New book: Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado

Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World by Max Lucado - Anxiety is at an all time high, but there's a prescription for dealing with it. Max Lucado invites readers into a study of Philippians 4:6-7 where the Apostle Paul admonishes the followers of Christ, "Do not be anxious about anything . . ."

Philippians 4:6 encourages the believer to "be anxious for nothing." As Lucado states, the apostle Paul seems to leave little leeway here. "Be anxious for nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero."

What's he suggesting? That we should literally be anxious for absolutely nothing? Lucado says, "The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. It's the life of perpetual anxiety that Paul wants to address. Don't let anything in life leave you perpetually in angst."

Americans especially know about living in perpetual anxiety. According to one research program, anxiety-related issues are the number one mental health problem among women and are second only to alcohol and drug abuse among men. Stress-related ailments cost the nation $300 billion every year in medical bills and lost productivity. And use of sedative drugs like Xanax and Valium have skyrocketed in the last 15 years. Even students are feeling it. One psychologist reports that the average high school kid today has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early 1950s.

"The news about our anxiety is enough to make us anxious," says Lucado. But there's a prescription for dealing with it. Lucado invites readers into a study of Philippians 4:6-7, the most highlighted passage of any book on the planet, according to Amazon:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

"With His help you will learn to face the calamities of life. You'll learn how to talk yourself off the ledge. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you will learn to view bad news through the lens of sovereignty; to discern the lies of Satan and tell yourself the truth. You will manifest a gentleness that is evident to others. Anxiety comes with life. But it doesn't have to dominate your life."

Book information:

Title: Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 201 LUC

New book: Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent and Barbara Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent and Barbara Hughes - Disciplines of a Godly Family covers such topics as establishing a solid family heritage, promoting affection between family members, encouraging godliness in children, using appropriate discipline, and helping children cultivate enriching lifelong habits. The Hugheses also offer tips for fun and affordable family vacations, creating family traditions, and starting a prayer notebook. They even give us a suggested list of books and videos that should be in every family's library.

For those struggling to parent their own children or to equip other parents for this task, a more practical, honest, and common-sense guide will be hard to find.

Book information:

Title: Disciplines of a Godly Family

Authors: Kent and Barbara Hughes

Call number: 240 HUG

New book: Disciplines of a Godly Young Man by R. Kent Hughes and Carey Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Young Man by R. Kent Hughes and Carey Hughes - Point blank, this is a punchy, no-holds-barred book for young men. Laying out the challenge to be disciplined, godly, and sold-out for Jesus, the authors talk about purity in your thought-life, cultural pressure, and perseverance as a Christian. Let father and son Kent and Carey Hughes help you live a life of integrity and become the man God is calling you to be.

Book information:

Title: Disciplines of a Godly Young Man

Authors: R. Kent Hughes and Carey Hughes

Call number: 240 HUG

New book: Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes - Life isn't always easy for women today! In the shuffle of so many responsibilities, it's easy to lose focus on pursuing godliness in every task. That's why a woman must train herself to reflect on everything she encounters and determine whether or not it encourages holiness. Her character, relationships, ministry, even her soul--all need to be examined and ultimately surrendered to God before she can develop the godly character she so desperately wants. Through poignant stories and faithful reminders, Barbara Hughes encourages women to discipline every area so that God is most glorified and they are most unified with Him.

Book information:

Title: Disciplines of a Godly Woman 

Author: Barbara Hughes

Call number: 240 HUG

New book: Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes - Our churches and homes need men willing to follow the path of godliness no matter what the cost. This inspiring, popular book has been speaking to the hearts of men for the past 10 years, and its words are still relevant. Using engaging illustrations, scriptural wisdom, practical suggestions and study questions, Kent Hughes offers a frank biblical discussion on major areas of Christian manhood: family, godliness, leadership, ministry and more. This newly revised edition is for every man who wants to know what it means to be a Christian in today's world.

Book information:

Title: Disciplines of a Godly Man

Author: R. Kent Hughes

Call number: 240 HUG

Announcement: New online catalog

New book: None Like Him by Jen Wilkin

None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That's a Good Thing) by Jen Wilkin - Human beings were created to reflect the image of God--but only to a limited extent. Although we share important attributes with God (love, mercy, compassion, etc.), there are other qualities that only God possesses, such as unlimited power, knowledge, and authority. At the root of all sin is our rebellious desire to be like God in such ways--a desire that first manifested itself in the garden of Eden.

In None Like Him, Jen Wilkin leads us on a journey to discover ten ways God is different from us--and why that's a good thing. In the process, she highlights the joy of seeing our limited selves in relation to a limitless God, and how such a realization frees us from striving to be more than we were created to be.

Book information:

Title: None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That's a Good Thing)

Author: Jen Wilkin

Call number: 131 WIL

New book: Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin - Many Christian women find great encouragement and joy in and through women's Bible studies. However, popular Bible teacher Jen Wilkin is concerned that sometimes we let our emotions rule our study of Scripture and forget that the Bible is primarily about God, not us. Challenging hungry women to go deeper in their study of Scripture, this book will help you refocus your efforts on feeding your mind first and foremost. Whether you're young or old, married or single, this accessible volume will energize and equip you for Bible study aimed at transforming both the heart and mind.

Book information:

Title: Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds 

Author: Jen Wilkin

Call number: 249.7 WIL

New book: In His Image by Jen Wilkin

In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character by Jen Wilkin - Best-selling author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin helps readers see what human beings are to be like as they reflect the image of their Creator. In His Image explores 10 attributes of God that Christians are called to reflect—they are called to be holy, loving, just, good, merciful, gracious, faithful, patient, truthful, and wise. This book calls readers to discover the freedom and purpose in becoming all that God made them to be.

Book information:

Title: In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character

Author: Jen Wilkin

Call number: 131 WIL

New book: Sharing the Truth in Love by Ajith Fernando

Sharing the Truth in Love: How to Relate to People of Other Faiths by Ajith Fernando - As Christians, we have been called by Christ to serve Him in a multi-faith world. But how can we effectively relate to and share the gospel with people of other faiths? This outstanding cross-cultural guide to evangelism in the twenty-first century directs Christians to respond sensitively and wisely to the cultures and beliefs of non-Christians of any nation. Christians, with the love of Christ, must oppose deception with the truth of God's Word. This thought-provoking and inspiring book will convince readers of the distinctiveness of the Christian faith and spur them to be effective witnesses for Christ in the world today.

Book information:

Title: Sharing the Truth in Love: How to Relate to People of Other Faiths

Author: Ajith Fernando

Call number: 264 FER

New book: Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin

Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God by Bob Kauflin - Nothing is more essential than knowing how to worship the God who created us. This book focuses readers on the essentials of God-honoring worship, combining biblical foundations with practical application in a way that works in the real world. The author, a pastor and noted songwriter, skillfully instructs pastors, musicians, and church leaders so that they can root their congregational worship in unchanging scriptural principles, not divisive cultural trends. Bob Kauflin covers a variety of topics such as the devastating effects of worshiping the wrong things, how to base our worship on God's self-revelation rather than our assumptions, the fuel of worship, the community of worship, and the ways that eternity's worship should affect our earthly worship.

Appropriate for Christians from varied backgrounds and for various denominations, this book will bring a vital perspective to what readers think they understand about praising God.

Book information:

Title: Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God

Author: Bob Kauflin

Call number: 241 KAU