Best Books

Have you ever wanted to read through the Bible, but you don’t know where to start? ReviveDAILY- Year 1 and 2 may be just the devotional to start your journey through the Bible and take you deeper in your walk with Jesus!

About four years ago, the Lord led my husband, Kyle and I and the ministry we are a part of, Time to Revive, on a two-year journey through the Bible, similar to Paul in Acts 19 when he decided to study and lecture with the disciples for two years in the Hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9-10). We called the two-year journey through the Bible, www.reviveSCHOOL.org, and students gathered to join us in Indiana and some online.  Chapter by chapter, seven days a week for two years, we intentionally studied and asked the Lord to reveal who is Jesus as the Messiah in every book of the Bible. My husband and a handful of pastors and teachers taught a daily 29-minute recorded audio and video lesson, some team members wrote study questions and notes, Mindi Oaten painted the books of the Bible, and I wrote a daily devotional.

What an incredible journey with the Lord to spend this time in the Word daily and seek His heart through the Word. It reminds me of the verses in Psalm 1:2-3, “Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted besides streams of water, that bears fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” After those two years, we didn’t know how the Lord would use www.reviveSCHOOL.org. However, the Lord has now taken the study resources around the world to over 13,000 students in 56 countries. Students are added to this number daily as new students are hungry to go deeper in the Word and understand scripture!  

I believe now is the time for believers to remain rooted and grounded in the Word, sitting with Jesus so that we can stand strong for the Lord. As you spend time in His Word, you become like a tree planted beside the water. When you become weary and you want to lose heart or the schemes of the enemy get you down or distracted, you have the strength needed to hear His voice, stand strong in the Lord and in the truth of His Word! I pray reviveDAILY- Year 1 and Year 2 will encourage you to remain steadfast through the Word of God!  

-Laura Kim Martin 

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Marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts to humankind. But also, quite possibly, the most challenging relationship we will face on this side of heaven. Whether you’re newlyweds or 30 years in, marriage requires intentionality, commitment, and dedication for it to flourish and be the refuge God intended it to be. When our marriages are strong and healthy, that’s exactly what it is—a refuge of peace in your heart and home. After 25 years of marriage, I’ve discovered the importance of guarding my marriage from the things that might destroy it by intentionally cultivating peace in our home. Here are three ways you can do the same for your marriage.

1. Identify the Pitfalls to Cultivating Peace. “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Solomon 2:15 It doesn’t take much to trip us up in the peace we long for in our homes. Whether we are faced with stress from illness or a job, hurt feelings or pressures from parents and in-laws or any other disappointment or discouragement, many times we forget to be aware that these pitfalls can happen often. They can take the form of missed expectations, parenting struggles and financial stress. Pitfalls are rarely singular events! Many times, they run in tandem and can be overwhelming. Guard your heart and home by being forewarned about these pitfalls. 

2. Understand the root of the struggle for peace. Ultimately the answer to why cultivating peace in our homes is so difficult is found in the Garden of Eden. Because of the sin that entered the world, there is no longer perfection to be found on this earth. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t burn the bread, yell at the kids or be angry at our husbands. But the world we live in is fallen and we are too. Jesus even told us in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Be aware of your own failure to be truthful and honest – this sinfulness will harm your relationship with each other.

3. Prepare to Battle to Cultivate Peace in Your Heart and Home. Rather than being blindsided by the challenges of marriage, instead we can be armed with the knowledge that we must prepare now to deal with the trials that come later. When we prioritize our time with God in His word and in prayer, He will be the one to do the work in our marriage to bring Him glory. Don’t neglect this power – the same power that brought Jesus back from the grave is the same power that can bring life and wholeness to your marriage today!

I pray you’ll be encouraged to be on guard! Prioritize your marriage and do your part to cultivate the peace you crave in your heart and home. Explore this topic more in my new book that is available now, Guard Your Heart and Home: Pursuing Peace in Your Living Space. 

-Victoria Duerstock 

www.victoriaduerstock.com

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In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, things were pretty grim. Political problems were compounded by the people’s propensity to belief falsehoods, religious leaders were at war with one another, and the judgement of God was gathering like a hurricane over the distant horizon. In the middle of the weeping prophet’s unpopular proclamations of impending woe, we encounter a verse that contains hope and assurance. “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”  In the middle of the chaos and confusion and lies and treachery, God makes an astounding promise. If we come to Him with sincere and committed hearts, He will welcome our prayers. God will listen.

Sarah Young’s new release, Jesus Listens (Thomas Nelson Publishing), is a devotional offering daily prayers with scripture references to support the substance of each prayer. As the author of Jesus Calling, I believe I am safe in saying that no single person has ministered more hope and spiritual comfort to the people of God in the last twenty years than Young. Her books have encouraged multitudes during times of heartbreak, anxiety, and trauma. She a modern Barnabas, a daughter of encouragement. In Jesus Calling, Young wrote words of hope from God’s perspective. In Jesus Listens, she writes prayers from the reader’s perspective. I have no doubt that God will continue to use her writing to strengthen the faith of many people in the years to come.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370

Best Books

Authors Katy Shelton and Anna Nash go way back. Soon after they were born in Birmingham, their mothers connected and Anna’s mother led Katy’s mother to Jesus. Katy and Anna became childhood friends, high school friends, and college roommates. Many years later, they found themselves at that empty-nest, middle stage in life and they both wanted more. They didn’t want to settle down or retire, they wanted to start over, to begin anew. They wanted to make a difference.

Anna founded a ministry called Beacon People and Katy discovered a new passion for writing and editing. That’s when their lives once again merged. Anna needed an editor for Beacon People, Katy needed to hone her new skills, and so the collaboration began. In 2016, a beautiful and meaningful working partnership was born. 

Fast forward a few years to a new idea for a project: a book intended to help place focus on Jesus—His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection—at Christmastime. Anna accepted Katy’s challenge, they began writing, and that’s how their devotional Christmas Matters – How the Birth of Jesus Makes a Difference Every Day was born. The book parallels the 24 chapters in the gospel of Luke with the 24 days in December leading to Christmas. Their greatest desire was simply to help others focus on the Savior, the Messiah, during Christmas and beyond. 

Katy and Anna welcome you to join them on an exciting and inspiring journey this December as they celebrate Jesus’ birth and rejoice in His resurrection, and also this Spring as their series continues with Easter Matters – How the Resurrection of Jesus Changes You. Come discover how Jesus can make a difference in your life today and every day. †

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Long ago, the capital of world power was based in a city most people have never heard of. From the city of Susa, Xerxes ruled over an empire which covered almost half the world’s population and covered more territory than America. Living in the midst of the Persian empire were thousands of the descendants of God’s people who had been exiled from Judah. One of them was a beautiful Jewish girl who lived with her uncle. Her name was Esther, and her story changed the course of human history.

In his new book, You Were Made for This Moment (Thomas Nelson), Max Lucado tells the story of Esther, Mordecai, Haman and Xerxes. Although God is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, He is everywhere implied. Her story is one of innocence lost, of powerful men who are weak and foolish, of treachery and injustice and greed. But it is also a story which reflects the silent hand of God, moving behind the scenes and using ordinary people to rescue the oppressed and bring justice to evil. Living as a godly person in the Persian empire was a dangerous enterprise. The story of Esther and Mordecai reflects the tension between prudence and bravery. Knowing when to speak prophetically to power and when to stay silent is not always self-evident. It is a tension God’s people live with today.

Our Jewish brothers and sisters hold the story of Esther in very high regard. Perhaps it is because they feel the tension of living as a religious minority in a world dominated by other expressions of faith. I propose that they have something to teach us. A few hundred years after Esther risked her life to save a people living as strangers and aliens in an ungodly land, the Apostle Peter wrote that disciples of Jesus were a “chosen people, a royal priesthood” who were living as “strangers and aliens.” Whether we like it or not, Jesus has called his followers to be aliens and strangers in this world, a people who are set apart – forever standing on the edge of society and speaking prophetically to the powers of this world. Sometimes that means living quietly and in peace. Sometimes that means we must lift every voice and shout from the rooftops. May God give us wisdom to know the difference.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370

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In the Gospels, the people who stand out, who get it right and respond to the Gospel as they should, are almost always nameless. The presentation is consistent with a theme deeply embedded in the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus aligns himself with the weak and the meek, the lowly and the lonely. In the eyes of God, those who are last will be first, and the first are often last. In her book, The Way Up is Down (IVP Press), Marlena Graves is urging God’s people to discover afresh the counterintuitive message of the Gospel of Jesus. Following Jesus requires a lifestyle of humility, not only before God but also among one’s fellowman. It requires the foregoing of one’s “rights” as we seek the wellbeing of others. It is a lifestyle of constant repentance, prayer, forgiveness, and the desire to serve others rather than be served. Graves is concerned that arrogance, greed, and lust for significance and personal satisfaction have become pervasive in the church culture. I think she’s right. We are called to practice the kenotic life, a life of self-giving and sacrifice as modeled by Jesus. But do we? Are we known by our love, forbearance, forgiveness, and humility? Do non-Christians see people who follow the way of the cross? Are we famous for our compassion and generosity, or for our defiance, walls, and lust for political power? Are we known for welcoming others or for our fear and distrust? The Way Up is Down is a passionate plea for God’s people to take the example of Jesus seriously, to embrace the paradox that power is found in weakness, that significance is found in humility, and that esteeming others as more important than ourselves is how we live our best life.

It’s an upside-down way of living in a world driven by money and power and celebrity. Even church culture can succumb to the pressure to define ministerial “success” by prestige, influence, and attendance. In God’s eyes, the eloquent celebrity leaders of Christendom might be last, while the untrained, semi-literate preacher who bumbles his way through weekly sermons as he faithfully pastors a handful of folks in the backside of nowhere may be a rock star. Who knows? Perhaps, in heaven, the nameless woman at the well and the little boy who gave Jesus his lunch will have holidays declared in honor of their faith. I suspect Jesus will make sure it is quite a celebration.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370

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Introverts do so much well. They listen well, feel deeply, and think carefully. They also take delight in quiet and happily spend time alone. Yet even introverts need friends to support them through the rough patches, to challenge them to live well, to help them laugh. And God calls even introverts to live connected. No small challenge!

How can introverts live connected in a quiet, thoughtful sort of way? In her warm, conversational, story-loving voice, Afton Rorvik writes about creative and practical ways to embrace introversion as a friendship-building tool—in a quiet, thoughtful way, of course. Introverts (and those who love them) will find courage and challenge here to build life-giving friendships, one word at a time. 

Afton Rorvik savors words, flavored coffee, time outside, and living connected. She happily embraces her introversion as a gift and celebrates her courage-giving faith in God. Rorvik and her husband, John, have two adult children and love to walk and hike in Colorado.

Living Connected: An Introvert’s Guide to Friendship is available from NewHopePublishers.com and your favorite book retailers. 

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We live in a fractious and contentious time, and families are not immune from the political, social, and theological tensions which have swept over our society. One of the many divisions is a consequence of younger Christians moving from conservative theology to liberal or progressive theology. When families are divided about matters of faith, the emotional and relational toll can be consuming.

This month I’m enthusiastically endorsing a book that I don’t always agree with. The reason I’m encouraging others to read Another Gospel: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity by Alisa Childers (Tyndale) is quite simple – it is a true story that can inform both theologically conservative and theologically progressive Christians to better understand not only the nature of the debate between their two worlds but also the human dimension of the debate as well. Doctrines such as the authority of scripture, the nature of the atonement and the existence of an eternal afterlife are not simply academic. What one believes about such matters makes a difference in how one lives, dreams, prays, and engages the world.

Another Gospel is the fascinating story of a conservative woman’s encounter with progressive theology. Childers attended a progressive church for several months before deciding to return to her conservative expression of faith. The detour, although short-lived, rocked her world. It forced her to face questions she had never considered and to seek answers that were both intellectually consistent and biblically sound. It exposed weaknesses in not only her personal belief system, but also in the theological ethos in which she was raised.

Childers’ story is a cautionary biography that reveals the pitfalls and benefits of both sides of the debate between conservative and progressive Christians. There are aspects of both perspectives which should be applauded and embraced. There are aspects of both sides that should be viewed with concern. Her journey within both worlds changed her life. Interestingly, she did what very few conservatives do after being introduced to progressive theology – she came back to conservatism – albeit somewhat chastened.

In my network of friends and family, some are theologically conservative, and some are theologically progressive. Perhaps your family is the same. While their views are quite different on important matters of faith, both sides love God and take their faith seriously. I believe that both are represented within the body of Christ. May Christ our Shepherd bless conservative and progressive Christians to advance His kingdom, and may He start by bringing peace among His flock.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370

Best Books

Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation by Lori Wildenberg seeks to guide parents in giving children hope for mental health. Has your child said “I’m such a failure,” “No one cares about me,” “I haven’t felt happy for a long time,” or “I don’t want to live anymore,”? If you have heard your child utter these words, your fear for their well-being likely skyrocketed. But what can you do to help them? How can you give your child hope?

Some experts say that depression and anxiety are the new normal. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people. As parents, we cannot accept this. Many young people feel helpless and hopeless. Our kids must be equipped with more than resilience and positivity. They need hope. Hope for a future. Along with her daughter Kendra, parent and family educator Lori Wildenberg encourages you to take the practical ways offered in Messy Hope to foster necessary hope growth in your children’s hearts. This is more than a self-help book, this is your lifeline to help them overcome depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation to experience a hope-filled life.

Wildenberg, whose daughter wrestled with depression, is passionate about helping parents help their children navigate a messy life. Lori is a licensed parent and family educator, national speaker, and author or coauthor of six parenting books including Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home and The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections. Messy Hope is available wherever books are sold and NewHopePublishers.com. †

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Jesus knew some of his followers wouldn’t last. They heard the gospel and believed. They started out joyfully and strong. They were all in. But somewhere along the way they would quit. Troubles would come and their faith would be tested. Worries, money, or just plain sin would suffocate their spiritual life and they would fall away. It happened in Jesus’ day. It’s happened throughout church history. It still happens today- sometimes to our neighbors, friends or family. Perhaps it’s happened to you.

Sacred Endurance – Finding Grace and Strength for a Lasting Faith (Intervarsity Press) by Trillia J. Newbell is an excellent book for those who have grown weary in their faith. She offers practical advice and encouragement on running the race of faith well. When testing comes, when the road gets tough and the race seems long, when the world seems too powerful or the weight of sin and condemnation cause us to stumble, we can find hope and strength in Jesus and God’s grace. We can endure to the end. Jesus is faithful, ever ready to give us the strength we need for the journey.

Many years ago, a friend of mine preached a sermon that I still remember. The topic was about ending our faith journey well. Some followers of Jesus will quit. Some will abandon the faith, often crashing in dramatic fashion. But we don’t have to be like those Jesus warned about. Sacred Endurance reminds us that our Savior is a faithful Lord. In Jesus, there is grace and strength for a lasting faith. The prize is before us, so let’s run the race with hope, joy, and love.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com 

205-663-2370