Best Books 

Prepare your heart for the Easter season with Easter Matters: How the Resurrection of Jesus Changes You. The Gospel of John introduces us to a new life based on who we are in relation to God’s Son, Jesus. From John’s perspective, we are reminded of the security and freedom found when we see ourselves as God sees us.

In Easter Matters, authors Anna Nash and Katy Shelton explore the 21 chapters in the Gospel of John during the Easter season. The short daily devotionals inspire a deeper appreciation for the power of the resurrection to transform individual lives. Readers will discover the way Jesus related to those around Him and they will see pictures of the way He relates to and daily defines them. Easter Matters invites readers to celebrate by focusing on the Savior’s life, death, and resurrection during the Easter season and beyond.

Easter Matters Endorsements:

 “Katy and Anna have offered us a great gift. If you are looking for a beautiful, thoughtful, and wise companion to guide you through Lent and into Easter, you have definitely found one in Easter Matters.”

-Jim Branch, Director, Core Leadership, and author of The Blue Book: A Devotional Guide for Every Season of Your Life

“This devotional goes far beyond telling us about the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ… and into the implications of those biblical truths. They are the framework of our identity.  Our hope for change.  Anna and Katy don’t speak for God, but instead provide readers with a way to intimately engage God Himself through daily readings, personal reflection and prayer.”

-Julie Sparkman, Counselor and co-author of Unhitching From the Crazy Train

Authors Nash and Shelton are both natives of the Magic City and still live in the area today. To learn more about Easter Matters, which is a 40-day devotional that leads readers to Resurrection Day, visit shop.ironstreammedia.com. †

Best Books

Samford University’s Orlean Beeson School of Education will present “The Life and Legacy of Elisabeth Elliot” during its 14th Annual Tom and Marla Corts Distinguished Author Series on March 4, 2025. Lucy S. R. Austen, author of Elisabeth Elliot: A Life, will offer the lecture exploring the remarkable life of one of the 20th century’s most influential Christian women.

Elliot’s life was marked by extraordinary challenges and profound faith. After the tragic death of her husband, Jim, during their mission to the Huaorani people of Ecuador, she chose to remain and minister to the same community. Her resilience and commitment to spreading God’s love turned her personal tragedy into a story of hope and redemption. Austen was inspired to write Elisabeth Elliot: A Life when she discovered no one had written a full-length biography on Elliot. “I started looking for a biography of Elliot to read and was startled to find that there were no full-length biographies of her in existence. Toni Morrison famously said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it,” and this project was very much along those lines,” Austen explains. 

Elisabeth Elliot: A Life delves into Elliot’s story of faith, resilience, and service, from her work in Ecuador to her influence as a speaker and author. Through vivid storytelling, this biography captures Elliot’s humanity, heroism, courage, and faith, resonating deeply with Samford’s mission to prepare leaders of character who impact their communities. Diving into the life of Elliot encouraged Austen in her own faith journey. “Through all the ups and downs of her life, Elliot’s bedrock conviction was that, regardless of circumstances, God loves people and God’s promises of rescue and restoration are reliable,” Austen shares, adding that during her writing journey, she found that Elliot had a great sense of humor. “I would not have expected it because so much of her writing deals with serious and even somber subjects, but she had a wicked sense of humor and did a great stand-up comedy routine.”

In honor of Tom and Marla Corts, the Corts Distinguished Author Series enriches the intellectual and spiritual lives of Samford students and the broader community by featuring authors of inspirational works. Austen’s lecture will continue the tradition of connecting audiences with stories that encourage reflection and growth and will provide a platform for meaningful dialogue and intellectual and spiritual formation. “I’ll be talking about the discipline of biography and the process of telling Elliot’s story, and how reading and thinking about Elliot’s life and work can inform the way we live our own lives, both as individuals and as citizens,” Austen says.

Tickets for the event are now available, with seating limited at Brock Recital Hall. Learn more and register at www.samford.edu/education/tom-and-marla-corts. †

Best Books

The fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. Embark on a journey to Lamoria, a land of prophecy and promise, in Airdle’s Realm by Dorothy Gamble. In this riveting Christian fantasy, Prince Trillion, the youngest son of King Wallace, has pursued the pleasures of sin- until death looms.

Confessing that he has a son, Trillion strives to secure young Wilm’s position in the kingdom, for the Lord has whispered that the boy has a part to play in Lamoria’s future. As the unity of the country wanes, Wilm’s destiny unfolds amid tribal animosity and royal intrigue. “I showcase the engaging life in Christ that can be ours if we abide in Him,” Gable explains, adding, “God’s Word is true and an ever-present guide for each and every day. The wayward Prince Trillion, having recently surrendered to God, seeks to help his father, King Wallace, lead Lamoria back to a living faith. Can a nation, founded upon God and His Word, find its way back?”

Airdle’s Realm is a tale of faith rediscovered and a nation’s struggle to remain true to God. Experience the transformative power of repentance and the healing force of forgiveness as Trillion and Wilm navigate their way through a year of trials and tribulations. This inspirational narrative, filled with action, suspense, and a hint of romance, showcases the extraordinary power of God working through ordinary people. Discover a story that insists God’s Word is true and His influence is ever-present. “The Lord has inspired me to make His name great through fiction. I am praying it’s a success and an encouragement to others. The walk with Christ is a Life Worth Living,” Gable shares. Learn more about Airdle’s Realm at shop.ironstreammedia.com. †

Best Books

“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). Every church was meant to grow. Is yours growing? The Perpetually Growing Church is a how-to book unearthing the best practices of churches experiencing a decade or more of numeric growth.

When a local church is a unified, biblically functioning church, tuned in to the power of the Holy Spirit, culturally relevant, exercising church growth principles and practices, and led by spiritually mature, gifted, God-honoring leaders and pastors, it has the potential of being a perpetually growing church. 

Author Rick Howerton has given his life to learning church, leading churches, and consulting churches. He has been a church planter, pastor, groups pastor, campus minister, teaching pastor, and church consultant. He is a highly sought-after trainer, speaker, and author of multiple books and Bible studies. Howerton has spent his adult life networking with, consulting, and learning from influential church leaders whose churches experienced numeric growth for ten years or more. They are perpetually growing churches. Many of them are the most influential churches in America. This book unearths the practices that were consistent in those churches.  If you want to lead or be part of a perpetually growing church, this book is for you.

What are others saying?

“Reading this book is like being able to sit and chat with a trusted friend who knows ministry inside and out. Rick brings decades worth of conversations, strong leadership, and hands-on coaching to the table. I found the book to be challenging and a much-needed encouragement to be dedicated to the Kingdom work and think strategically.” ~Amazon Review by Rodney

“Rick has finally done it. He has taken all the church growth and healthy learnings over the last 50 years of the church and served them up in The Perpetually Growing Church. If you are the lead pastor or serve in leadership of your church, this book is a must! There are so many gold nuggets to help your church reach your community, you don’t want to miss any of them. If Kingdom focus is the mission of your church, pick this book up.” ~Steve Gladen, Elder and Pastor of Small Groups at Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California

“Rick lays out a clear path to leveraging church-growth practices and gives us examples of ministries that are keenly focused on catalyzing conversion growth. Rick’s experience speaks into what makes these places successful at reaching and connecting people to Jesus.” ~Amazon review by Bill Donahue 

To learn more about The Perpetually Growing Church, visit shop.ironstreammedia.com. †

Best Books

What is the best gift we could ever give? One of the best gifts is wisdom.

It is important to know and understand what wisdom is, in order to understand its value. The Hebrew word for wisdom is “chokmah,” and the translation is “to have a skill and expertise in living.” This should cause each of us to stop and ask the question, how valuable would it be if I was an expert in living?

Wisdom enables us to interpret the world and how we should live in it. A person who lacks wisdom lives without direction and is lost in a world that does not make sense.

This book is a collection of short essays on practical wisdom. One of the definitions of the word “practical” is “an idea or plan that is likely to succeed or be effective in real world circumstances.” You will find that there is practical wisdom in each essay that can easily be applied to your life. My hope is this book serves as a guide to help you walk in wisdom on your journey toward a healthy and meaningful life. – Richard E. Simmons III

Endorsements for Practical Wisdom – The Art of Living Well

“The root of human flourishing is wisdom, and Richard Simmons provides dozens of relatable examples of how each of us can pursue success and happiness by practicing wisdom in all areas of life.”
—Dr. Beck A. Taylor, President, Samford University

“I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to excel in life.”
—Miller Gorrie, Founder and Chairman of Brasfield and Gorrie

“Richard Simmons’ Practical Wisdom is an insightful and transformative guide, blending timeless principles with practical advice for navigating life’s challenges. His profound wisdom and compassionate approach offer readers a clear path to personal growth.”
—Lee Styslinger, Co-Chairman, Altec

“Richard Simmons’ new book, Practical Wisdom, demonstrates that “practical” can also be deeply thoughtful and profoundly meaningful. There is much to learn and embrace from this collection of short essays.”
—Dr. Rob Pearigen, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of the South

“In Practical Wisdom, Richard Simmons masterfully provides guidance for a life well-lived. The valuable lessons learned from this book are applicable to each of us and I highly recommend anyone striving for a life of fulfillment to read it.”
—Craft O’Neal, Chairman and CEO O’Neal Industries

Richard E. Simmons III is the best-selling author of Reflections on the Existence of God, The True Measure of a Man, The Power of a Humble Life and his newest book Practical Wisdom. In 2001 he founded The Center for Executive Leadership, a faith-based ministry focused on counseling business executives, teaching and writing. Richard and his wife Holly are the parents of three children in their twenties. When Richard isn’t teaching or writing, he enjoys golf, snow skiing, and travel – his favorite being the family’s recent trip to Italy.

Get your copy of Practical Wisdom on richardesimmons3.com/books, on Amazon and locally at Seibel’s and Little Professor in Homewood.

Watch the video below to learn more about why Simmons wrote Practical Wisdom and more. †

Best Books

In a remarkable transformation, The Readable Bible presents God’s Word in a format that aligns with today’s reading styles, marking the first complete format update in over a century. Not only does this Bible retain the accuracy of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, but it also offers a visually engaging layout—making Scripture approachable and deeply understandable.

Unlike traditional editions, The Readable Bible organizes its 23 types of Biblical information into 17 modern formats commonly used in nonfiction books today. From family trees for genealogies to tables for census figures and cascading text that naturally flows from verse to verse, The Readable Bible brings fresh clarity to each chapter. Readers are guided seamlessly from one thought to the next, uncovering deeper insights and gaining a richer understanding of Scripture.

Now available in both paperback and leatherette editions, it’s the perfect Christmas gift for anyone seeking to explore God’s Word in a new and accessible way.

Key Features Include:

• Family Trees for genealogies
• Tables for census data and instructions
• Outline Format for Old Testament law
• Simplified Building Designs with easy-to-read schematics
• Clear Lists and Callouts to highlight essential themes
• Cascading Text for effortless readability
• Maps and Visual Aids to provide context and enhance comprehension

With The Readable Bible, readers experience Scripture as a blend of faithful accuracy and accessible, groundbreaking design, ready to deepen anyone’s journey of faith. Learn more about The Readable Bible at shop.ironstreammedia.com. †

Best Books

Jane Found on Jane Lane is a heartwarming true story of Jane, a stray dog who was found wandering on Jane Lane in Oklahoma. Tom Benz, the founder of Bridges of Faith, adopted Jane and took her to his Christian ministry for Ukrainian orphans. It was evident that Jane was special because the children at the ministry camp gravitated toward her. Animals like Jane have a unique universal trust among children. Most of the volunteers couldn’t speak the Ukrainian language to communicate but Jane had no problem.  

Benz has been involved in the Ukrainian orphan ministry for over 25 years. He would bring three different groups of orphans to Alabama for a month stay three times a year. Full-time volunteers would stay at the camp and minister to these orphans. When Russia invaded Ukraine, we could no longer bring orphans to our camp in Alabama. We transitioned into doing ministry in Romania where orphanages sought safety.

I always dreamed of writing a book. As I read to my second-grade class at West Jefferson Elementary, I often saw a sparkle in their eyes as the story captivated them. I thought then, one day I would write my own children’s book. I retired from teaching in 2017 and joined the Bridges of Faith ministry. As I petted Jane one day, I realized I could tell the story of Bridges of Faith through a dog’s eyes.

So, I began writing stories of her life at the camp with the orphans and Jane Found on Jane Lane was born. I wanted my theme to highlight the power of God’s love expressed in kindness and how it can transform lives. When I’m reading my book at libraries and schools, I always tell children that sometimes all it takes is for you to give someone a simple hug or show kindness and it will brighten their day. I reinforce this idea at the end of the book where you will find Ephesians 4:32 ESV, “Be kind to one another…”

Presently, Bridges of Faith operates a school in Romania for Ukrainian orphans and other Ukrainian refugee children. A portion of the proceeds from Jane Found on Jane Lane will go to these children in Romania. The book is written in memory of David, an orphan, who came to know the love of God at Bridges of Faith. David died as a soldier in the war against Ukraine. To learn more about Jane Found on Jane Lane, visit www.servicedogjane.com. 

-Nancy Long Benz

Author of Jane Found on Jane Lane

Best Books

Would it surprise you to discover you share something in common with professional athletes? Goal Line Devotions by Del Duduit invites you to dress out and join the faith huddle with some of the NFL’s most prolific players. These men may be superstars and fantastic athletes on the field, yet at their core, they are men of faith. Men who face daily struggles and challenges, like you. Men who choose to rely on God, like you. Men who dig deep and keep their faith moving downfield toward victory. If you need inspiration to dig deep and keep moving downfield, join the team and let them inspire you to persevere. 

Sure, people want to talk about their successes on the field, but in Goal Line Devotions, it’s the stories of faith that will inspire you to be a better person every day. Learn from All-Pro and Pro-Bowl players like Jalen Ramsey, Melvin Ingram, Jessie Bates III, Trey Henrickson, and Damar Hamlin how to find strength for challenges, hope for the future, and courage to push through to victory. See how Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts shake off struggles to be victorious in life. Once you realize these athletes serve the same Lord as you and face similar challenges, you too can join the team and keep pushing, keep moving, and go for the goal line!

Author Del Duduit is an award-winning author and sportswriter and covers the NFL for his newspaper. His work has been recognized by the Ohio Associated Press and the Ohio Prep Sports Writers Association. He has covered Super Bowls as well as the Final Four and major PGA events, but he enjoys broadcasting high school football games on local radio.

Visit shop.ironstreammedia.com to learn more about Goal Line Devotions. †

Best Books

Trusting a cop could open a new door to danger… But what if it’s her only chance at freedom? First-grade teacher Riley Vreeland is terrified. When the attention from a recent acquaintance escalates from creepy to threatening, she flees to Village Green. With its limited employment, housing, and amenities, the tiny town is the last place someone would choose to settle. And hopefully, it’s the last place her stalker will look.

Serving and protecting the people of Village Green is hard-wired into police officer Sam Walker’s DNA. The new teacher’s fearful response to him and his offer to help sets his suspicions on high alert. What is she hiding? He’s determined to find out. After Sam delivers a stray dog to her, Riley softens toward the nosy cop. It’s hard to hate the man who supplied her with her four-footed best friend. And his rapport with her first graders is heartwarming. Riley is tired of looking over her shoulder. Can she trust the small-town superhero with her secret, or will the loyalty she admires in him bring danger to her door?

Award-winning author Nancy Lavo credits both her love for happy endings and a community college fiction-writing course for jump-starting her publication journey. When she’s not writing, which happens more often than it should, Lavo can be found enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, reading cookbooks cover to cover, or grabbing lunch with friends. She married her college sweetheart, and they have three wonderful children and eight delightful grandchildren. She and her husband make their home in the great state of Texas.

Lavo loves happy endings and describes the tone of her books as “Light. Think Hallmark movie with a side of Jesus.” To learn more about The Perfect Getaway, book three in the Lone Star Loves series, visit shop.ironstreammedia.com. †

Best Books

College football fans have welcomed Birmingham’s own Emmy Award-winning ESPN sideline reporter Lauren Sisler into their homes weekly since 2016. For years, the popular journalist known for asking insightful questions and her signature “Sideline Shimmy” viral dance videos, shielded a tragic secret. Her mother and father died within hours of each other, victims of their hidden battle with prescription-drug addiction. She’s now put the experience and the truths she’s learned from it to paper in her new book, Shatterproof: How I Overcame the Shame of Losing My Parents to Opioid Addiction (and Found My Sideline Shimmy). 

“It’s a deeply personal and painful story, one I’ve shared for a while now in speeches across the country, but the book goes into depth I can’t get into on the stage,” Sisler says. “I’m excited to finally be able to place the story, painful as it is, into the hands of readers- because I think it has the power to bring great healing to many, to help them learn to fall in love with their own stories.”

As Sisler shared her story in speeches, she realized that people often had more questions, and she wanted to be able to give them something to take home and lean into. She went back and forth on when to write Shatterproof. “I got to the point where I was ready to uncover the whole story,” Sisler says, adding that she found great freedom in owning and sharing her story. “I didn’t realize how much healing this process of writing a book would bring.” 

Sisler’s prayer for anyone that reads Shatterproof is that “they find strength and hope in their own stories. I hope that through my journey, readers realize they are not alone in their struggles and that resilience is within reach for us all. I pray they embrace their vulnerabilities, recognizing that our challenges do not define us but rather shape us into stronger, more compassionate individuals,” Sislers says, adding, “May they be inspired to share their own stories, using their voices to spark influence and positive change in their communities. Above all, I pray that each reader finds the courage to fall in love with their story and know that every chapter is stitched together as God’s masterpiece.” Shatterproof releases on October 1, 2024. It is available for preorder now at www.laurensisler.com. †