] The owner of the Hemingway publishing empire died and surprises the family with his will in which he required that long-time family feuding be resolved within 8 hours or the entire company would be donated to charity.

The Billy Graham Story. John Pollock, 1985 [920] Read this authorized biography of the much respected and revered Billy Graham as a tribute to his life which ended just last month.

Images of My Life. William E. Wilson, 2016 [920] Our own Bill Wilson, recently deceased member of our church has written another memoir – this one relives his long life in Traverse City as well as his experience in World War II.

A Walk in the Woods– Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. Bill Bryson, 1998 [917.404]  This is another of this author’s wildly entertaining books full of humor and love for nature.

The Lotus and the Cross – Jesus Talks with Buddha. Ravi Zacharias, 2001 [232] “Jesus and Buddha agreed that Truth could withstand scrutiny.  Listen in as the Soul of Truth speaks with the Heart of Compassion.”

Preparing for Heaven – What Dallas Willard Taught Me about Living, Dying, and Eternal Life. Gary Black Jr., 2015 [236] “…a beautiful account of friendship, a profound vision of afterlife, and a wise and inspiring guide for how we can and must live now, given that bright image of heaven.”

Life with God – Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation. Richard J. Foster, 2008 [248.4] “…awakens us to God’s continued desire to commune with us despite the deafness of our sin-blunted ears.”

Experiencing God – Knowing and Doing the Will of God. Henry & Richard Blackaby and Claude King, 2008 [231] “When you open this book, you’ll find that you aren’t just reading.  No, you are being remade, reoriented, and restored from the frustration of what you may have known as stale religion.”

Truth & Power – The Place of Scripture in the Christian Life, 1996 [220.1] “…challenges the church to keep the Bible and to keep to the Bible.”

Lifting Up the Poor – A Dialogue on Religion, Poverty & Welfare Reform. Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 2003 [261.8] “…moving, pointed, and informed discussion of poverty, one or our most vexing public issues.”

Is the Market Moral? – A Dialogue on Religion, Economics & Justice.  Pew Form Dialogues on Religion & Public Life, 2004 [261.8] “…grapples with the new imperatives of a global economy while working in the classic tradition of political economy, which has always treated seriously the questions of morality, justice, productivity and freedom.”

Liberty and Power – A Dialogue on Religion & U.S. Foreign Policy in an Unjust World. Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 2004 [261.8] “What role should religion play in shaping and implementing U.S. foreign policy?”

One Electorate under God? – A Dialogue on Religion & American Politics. Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 2004 [261.8] “…voices seeking to promote a greater understanding of American thinking about faith and public office in a pluralistic society.”

A Visual Guide to Gospel Events – Fascinating Insights into Where They Happened and Why. James C. Martin, John A. Beck & David G. Hansen, 2010 [232.9] “…includes hundreds of photographs and maps to bring to life the world in which Jesus lived.”

– NEWEST TITLES IN THE LIBRARY –

Calm My Anxious Heart – A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment. Linda Dillow, 2007 [248.4] “…filled with encouragement and practical help for overcoming anxiety, this book includes a twelve-week Bible study to help you discover what the Bible says about contentment and ways to apply it to your daily life.”

Provocative Grace – The Challenge in Jesus’ Words.  Robert Corin Morris, 2006 [232.9] “The Jesus of the Gospels, in all his modes on encountering people – as prophet, healer, wisdom teacher, mystic, social critic, and nonviolent revolutionary, is a disturber of our immaturities, one who challenges us to find and use our strengths.”

Can God be Trusted? Graham Maxwell, 2002 [239] “…considers the issues in the great controversy over God’s character.”

The Witness of Religion in an Age of Fear.  Michael Kinnamon, 2017 [201] “Distinguishing between ‘normal fear’ that protects us and ‘abnormal fear’ that paralyzes us, Kinnamon draws on biblical tradition and rich spiritual resources to offer a powerful call to action.”

Letters from Michael – Israel in the time of Jesus; a historical, cultural and geographical perspective.  Denny Thompson, [956.94] “…the importance of understanding and appreciating the cultures of other countries…gain a new and much greater appreciation of Jewish culture at the time of Jesus.

Animate Practices. Spark House DVD, 2014 [248] “…introduction to the central practices of the Christian faith, why they are important and how we can take part in them today.”  Included are sections on prayer, food, worship, sacraments, money, service and community.

House of Stone – A Memoir of Home, Family and a Lost Middle East. Anthony Shadid, 2012 [920] “Crumbling Ottoman outposts, doomed pashas, and roving bandits feel immediate, familiar and relevant.  Lose yourself in these pages, where empires linger, grandparents wander and a battered Lebanon beckons us home.”

Secrets of the Heart – Mail-Order Bride series #1. Al & Joanna Lacy, 1998 [Fiction] “…millionaire in-laws have taken her daughter away…However, because of her newfound faith, her plans for revenge change…”

A Time to Love – Mail-Order Bride series #2. Al & Joanna Lacy, 1998 [Fiction] “…finds life as a mail order bride more than she ever imagined.  More dangerous.  More romantic.  More challenging to her faith.”

The Tender Flame – Mail-Order Bride series #3. Al & Joanna Lacy, 1999 [Fiction] “War shatters the marriage plans…Lydia hears that Grant is dead…Is this really the end …?”

Blessed are the Merciful – Mail-Order Bride series #4. Al & Joanna Lacy, 1999 [Fiction] “A deadly accident…A love lost…will his past collide head-on with his hopes for the future…can find forgiveness for a seemingly unpardonable sin?”

Ransom of Love – Mail-Order Bride series #5. Al & Joanna Lacy, 2000 [Fiction] “The price of freedom runs high in the deep south.”

Until the Daybreak – Mail-Order Bride series #6. Al & Joanna Lacy, 2000 [Fiction] “As he awaits the arrival of his mail order bride, she prays to God for light in her darkness.”

Sincerely Yours – Mail-Order Bride series #7. Al & Joanna Lacy, 2001 [Fiction] “Dr. Quint Roberts mended union soldiers years ago…and now he’s saving lives in Montana.  But is there any medicine for his own hardened and grieving heart?”

Measure of Grace – Mail-Order Bride series #8. Al & Joanna Lacy, 2001 [Fiction] “Romance and revenge, hot tempers and cold feet frame one woman’s flight to freedom in the old West.

So Little Time – Mail-Order Bride series #9. Al & Joanna Lacy, 2002 [Fiction] “Destiny joined them as children.  Reunited a decade later, are their days still numbered?”

Let There Be Light – Mail-Order Bride series #10. Al & Joanna Lacy, 2002 [Fiction] “When Dan Tyler welcomes his potential bride to Arizona will he learn of her sinister scheme before it is too late?”

NEWEST TITLES IN OUR NEW RICHARDSON LIBRARY –

The Storyteller. Jodi Picoult, 2013 [Fiction] “At it’s heart [this story] is about whether anyone has the right to tell someone else’s secrets – and what the emotional cost of forgiveness truly is.”

God Is No Laughing Matter – An Artist’s Observations and Objections on the Spiritual Path.  Julia Cameron, 2000 [291.4] ”. . . I [the author] have tried to articulate my artist’s-eye view of spirituality, grounded in my own experience of creating, Creation, and the Great Creator – artist nonpareil.”

Awaken!  Spirit Is Calling. Helena Kalivoda, 2008 [204] “. . . is a call to all to live from our hearts, to realize that we are the creators of every event that happens in our lives and to take responsibility for all that occurs to us.  . . . for all to live in peace, love and compassion for one another . . .”

Hearing With the Heart – A Gentle Guide to Discerning God’s Will for Your Life.  Debra K. Farrington, 2003 [248.4]  “ . . . handbook for anyone seeking a direction in life. . .”

A Sudden Glory – God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More.  Sharon Jaynes, 2012 [248.8]  ” . . . uses Scripture and story to help you erase the line between your “spiritual life” and your “daily life” as you enter the sanctuary of God’s presence even in the middle of your busy, messy day.”

Reconcilable Differences – Two Friends Debate God’s Roles for Women. Nancy Parker Brummett & Alice Scott-Ferguson, 2006 [248] “ . . . an open discussion of women’s roles between two strong, intelligent Christian women . . . honest answers to perplexing questions all women ask.”

365 Prescriptions for the Soul – Daily Messages of Inspiration, Hope, and Love. Dr. Bernie S. Siegel, 2004 [204] “ . . doses of inspiration and humor that gently and joyfully help us live more peaceful, loving and fulfilling lives.”

Muslims, Christians, and Jesus – Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships. Carl Medearis, 2008 [261.2]  Given to our church by the Callisons (our missionaries to the Kurds), this book “ . . . provides new insights into the top questions people have about Muslims, Muhammad, and Islam.”

Always By My Side – Life Lessons from Millie and All the Dogs I’ve Loved. Edward Grinnan, 2017 [920]  “. . . shares how her sensitivity, unconditional love, and innate goodness helped him discover those qualities in himself and put his complicated past in perspective.”

Rez Life – An Indian’s Journey Through Reservation Life. David Treuer, 2012 [920]  “Blends memoir and history to reveal what life on a reservation is really like – neither the festival of dysfunction nor the oasis of noble, nature-loving stoics that many non-Indians imagine.”

Visions of Israel – A stunning aerial tour of the ancient land. Acorn Media, 2008 [DVD]  “Sacred sites and natural wonders in all their visual glory.”

Draft Day.  Lionsgate, 2014 [DVD-PG13]  “A great sports film”  with Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner

Mere Christianity.  C.S. Lewis, 1980 [230]  We know this is an old book, but it’s a classic we should have available in our library.