For the Tough Times by Max Lucado

I have just finished reading the book For the Tough Times, by Max Lucado. Max is a wonderful wordsmith and once again, he does not disappoint! Though it is a small book, it is packed full of wisdom, truth and hope, ringing true the adage big things come in little packages.

What a timely book, addressing the difficulty of Nation, and even the whole world, is facing right now. Max agrees that yes, times are tough right now, but guess what? God is still on the throne! Throughout the ages people have faced difficult and trying times, but God is still with us. This little book encourages us to reach out to God in the best way possible – prayer. Using Scripture, it assures us that our prayers will be heard and that hope, peace and understanding are ours to be had.

My favorite part of this little book is the prayer included at the end, called Do It Again, Lord: A Prayer for Troubled Times. It is adapted from a prayer written for America Prays, which occurred just a few days after 9/11/01. It fit then and it fits now. I loved it then and I love it now. This is a great little book of encouragement. Thanks again, Max!

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For the Tough Times
by Max Lucado

When tragedy strikes, people desperately search for answers. Believers and unbelievers alike find themselves turning to God. Best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado points to the only real answer to tragedy and crisis: Prayer. In For the Tough Times, Lucado helps us understand how to pray despite our doubt and fear.

It's Not About Me by Michelle Sutton

This is a fantastic story for young adults. It’s edgy and real and doesn’t shy away from the issues that teens deal with today – sex, violence, rape, substance abuse, even teenage pregnancy. And for parents, just because your child isn’t talking about the issues doesn’t mean they’re not dealing with them one way or another. It also clearly deals with the fact that just because a child grows up in a Christian home, does not mean that they know Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior. This book has a lot of twists and turns, pain and joy, and betrayal and forgiveness. The characters are real and likeable. It makes for a great read for anyone, but more specifically for the target audience of young adults.

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It’s Not About Me
By Michelle Sutton

Michelle is Editor-in-chief for Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Sheaf House Marketing Director, a member of ACFW, an edgy fiction writer, a book reviewer, an avid blogger/alliance member, CWOW blog mistress, mother of two teenagers, wife, pet owner, social worker by trade, and follower of Jesus Christ. For more information on everything Michelle is involved in, please visit her Edgy Inspirational Author Blog.

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When a young woman's life is shattered by a brutal attack, she is torn between two brothers, both of whom claim to love her. She is attracted to both, but which one does she love? How can she choose when her decision may cause a permanent rift between them? And more important, will she give her heart to the One who will sustain her even when human love fails?

Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3

Ok, so this isn’t a book you read, but what a brilliant concept! To take the living Word of God, and bring it to life for the digital generation! With a stellar cast of young actors, the Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set is the perfect outreach tool for young adults both inside and outside the church walls! To hear it played out further dramatizes the New Testament for anyone, but especially those who’ve grown up with more videos and video games, than books.

It is formatted in a set of 3 MP3 CD’s, along with a fantastic bonus “Behind the Scenes” DVD. There are over 23 hours of New Testament drama on these 3 CD’s and it includes a 40 day listening program, or schedule. The stars involved include Jordan Sparks as Elizabeth, Cody Linley as Jesus, Annasophia Robb as Mary Magdalene, Emily Osment as Mary the mother of Jesus, with Sean Astin as the Narrator and Max Lucado and daughter Jenna doing the book introductions, as well as many others who are involved.

This will make a great gift for any young person. It communicates with them in a format they are accustomed to. In addition, it is the perfect tool for parents, grandparents, and youth leaders to help their kids learn the Word of God and really connect with the Scriptures. I truly enjoyed this and highly recommend it to all who have young adults in their lives. This would make a great Christmas present and beyond that, it’s a great investment into the future of the next generation!

For more information, or to purchase, click here.

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Word of Promise Next Generation - New Testament Dramatized Audio Bible MP3-CD
Now the entire New Testament is ready for the Wired Generation.

Today's youth ingest media at a faster rate than any previous generation. And they can't get enough! The Word of Promise: Next Generation - New Testament is the perfect way for young multi-taskers to absorb Scripture. This ambitious recording makes the Word accessible to more kids than ever before.

Starring a Hollywood-level cast of young talent including Cody Linley (Hanna Montana, Dancing with the Stars) as Jesus, AnnaSophia Robb (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Mary Magdalene, Jordin Sparks (American Idol Winner) as Elizabeth, Cobin Bleu (High School Musical) as Peter, Alyson Stoner (Cheaper by the Dozen) as Martha, and narrated by Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings). The project includes informative book introductions by author Max Lucado and his daughter, Jenna Lucado, who is a speaker on the Revolve® Tour.

The Word of Promise: Next Generation is much more than just a word-for-word reading: it's an all-star cast performing audio drama with a rich original score and Hollywood special effects. When Jesus walks on the water, kids will feel like they're in the boat. When Peter waits in the courtyard during the Lord's trial, the fire will crackle. The ambient sounds of the Holy land, the breath-taking musical score, the world-class young actors and the timeless Word of Promise all combine to deliver an unparalleled achievement.

Set includes 24 hours of audio drama on 3 mp3 CDs and a bonus 75 minute Behind-the-Scenes DVD featuring interviews with the actors.

Billy

Billy is a wonderful book about two men, two friends, two crises of faith and the choices that were made which led to the sad dissolution of that friendship. Billy Graham and Charles Templeton were best friends and partners, working together as Evangelists for Youth for Christ. In the aftermath of the horror of World War II, each man faced and wrestled with his own crisis of faith. Each man made his choice, giving us the greatest Evangelist of our time, and perhaps all time, and giving us one of the greatest intellectual atheists to debate the existence of God.

This amazing book is based on the true story, yet reads like a novel. Especially poignant to me, is the scene which shows the turning point for Billy and his choice to believe that the just shall live by faith. I am so glad that I read this book and highly recommend it to anyone.

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Billy: The Untold Story of a Young Billy Graham and the Test of Faith that Almost Changed Everything


By William Paul McKay and Ken Abraham


A remarkable friendship.
An agonizing betrayal.
The true story of a crisis of faith.


Charles Templeton was one of the greatest preachers of the mid-twentieth century, and a friend and mentor to a young Billy Graham. He was also in the early stages of becoming an atheist.

Based on the remarkable true story, Billy is the untold account of the early years of Billy Graham and the relationship between these two extraordinary men told from the perspective of a dying Charles Templeton.

Reminiscing to a reporter from his hospital bed in 2001, the haunted Templeton recounts Billy’s simple beginnings, the moving love story of Ruth Bell, the moves of “chance” and the divine blessing that brought him success, and the grown of their friendship.

Together, they had envisioned plans to win the world for Christ. But life brought them both to a crisis of faith.

You already know how the Billy Graham story turns out. Billy tells of a moment in history when things might have turned out very differently.