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. †