New book: Life Lessons from Revelation by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from Revelation by Max Lucado - The end of the world. How do you react to that thought? Does it make you afraid? Excited? Nervous? Full of anticipation? Full of peace? The apostle John was privileged to preview the end of the world. While in exile, he experienced an amazing vision that gave him a glimpse of heaven. He saw the final battle of good and evil. He saw God's justice. He witnessed the assured victory for believers in Christ as all hell broke loose and all heaven came forth. He saw Jesus, born in a manger, now triumphant over Satan. John's description stretches our imagination, fuels our anticipation, and comforts us as we await the final curtain call.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from Revelation

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 108 LUC

New book: Life Lessons from 1, 2 & 3 John & Jude by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from 1, 2 & 3 John & Jude by Max Lucado - What inspires you? A personal motto? A quote that directs your daily life? The letters written by the apostle John and Jude focused on two simple words that define our life and permeate our actions: love and truth. These letters are full of insights and direction along with warnings and encouragement . . . all based on these two words. These words remind us that God supplies all we need. That there is a real purpose to generosity. That there are times to be tolerant and times to take a stand. That faith includes certainties. Love and truth remind us of the life-changing power in the gospel message. Want a guide to how to live? Study John and Jude's letters of love and truth.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from 1, 2 & 3 John & Jude

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 108 LUC

New book: Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Peter by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Peter by Max Lucado - Has your peace been stolen? Dreams crushed? Hope lost? Life has a way of not turning out the way we want. The disciple Peter knew what it was like to go through tough times. He endured threats, punishment, time in jail, beatings, and false words. He had seen enough to know how to stay strong in tough times. So he wrote a survival manual to show how we should act and respond when life isn’t fair. His words of wisdom are beacons of hope for making it through hard times. Peter’s counsel may surprise you. But it may be just what you need to sustain you when you find that you are between the rock and a hard place.

Book information:
Title: Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Peter
Author: Max Lucado
Call number: 108 LUC

New book: Life Lessons from Hebrews by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from Hebrews by Max Lucado - The Jewish believers were torn between their new faith in Jesus and their old ways rooted in Old Testament routines and rituals. They were tempted to go back to their familiar life that seemed "good enough." But the author of Hebrews shows that when Jesus came, "the best got better." He skillfully compares these believers' old ways and their new faith, arguing that Christ is better in every way. He focuses on Jesus, his effective ministry, and his ultimate sacrifice, showing us that absolutely nothing compares to our incomparable Christ.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from Hebrews

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 108 LUC

New book: Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Thessalonians by Max Lucado

Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Thessalonians by Max Lucado - The church in Thessalonica was a study in contrast. They had been a quiet and holy people. But after a while, they had become restless and impatient. They needed direction on how to live. So Paul wrote the young church two letters. The first commended the believers for their faith and encouraged them to continue living according the gospel principles he had taught. The second letter was filled with helpful hints that corrected their wrong beliefs, assumptions, and behaviors. Whether we are living a quiet and holy life or one that leaves us restless and impatient, Paul's letters encourage us. They challenge us to remain faithful in a temporary world.

Book information:

Title: Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Thessalonians

Author: Max Lucado

Call number: 108 LUC

New book: Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck

Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck - This book presents the case for loving the local church. It paints a picture of the local church in all its biblical and real life guts, gaffes, and glory in an effort to edify local congregations and entice the disaffected back to the fold. It also provides a solid biblical mandate to love and be part of the body of Christ and counteract the "leave church" books that trumpet rebellion and individual felt needs.

Why We Love the Church is written for four kinds of people—the Committed, the Disgruntled, the Waffling, and the Disconnected. 

Book information: 
Title: Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion
Authors: Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
Call number: 261 DEY

New book: The Rule of Love by Jonathan Leeman

The Rule of Love: How the Local Church Should Reflect God's Love and Authority by Jonathan Leeman - Our culture's view of love--with no boundaries or judgments or conditions-- justifies whatever our hearts want and whatever our hearts feel, rejecting any authority that gets in the way. Falsely heralded as the only path to true self-expression and self-realization, this kind of love diminishes--if not completely redefines--the holy love of God revealed in the Bible.

In this book, Jonathan Leeman directs us toward a biblical definition of love by answering critical questions: How is love commonly misunderstood? What is God's love like and why is it offensive? And how does all of this relate to the church? In an age of consumerism, individualism, and tribalism, Leeman demonstrates how God showcases his holy love and authority to a watching world through the lives of his people living in true community with one another as the church.

Book information:

Title: The Rule of Love: How the Local Church Should Reflect God's Love and Authority

Author: Jonathan Leeman

Call number: 261 LEE

New book: Eternity is Now in Session by John Ortberg

Eternity is Now in Session by John Ortberg - Something in us is waiting--for what, we don't know. Something different? Something better?

For Christians, perhaps the deepest expression of what we're waiting for is found in the phrase "eternal life." But what is eternal life? Why do we want it? And how do we know if we have it?

In Eternity Is Now in Session, bestselling author John Ortberg dispels the myth that eternal life is something way out in outer space that we can only hope to experience after we die--and that being saved is merely about meeting the minimal entrance requirements for getting into heaven. Instead, John unpacks the reality that the moment we trust Christ, we are initiated into "eternal living" with God as a here and now reality, one that will continue beyond our life on this earth.

Jesus defined eternal life just once, in John 17:3: ". . . that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." The kind of "knowing God" that is eternal life is an interactive relationship, not just an affirmation of certain facts about God. Once we begin the transformative journey of truly knowing God, we can start to experience His presence, favor, and resurrection power right here on this earth--in the details, tasks, and challenges of daily, ordinary life.

And as we begin to know God this way, we'll realize each moment of our lives is a vehicle to the eternity we've been longing for all along.

Book information:

Title: Eternity is Now in Session

Author: John Ortberg

Call number: 201 ORT

New book: The Eternal Current by Aaron Niequist

The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning by Aaron Niequist - A call for Christians to move past the shallows of idealized beliefs and into a deeper, more vibrant, beatitude-like faith rooted in sacred practices and intimate experiences with God.

When the limits of his own faith experience left him feeling spiritually empty, Niequist determined God must have a wider vision for worship and community.

In his search, Aaron discovered that there was historical Christian precedent for enacting faith in a different way, an ancient and now future way of believing. He calls this third way "practice-based faith."

This book is about loving one's faith tradition and, at the same time, following the call to something deeper and richer. By adopting some new spiritual practices, it is possible to learn to swim again with a renewed sense of vigor and divine purpose.

Book information:
Title: The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning
Author: Aaron Niequist
Call number: 201 NIE

New book: Holy Roar by Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead

Holy Roar by Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead - In the ancient world something extraordinary happened when God s people gathered to worship him. It was more than just singing; it was a declaration, a proclamation, a time to fully embody praise to God for who he is and what he has done. In fact, in the Psalms, there are seven Hebrew words that are translated into the English word praise each of which represents a different aspect of what it means to truly praise God. In Holy Roar, Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead share a fresh perspective from the worship practices of the ancient world. Grow in your understanding of praise as Darren offers unique insights. Be inspired as Chris shares how those insights take shape in the stories behind some of your favorite worship songs, including How Great Is Our God, We Fall Down, and Good Good Father. Whether for your own personal use or for use in your church small group, Holy Roar provides insight and encouragement to deepen your practice of praise. Follow along as Chris and Darren lead you to the throne room of God. Join their invitation. Become a part of the Holy Roar.

Book information:

Title: Holy Roar

Author: Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead

Call number: 241 TOM