I first read Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God" when I was a teenager. That book changed me, so I was really excited to learn about his new book on the resurrection. I've started reading it, but because my life has been so unbelievably hectic this last month, I haven't finished it yet. I still want to share it with you now. Here's the publisher's summary: What does the resurrection of Christ really mean for us? What does it reveal about the heart and mind of God? And what real differences can the miracle of the resurrection make in your life today? Discover answers to those and other questions as you examine God’s Word with this companion study guide to the book Experiencing the Resurrection by Henry Blackaby and Melvin Blackaby. Packed with practical notes, advice, and questions for reflection, this highly interactive guide—ideal for small group or individual use—shows you how to witness Christ’s resurrection in and through your life. Each chapter of the...

I feel the need to preface this post with the disclaimer that I don't read much fiction. (My shelves are filled with history and alternative medicine books.) I read even less Christian fiction, so Death of a Six Foot Teddy Bear was a small adventure for me. As I expected, Christian fiction (and, I suppose, secular popular fiction) has some slightly different elements from my usual literary fare. (Parts of the dialogue sound like they were taken directly from my youth leader's mouth.) This is the second book in Susan Dunn's Bargain Hunters series, and the story is centralized around Ginger and friends in the Bargain Hunter's Network. In this adventure, they go to Calamity, Nevada for a convention, outlet shopping, and the world's largest yard sale. They end up in the middle of a murder investigation repleat with some rather outlandish moments. Overall, this book was a delightful read. I am character driven in my fiction, and I need a book to have memorable character...

C.D. Baker's latest book, 101 Cups of Water begins, I can't live the Christian life. Don't tell anyone, but I've tried and tried and I can't. I haven't loved God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and I certainly haven't loved my neighbors as myself. That simple admission was all I needed to keep reading through these brief essays about faith and spirit. As I combed through the book, I was relieved to know that someone else feels the same frustrations with limitations (A Cup of Reality) and shame at bouts with depression (A Cup of Health). The writing is refreshingly honest, like when he admits that Jesus sometimes bores him (A Cup of Excitement). This is my brand of Christianity--the place where we can be honest with ourselves, with each other, and with God about who we are and the workings of our souls. After all, the One who created us knows us better than we know ourselves. Then there are the pictures! Each essay has an accompanying picture that relate...

For the last few weeks, I've been reading a book called, For Parents Only . It's appeared in my life at an interesting time. This is my fifth year as a middle school teacher, so I've seen first hand the delightful changes adolescence brings on a daily basis. My oldest nephew officially became a teenager this year, and it's been interesting to see these very same changes in him—and listening to my sister's side of things. Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa Rice have written an amazing book. Don't let the title mislead you. If you live with or work with teenagers, you should read this book. The writers conducted a nationwide survey of teens about their thoughts on everything from rules to rebellion and what's going on inside their head. I enjoyed many of the comments, especially the kids' insights into the way their parents discipline (or don't discipline) effectively. In my classroom, I've since found myself stopping before writing out a detention slip to ...