Best Books

At the risk of asserting what may be self-evident, I propose that if one aspires to be a disciple of Jesus, one should continuously dwell on the teachings of Jesus as found in the Gospels. Being saved and being a disciple are not the same thing. While our redemption may be anchored in the death and resurrection of Jesus, discipleship is anchored in what Jesus taught and did before He died. 

In her new book, The Blessed Life – A 90-Day Devotional Through the Teachings and Miracles of Jesus (B&H Publishing), Kelly Minter invites the reader to dwell in the ministry of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. The Blessed Life offers the reader a daily exposure to the actions and words of Christ before his death. Various stories, parables, healings, sermons, and teachings are covered in a gentle and thoughtful manner, leaving the reader with a better understanding of what it looks like to live this life as a follower of Jesus.

Here is a quote from Minter from her devotional on Jesus’ story of houses built on sand and rock. “Being a believer in Jesus’ gift of salvation results in being a doer of His teaching. This is the wise life, the house built on solid ground, the one that will endure because its foundation is on Him.  Do you believe in the things He’s taught you? Then go walk in them.” Reading the Gospels over and over throughout one’s life may seem like a recipe for monotony. The Gospels, however, are like the rest of the Bible. Regardless of how many times one reads them, there is always something new to discover, some un-noticed word that changes your perception, some truth your soul needs to hear again. Perhaps that is the nature of the literature, but I am inclined to believe it is often the work of the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit of Christ use The Blessed Life to enhance your faith and discover new riches in the teachings and ministry of Jesus, who beckons us ever forward in our journey of faith.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370

Best Books

The foundation of the Christian faith begins with family. Discipleship begins in the home. It is a crucial aspect of the Christian faith, as Jesus has commanded us to make disciples. God instructed us to love Him and His commands and to teach His commands to our children. D-Life is a valuable tool that parents can use to assist them in teaching their children about the Christian faith.

D-Life for Families guides parents through the New Testament in 52 weekly segments. It includes topics and questions for family discussion and prayer prompts pertinent to that week’s scripture. D-Life for Families is the latest addition to the D-Life resources designed to embrace a lifestyle of disciple-making. It is a simple, biblical, and reproducible process for equipping every believer for a lifestyle of disciple-making. D-Life Journals contain a full year of D-Life content. Write all your responses and keep up with everything that happens in your disciple-making groups in one concise journal. D-Life Journals are available for New Testament 1, New Testament 2, Old Testament 1, and Old Testament 2.

D-Life for Families author Josh Wilks serves as the College and Young Adult Pastor at Valleydale Church in Birmingham. He is passionate about equipping families to disciple their children and has a wealth of experience in that area. He has organized and led numerous marriage retreats, family events, and children’s discipleship programs over the years. He has devoted much of his life to pastoral studies and family discipleship. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kathi, are proud to be raising three incredible kids: Livingston, Roman, and Chapel. Learn more about D-Life for Families at shop.ironstreammedia.com. †

Best Books

It has been many years since the Duggar family became a reality show mega-hit. With nineteen children, the family’s everyday existence was a matter of fascination to a multitude of viewers. Adding to the mix was the Duggar family’s strong emphasis on their values and Christian faith. Some watched in admiration, others watched with horror and suspicion. Regardless of their motive, viewers turned the Duggar family into a household name and a monetary juggernaut. The children grew up in front of America until a scandal brought the show to an unseemly end.

Since the final airing, Jinger Duggar Vuolo’s spiritual life has been transformed for the better. Sadly, it was not the scandalous end that required the most healing, but the lifetime of bad theology that preceded it. Becoming Free Indeed is her story of finding a new way to be a Christian. As she moved away from the legalistic and fear mongering theology that held her in spiritual bondage her entire life, Vuolo found freedom in the person of Jesus. She developed a deep appreciation for the love of God and the compassion of Christ. She discovered a new way of reading the Scriptures. Foregoing the lens of fear and exclusion that permeated the hermeneutical process of her youth, Vuolo learned to study and read the Bible in a manner that brought hope, peace, and spiritual life.

Becoming Free Indeed is a testament to the grace of God, for only God can heal the damage inflicted by malformed Christianity. Regardless of how sincerely it is held, bad theology is destructive. It wrecks homes and churches, but what is most tragic is it wrecks individual people. Like the childhood Vuolo, there are multitudes of Christians who sit in churches every week who need to be saved not from their sins, but from their sincerely held doctrines about God and their fellow man. Becoming Free Indeed is a powerful proclamation that Jesus saves us in many ways, and sometimes he has to save Christians from their church.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370

Best Books

Is it possible for a book written nearly 2,000 years ago to maintain its intrinsic and vital impact? Is there a demarcation point when literature is deemed old-fashioned or even archaic? Carol McLeod, author of Timeless- The Living and Enduring Word of God, says “I love the Bible! As I was reading 1 Peter one day, I understood that Peter, through the unction of the Holy Spirit, was writing to a bullied church in the midst of a Godless culture. I also realized that Peter was writing to our church today.”

The book of 1 Peter was written nearly two millennia ago- rarely does a book of that age speak to a current generation of readers. However, the book of 1 Peter is practical, hopeful, and as up-to-date as anything written today. The stunning component that sets the Word of God apart from other pieces of literature is that the Holy Spirit wrote it. The Bible is divinely inspired by the unction of the Holy Spirit and written on paper through the hands of ordinary men. The words that the Holy Spirit spoke through Peter, the rock upon which Christ would build His church, so long ago hold dynamic power for your life today. McLeod adds, “Timeless is different from other Bible studies because, while it is theology, it is also personal, practical, and hopeful. Timeless makes the black-and-white Word of God jump off the page in technicolor enthusiasm. I hope that women will fall in love with the Word of God. I hope it will light a fire in their hearts to lovingly handle Scripture and to be amazed at the truth in the Word of God. I also hope that Timeless will give women the tools to make it through the searing fires in life with great joy.” 

McLeod is a popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She is a prolific author and loves digging for truth in the Word of God. Rooms of a Mother’s Heart was released in 2021, winning the 2022 Director’s Choice Award from the Blue Ridge Writer’s Conference. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming.  She is also a devotional writer for YouVersion with 25 devotionals in current circulation. Learn more about McLeod at www.carolmcleodministries.com. †

Best Books

In the Judaic tradition, there are two annual events that commemorate the deliverance of the Jewish people from oppression. Passover observes their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt, and Purim celebrates their deliverance from a genocidal plot in Persia. Remembering God’s deliverance from slavery or oppression is deeply embedded in the salvation history of God’s people, and it is a theme continued in the ministry of Jesus. Whenever God rescues people in dramatic and historic form, we should “tell our children and our children’s children.” 

On June 19th, 1865, the still enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were informed that they were free, ending centuries of government sanctioned bondage, assault, cruelty, molestation, and oppression. In keeping with the tradition of remembering what God has done, Free at Last (Union Square Kids) is a beautifully illustrated children’s book about the day freedom finally came to Galveston – a day which our nation now celebrates as Juneteenth. Along with the impressive illustrations by Alex Bostic, the text by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle poetically tells the story of their deliverance from evil. Here is a passage about how the men and women rejoiced when they learned of their freedom. “Some went to the nearest place of the Lord- to some hollow place in the brush or to a clearing in a grove where folk gathered ‘neath a still standing tree and sang, “Thank you, Jesus, for delivering me.”

Whenever anyone proclaims good news to the poor, liberates the captive, or rescues those who are oppressed, they are echoing the ministry of Jesus and heralding the gospel as Jesus himself defined it. The end of slavery in 1865 was such an echo, and it is right and just to remember how God heard the cry of his people. Free at Last is a beautiful way of telling our children and our children’s children what God has done.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370

Best Books

Is it your goal to gain fresh revelation and insight from God’s Word this year? Or perhaps you have been praying…

• for your family to be ignited with a passion to carry out the Great Commission
• to witness your loved ones dive into God’s Word, know God more intimately, & have a clearer understanding of Scripture
• to move out of a spiritual dry spell & regain the joy of living for Christ

If so, we’re excited to share with you a new Bible translation that can help you understand Scripture and draw closer to God like never before! The Readable Bible is designed to be an accessible, non-intimidating way to engage with Scripture. The easy-to-read format and modern language makes this the perfect Bible for your loved ones who may be hesitant to pick up an older translation. Even those who have studied God’s Word for decades will gain deeper insight from this new modern-day translation.

The visual formatting along with the charts, maps, and graphics reinforce reading comprehension and aid in the retention of information. No longer will you find yourself skimming lengthy and difficult-to-understand Scriptures. Instead, this unique format will create a desire to absorb and comprehend every sentence. Encourage a fresh vigor for God’s Word in your family, church groups, or even your personal study by using The Readable Bible! †

Best Books

During the next few weeks there will a multitude of young graduates who will start the journey into adulthood. Some will continue their education, some will join the workforce, some will start a family. The decisions they make within the next few years will impact the trajectory of their life for decades. As they begin this new phase of life, the spiritual maturity and health of these young adults is paramount.

The Student Life Application Bible is designed to enhance the spiritual growth of anyone who seeks to deepen their understanding of the Scriptures. Designed to be both substantive, yet not overwhelming, The Student Life Application Bible contains over 27,000 study notes, hundreds of maps, graphs, and illustrations, dozens of key articles covering the basics of the Christian faith, and other features designed to increase one’s knowledge of the scriptures and the story of God’s work in human history. It also allows access to a powerful Bible app containing even more study aids, videos, and devotionals. The Student Life Application Bible uses the clear and accurate New Living Translation, making the Bible easy to understand.

Although The Student Life Application Bible is not written specifically for young adults, it is an excellent first-time study Bible and I highly recommend it for graduates as they start a new chapter in their walk with Jesus. These young disciples are the next generation of adult disciples in the kingdom of Jesus. Let’s send them out into the world with a firm grasp and appreciation of the Scriptures which define our faith.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370

Best Books

The secret to a more joyful life might surprise you. Relationships. It’s that simple. The more rooted your relationship with Christ and deeper your connection with others, the more your joy will increase. Those who have strong relationships live a happier and more fulfilled life.

In Rooted Joy: Prioritizing Your Connection to Christ and Your Friends, best-selling author Becky Harling invites you to experience the deeply rooted joy promised in the book of Philippians. In this study you’ll learn how to overcome loneliness and isolation.

Harling has a degree in biblical literature and is a popular speaker at retreats and conferences. Her life experience as a pastor’s wife, parent, grandparent, women’s ministries leader, and a survivor of breast cancer all bring depth and transparency to her message. A best-selling author, Harling is the author of many books including, How to Listen So People Will Talk and The Extraordinary Power of Praise.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your girlfriends, open your Bibles, and watch and see what God will do! Learn more about Rooted Joy at shop.ironstreammedia.com. 

Best Books 

Parenting children can be frustrating and overwhelming. Desperate for a break? You’re not alone. Wish someone would hand you a parenting manual? In Commonsense Parenting, Jerry David, Sarah K. Mwania, and Shirley David outline a proven system for parenting. They share seven solid principles that have guided their families through three generations.

1. The Principle of Honor

2. The Importance of Values

3. The Principle of Discipline

4. The Principle of Healthy Emotional Well-Being

5. The Principle of Good Communication

6. The Principle of a Strong Work Ethic

7. The Principle of Letting Go at the Right Time

In our ever-changing culture, truth is often blurred or unrecognizable. Use these guidelines and timeless tools to equip your children to be blessings as they grow and mature into positive influencers.

Jerry David and his wife, Susan, have been married for 48 years and have raised two children. They founded and pastored Lincoln City Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. This book is drawn from their upbringing as well as pastoring. The principles found in this book are a result of those childhood years, the raising of their own children and countless hours and encounters with families in distress as a pastor. Sarah K. Mwania and her husband, Solo, pastor a thriving congregation in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her influence through her coaching and social media content, Our Tribe of Many on YouTube, has benefitted thousands with weekly insights into managing a home with 11 children. Shirley David and her husband, Al, enjoy an honored place in a family that produced four children, 12 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Shirley’s insight and creativity in raising her children has produced a legacy where all the generations still seek her advice and common sense. Commonsense Parenting is available wherever books are sold. †

Best Books 

I have been in the Christian bookstore business for over forty years. That’s a long time. It’s long enough to remember receiving a new book from Lifeway written by a new author named Beth Moore. I remember putting a few copies on a shelf in the back of the store, unsure as to whether they would be of interest to anyone or end up being returned. They were, of course, never returned.

Since that day, millions of Moore books and Bible studies have been sold. Churches of all denominations have used her videos, hundreds of thousands of women from all denominations have attended her events, and for many years her name was synonymous with Baptist Bible study. Few Bible teachers, if any, both male and female, have taught more people about the Bible than Moore. For two decades, Moore ministered to multitudes. She was the most prominent woman in the Southern Baptist denomination. Nobody else was even close. My, how things have changed. In her new memoir, Moore shares her story. In All My Knotted-Up Life (Tyndale), Moore offers a thoughtful and deeply personal account of her journey. It is, at times, brutally sad and painful. It is also filled with joy and humor. I laughed aloud many times, got indignant on her behalf, was filled with remorse at the depths of pain in this world, and sat back in awe at the grace of God found in her story. The last chapter is so moving I fought back tears.

All My Knotted-Up Life is the best memoir I’ve ever read. That needs repeating. In my forty years of Christian bookselling, with decades of reading biographies both religious and secular, All My Knotted-Up Life is the best memoir I’ve read. If you are a fan of Moore, you need to read her book. If you despise Moore, you really need to read her book. Whether you’ve read every book by her or have no idea who she is, whether you are a man or a woman – I can assure you that All My Knotted-Up Life will be worth your time. You will have a better understanding of not just one of the more interesting figures within American Christianity, but of how God uses ordinary people, with all our limitations and baggage, to bring grace into the world.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370