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Joy Lutheran of Gurnee



Joy! Book Store

Here you can find books for all areas
of Christian living! Search through the titles below.

To purchase any book, just click on a book title to purchase it at Amazon.com.

If you've read a great Christian book and would like to add it, contact me at Webmaster@Joylutheran.org

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Bibles
Bible Study/Devotionals
Family/Parenting
Just for Men
Just for Women
Just for Couples
Just for Kids
Spiritual Growth/Self Discovery
Leadership
Fiction
Fiction for Kids


Bibles

  • Daily Study Bible for Women by Jill Briscoe (Editor) - Daily Study Bible for Women provides adult Christian women an opportunity to improve their understanding and obtain a fresh perspective of the Bible through daily study. Over 360 daily studies by Jill Briscoe guide readers to a Scripture passage and key verse designed to apply the passage to issues that influence women's lives. The devotionals are arranged in topical tracks that include "Hearing God's Voice," "God's Design for Marriage," and "Serving Others." The study includes a track outline to assist readers in navigating the daily studies, introductions for each book of the Bible, and other study helps to get women into the Bible easily every day.
  • NIV Men's Devotional Bible  Whether you're a father, grandfather, single or married, the NIV Men's Devotional Bible is written for you. It will encourage your personal relationship with God and increase your understanding of how he works in your life. Each weekday you read a brief devotional message together with a nearby Scripture passage. On the weekend, you'll find "Weekending," which combines a short, reflective devotion with Scripture readings for Saturday and Sunday. The NIV Men's Devotional Bible contains 52 weeks of devotions--an entire year that will challenge you, deepen your understanding of God, and help you serve him more faithfully. The NIV Men's Devotional Bible prepares you to live as a man of courage and vision. The NIV Men's Devotional Bible features the complete text of the New International Version, today's most popular modern translation, known for its accuracy and readability.
  • NIV Womens Devotional Bible - a review by Courtenay Kehn at Amazon - A daily devotional, a Bible, and a compassionate collection of thoughts and meditations for the modern woman all rolled into one, The Women's Devotional Bible is a truly heavenly package. Featuring the complete text of the New International Version of the Bible, a subject index, a reading plan, and introductions to each book, this Bible has everything you need to guide you in your regular devotions. But the additional thoughts, poems, and daily and weekend devotions from women serving God all over the world are exceedingly good encouragement to dive deeper into the Word and search for the heart of God in your own everyday life. In a time when it is increasingly difficult to separate what it means to be a woman of the Lord from the expectations of the world, this Bible holds out helping hands of rest, peace, hope, and strength.
  • NIV Womens Devotional 2 Bible - Book Description - A second volume of devotions written by and for today’s Christian woman, with complete NIV text - A year of devotions by favorite godly women - Author index with biographical information on each contributor, plus subject index.

Bible Study/Devotionals

  • A Long Obedience in the Same Direction : Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene H. Peterson - from an Ingram review - Throughout this exposition of selected Psalms, Eugene H. Peterson encourages steadfast discipleship, focusing on the themes of worship, service, joy, work and community.
  • Boomerang Joy : Joy That Goes Around, Comes Around - 60 Devotions by Barbara Johnson, John McPherson - Review: I picked this journal up for a friend for Christmas. When I got home I was thumbing through it and wanted to keep it for myself. She loved the journal. It has great opening lines to get you to think about what is really important. She is uplifting and lighthearted and most of all funny. Now I am ordering one for myself.
  • Every Teaching Of Jesus In The Bible by Larry Richards - Shows the relevance of Christ's teachings for believers today.
  • God's Little Devotional Book - The inspirational combination of quotes and Scriptures in this book has proven to be a popular and comfortable way to communicate not just man's insight, but also to include the wisdom of the ages---God's Word.
  • God's Words of Life From the NIV Mens Devotional Bible - From the Back Cover - Insights and promises from God's Word to guide and encourage you! Taken from the NIV Men's Devotional Bible, this topically arranged promise book includes Scripture verses and timely devotional thoughts. With contributions from: C.S. Lewis, James Dobson, Tom Landry, Orel Hershiser, Bill McCartney, Reggie White, Richard Halverson and other godly men, God's Words of Life gives practical wisdom for your life. This promise book is perfect for personal use or to share with a friend.
  • God's Words of Life from the NIV Womens Devotional 2 Bible - From the Back Cover - Promises and insights from God's Word to encourage and guide you! Taken from the NIV Women's Devotional Bible 2, this topically arranged promise book includes Scripture verses and timely devotional thoughts. With contributions from: Joni Eareckson Tada, Ruth Bell Graham, Emilie Barnes, Rosa Parks, Elizabeth Elliott, Ann Kiemel Anderson, Marjorie Holmes and other godly women, God's Words of Life gives practical wisdom for your life.
  • Praying the Scriptures by Judson Cornwall - from Ingram - One of the most frustrating aspects of prayer is finding the right vocabulary to express what is in your heart. Praying the Scriptures inspires, illuminates, gives imagery, intelligence, adds intensity, and provides intimacy in our prayers.
  • The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible by Stan Campbell, James S. Bell, James T. Dyet, Jim Bell - From a review by Benjamin Gebhardt - Jim Bell and Stan Campbell's success is largely due to their humorous and conversational writing style, as well as candid snapshots of what's actually in the Bible. Their treatment of the Old Testament in particular is both an intriguing and hilarious ride through the drama of biblical history… the Idiot's Guide is supplemented with an extensive index, advice on buying a Bible, and a day-by-day plan for reading the Bible in a year. Whether you need a quick overview or are considering some in-depth study but don't know how to begin, The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible is a momentum-building first step.
  • The Prayer of Jabez : Breaking Through to the Blessed Life (The Breakthrough Series : Little Books, Big Change) by Bruce Wilkinson - from an Amazon review by Cindy Crosby - “In an era where many Christians shy away from anything that smacks of "name it and claim it," author Bruce Wilkinson alleviates misgivings by putting the prayer into perspective. Wilkinson, founder and president of Walk thru the Bible Ministries and a popular speaker for Promise Keepers, writes in a persuasive, conversational style that will woo even the most cynical reader. He has used the Jabez prayer for more than 30 years, and testifies enthusiastically to the changes it has wrought in his own life.”

Family/Parenting

  • The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell
  • Boundaries with Kids by Henry Cloud, John Townsend, Lisa Guest - When to say Yes, When to say No, to Help Your Children Gain Control of their Lives
  • Helping Children Grieve by Teresa M. Huntley - Children are bewildered and full of questions when a grandparent, friend, or someone they love dies. We want to help, and yet the needs of a five-year-old are very different from those of an older child. Theresa Huntley shows how children at various ages understand death and offers positive ways for parents and other caring adults to help them grieve.
  • I Can Pray with Jesus: The Lord’s Prayer for Children by Debbie Trafton O’Neal - This is a great way to teach children the Lord’s Prayer and what each petition means. Beautifully illustrated by Taia Morley, it provides parents and children with a helpful tool to talk about the importance of prayer.
  • Ignite the Fire : Kindling a Passion for Christ in Your Kids - This is a book for parents who want to take seriously the role they committed to when their child(ren) were baptized. It is full of great ways to have a Christ-centered family and to raise kids who have a passion for Jesus!
  • Keeping Your Family Strong In a World Gone Wrong by Dr. Kevin Leman - Book Description - In his entertaining yet authoritative style, best-selling author and psychologist Kevin Leman shares his "Reality Rule of Relationships," providing advice and step-by-step guidance for strengthening your family. Discover keys to family relationships in this book packed with enlightening real-life examples and solutions to tough family problems. Inside you'll find the ten biggest needs of husbands and wives--and how to fill them--the best approach to child discipline, techniques for avoiding infidelity and revitalizing your love life, advice for the two-career family, tips for becoming your teenager's best friend, and the biggest danger for the single mom--and how to fight it.
  • LifeStories a board game by TaliCor - Lifestories is a game that helps build communication, enrich relationships and preserve family traditions. The gently prodding questions encourage players of all ages to share personal stories and memories.
  • Little House on the Freeway: Help for the Hurried Home by Tim Kimmel, Gary Smalley
  • Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Dr. Kevin Leman - Book Description Raising a child these days can be daunting. But if anyone understands why children behave as they do, it's Dr. Kevin Leman. This internationally known psychologist, author, and father of five shows how to bring out the best in your kids-without letting them get the best of you! In his humorous, direct style, Dr. Leman shows how-and why-his reality discipline works.
  • More-with-Less Cookbook (Anniversary Edition) by Doris Janzen Longacre - When the More-with-Less Cookbook was first published 25 years ago, it challenged households to help solve the world food crisis. It is filled with recipes and suggestions on how to eat better and consume less of the world’s limited food resources. It provides food for our bodies and our souls.
  • The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
  • The Power of a Praying Parent: Prayer and Study Guide by Stormie Omartian
  • 1001 Ways to Connect With Your Kids by James R. Lucas - A great book with tons of wonderful suggestions for all kinds of kids and parents. This book is filled with practical and a lot of the time, easy to do suggestions that will connect parents and kids together. Everything from really serious to really fun!

Just for Men

Just for Women

  • Abiding in Christ by Cynthia Heald - This devotional book, designed to guide you through a month of quiet times, emphasizes the joy and the importance of abiding in Christ. Each of the 31 daily meditations in this collection includes a scripture.
  • God's Little Devotional Book for Moms - This book is designed for the busy life of a mom. It has a verse on one page, and a short story on the next. I could read a few pages at a time and not feel cheated because of being called away to tie a shoe or change a diaper. It is a witty and encouraging. I had to buy my sister, mother of six, a copy also. It is the first book I read begining to end in a very long time! I think parents that have children over the age of 3 get the most from the book. And, the more children you have, the more you will love this book.
  • God's Little Devotional for Women - This book has brought me so much closer to God than I thought possible. It has done so much for me, and I think all women should have a copy of this in their homes. I highly recomend this book to any women who is seeking the greatness of a personal relationship with God.
  • Humor for a Woman's Heart : Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart by Shari MacDonald - Book Description - Humor has the power to lift a life above the stresses and strains of the day and to fill the heart with encouragement and optimism. Humor for a Woman's Heart was especially compiled with the feminine gender in mind. In this collection of humorous writings by best-selling authors such as Max Lucado, Chonda Pierce, Barbara Johnson, and others, you will find cheerful inspiration and unique insights into the human drama of womanhood. This book is sure to bring a smile to your face and a lift to your day. And along the way, you will also discover truth and teaching that will bless your life.
  • OverJoyed! by Patsy Clairmont (Editor), Barbara Johnson, Marilyn Meberg, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, Thelma Wells - The Women of Faith Crew Strikes Again with 60 Upbeat New Devotions What do you get when you mix courage, faith, humor, and a few feisty women? You get OverJoyed!, a brand new devotional by some irrepressible ladies who know how to have a good time filling each day with laughter, love, and joy.
  • The Power of a Praying Wife by Stomie Omartian - Today's challenges and presssures can make a fulfilling marriage seem like an impossible dream. Stormie Omartian shares how God has strengthened her own marriage since she began to pray for her husband concerning key areas of his life.
  • The Quiet Heart : Daily Devotionals for Women by June Masters Bacher - It's when we have a quiet heart that we're best able to listen, give thanks, show tenderness, hold someone's memory close, and give the kind of love that makes a difference in someone's life. These devotions point the way to quieting the heart.
  • Womens Devotional Compact Hardcover - Devotions written by, for, and about godly women, featuring over 100 well-known authors. A subject index and an author index provide the reader with easy access to particular topics or authors.

Just for Couples

Just for Kids

  • Angels & All Children: A Nativity Story in Words, Music, and Art by Walter Wangerin, Jr - From the story: "The world is stuck at midnight. People have turned from God and covered their land in darkness deeper than night. All the children are sleeping, and all the parents are sad. But God loves this world. And God sends a baby-born in a manger-to bring morning light to the darkness. And God sends angels to awaken the children …"
  • Before and After Christmas by Debbie Trafton O'Neal - Before and After Christmas offers ideas for ways to celebrate with specific activities, including crafts, service projects, and family worship ideas for each day in Advent and through the twelve days of Christmas. Each day also includes a Bible passage for reading together.
  • Family Countdown to Christmas: A Day-By-Day Celebration by Debbie Trafton O'Neal - Family Countdown to Christmas: A Day-by-Day Celebration provides a day-at-a-glance calendar filled with fun, fascinating facts, and colorful stickers. From Dec. 1 to Jan. 6, this book turns each day of the season into a celebration. It is packed with information about the holidays, including crafts, recipes, and activities.
  • 101 Things to Do for Christmas by Debbie Trafton O'Neal - 101 Things to Do for Christmas is filled with colorful craft projects that can be kept and enjoyed or given as gifts to family and friends.
  • First Things First, by Dandi Daley MacKall, is a new series of early-concept board books for ages 2-5. The series teaches appreciation for God’s creation, God’s care, and the fun of sharing and helping.
    Made by God
    One Lost Sheep
    Things I Do
    Rainbow Party
  • Imagination Series - Dandi Daley Mackall has written four books that teach toddlers about imagination and faith while helping them discover colors, numbers, shapes, and families. Each book includes a tactile surprise on the final page that reinforces learning and encourages children to enjoy the books again and again.
    Color My World
    Cloud Counting
    Animal Babies
    The Shape of Things
  • The Tales of Christopher Bear, by Stephanie Jeffs, is a series for ages 3-5. Read about forgiveness, love, friendship, sharing, and the true meaning of Christmas.
    A Bad Day for Christopher Bear
    I Love You, Christopher Bear
    Christopher Bear Makes Friends
    It's Mine, Christopher Bear!
    Christopher Bear’s First Christmas

Spiritual Growth/Self Discovery

  • Celebration of Discipline : The Path to Spiritual Growth : 20th Anniversary Edition by Richard J. Foster, Review by Michael Joseph Gross - "… his book presents one of the most compelling and readable visions of Christian spirituality published in the past few decades. After beginning with a simple observation 'Superficiality is the curse of our age.... The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people' Foster's book moves to explain the disciplines people must cultivate in order to achieve spiritual depth. In succinct, urgent, and sometimes humorous chapters, Foster defines a broad range of classic spiritual disciplines in terms that are lucid without being too limiting and offers advice that's practical without being overly prescriptive."
  • A Forgiving Heart: Prayers for Blessing and Reconciliation edited by Lyn Klug, This collection of prayers offers understanding and new perspectives, providing healing for our relationship with God, ourselves, family and friends, in our communities, and among nations. These prayers have been gathered from spiritual writers including C.S. Lewis, Mother Teresa, Henri Nouwen, and Desmond Tutu, as well as ordinary people who have struggled with offering and receiving forgiveness.
  • Don't Sweat the Small Stuff--and it's all small stuff by Richard Carlson - from Amazon.com - Got a stress case in your life? Of course you do: "Without question, many of us have mastered the neurotic art of spending much of our lives worrying about a variety of things all at once." Carlson's cheerful book aims to make us stop and smell--if not roses--whatever is sitting in front of our noses. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... offers 100 meditations designed to make you appreciate being alive, keep your emotions (especially anger and dissatisfaction) in proper perspective, and cherish other people as the unique miracles they are. It's an owner's manual of the heart, and if you follow the directions, you will be a happier, more harmonious person. Like Stairmasters, oat bran, and other things that are good for you, the meditations take discipline. Even so, some of the strategies are kind of fun: "Imagine the people in your life as tiny infants and as 100-year-old adults." The trouble is, once you start, it's hard to stop.
  • Enjoying Where You Are on the Way to Where You Are Going by Joyce Meyer - From Ingram - In this book, Joyce Meyer combines biblical principles with personal experiences for a powerful teaching on how to enjoy every day on your journey through life. Enjoying life is not based on enjoyable circumstances. It is an attitude of your heart.
  • God’s Tender Words for Life’s Tough Moments by Margaret Houk - God wants to help us through our trying times, great or small. When difficulties emerge there is nothing that can turn things around as much as God’s words of strength, love, help, and mercy. The book includes short selections covering a wide range of difficult emotional times. Each selection includes a brief sketch of a difficult time, several Bible verses that address it, and a closing prayer. Ideal for personal use, but each selection can be adapted for group prayer use.
  • Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado - For such a small book, Grace For the Moment has had a major impact on countless lives. With more than a half million copies sold, this devotional continues to touch lives as it emphasizes the help and hope of God in everyday moments. Each daily reading features devotional writings from Max Lucado's numerous bestsellers as well as a Scripture verse selected especially for that day's reading.
  • Grieving the Death of a Mother and On Grieving the Death of a Father both by Harold Ivan Smith help readers understand the grieving process and cope with the loss of a close family member. Includes examples from the authors own experiences and the experiences of others.
  • He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado - from an Amazon review by Cindy Crosby - Lucado invites us to understand the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion and celebrate the significance of the promises they offer.
  • Here I Stand by Roland Herbert Bainton - Available for the first time in trade paperback, this authoritative biography of the great religious leader was hailed by Time magazine as "the most readable Luther biography in English."
  • How to Succeed at Being Yourself : Finding the Confidence to Fulfill Your Destiny by Joyce Meyer - from the book cover - The standards many of us use for deciding whether we approve of ourselves are faulty, yet we view these misconceptions as truth and our successes or failures to conform to them as indicators of our worth. Learn the true way to determine your worth and who you really are. Get ready to experience the full measure of success God has prepared for you that will dramatically change your life as you discover How to Succeed at Being Yourself.
  • I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was : How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It by Barbara Sher - From Amazon - "A life without direction is a life without passion," says motivational specialist, therapist, and career counselor Barbara Sher. In I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was, a sort of broader, less dense, and less intimidating version of What Color Is Your Parachute?, she reveals how to "recapture long lost goals, overcome the blocks that inhibit your success, decide what you want to be, and live your dreams." This is a perfect book for new college graduates or anyone sick and tired of languishing in a dead-end job or relationship--yet reluctant to make drastic life changes due to uncertainty about what would actually inspire them.
  • In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado - According to Max Lucado, grace is perhaps the most difficult spiritual truth to accept. In his latest book, Lucado looks into the lives of believers and, through moving stories and powerful insights, answers the questions which all readers have asked at one time or another--Why do we need grace? What does grace do for us? What does grace do in us?
  • Intimacy With The Almighty by Charles R. Swindoll - from Ingram - Charles Swindoll outlines four decisions, accompanied by four disciplines that can lead us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Almighty and contribute to peace in the middle of the "tyranny of the urgent".
  • On Grieving the Death of a Father and Grieving the Death of a Mother both by Harold Ivan Smith help readers understand the grieving process and cope with the loss of a close family member. Includes examples from the authors own experiences and the experiences of others.
  • Perfect Trust by Charles R. Swindoll - Beloved Bible teacher and best-selling author Chuck Swindoll offers fresh, original insights in this wonderful sequel to Intimacy With the Almighty. He encourages readers to discover a more meaningful, intimate relationship with God by learning to trust Him more completely. With his unique, uplifting writing style, Swindoll helps those navigating life's most difficult obstacles to pursue the path that leads to power, blessing, and peace.
  • Prayer : Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard J. Foster - From the Book Cover - “Bestselling author Richard J. Foster offers a warm, compelling, and sensitive primer on prayer, helping us to understand, experience, and practice it in its many forms--from the simple prayer of beginning again to unceasing prayer. He clarifies the prayer process, answers common misconceptions, and shows the way into prayers of contemplation, healing, blessing, forgiveness, and rest. Foster shows how prayer can move us inward into personal transformation, upward toward intimacy with God, and outward to minister to others. He leads us beyond questions to a deeper understanding and practice of prayer, bringing us closer to God, to ourselves, and to our community.”
  • Secrets of the Vine (The Breakthrough Series : Little Books, Big Change) by Bruce Wilkinson - from an Amazon review by Cindy Crosby - “Through Jesus' symbolic portrayal of himself as the vine, the Father as vinedresser, and his followers as the branches, Wilkinson believes that Christians can better understand God's methods for ensuring personal fulfillment, and find a closer walk with him. Grapes need pruning--and so do Christians, Wilkinson writes. God's "pruning" is painful, but Wilkinson argues that this pruning away of "self" is necessary to gain desirable results. He notes, "Pruning will intensify as God's shears cut closer to the core of who you are." Wilkinson urges Christians not to confuse "pruning" with "discipline," and offers a helpful chart to distinguish between the two. He discusses four levels of fruit bearing, from "no fruit" to "much fruit," and the connection between God's pruning and an abundant harvest.”
  • Six Weeks to a Simpler Lifestyle by Barbara DeGrote-Sorensen - The Midwest Book Review - "Offers help for all of us who would like to make our lives less complicated, but aren't sure where to begin."
  • Soul Keeping: Ancient Paths of Spiritual Direction by Howard Baker - Book Description - "HOW IS IT THAT I CAN BE CONSISTENTLY EXPERIENCING GOD'S PRESENCE, sensing his love, and feeling the power of the spirit AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN-NOTHING? I continue the same practices I was doing in prayer and devotion, but with entirely different results. There is no sense of God's presence, only dryness in the Scriptures, and hollowness in prayer." ….. If you're struggling in your spiritual life and searching for renewed passion for God, the paths described in Soul Keeping will provide rest for your soul as you richly experience God and His presence.
  • The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen - From Ingram - The #1 New York Times bestselling authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul introduce readers to the Aladdin Factor--the magical wellspring of confidence and desire that turns dreams into reality--and teach them how to put it into effect in their own lives.
  • The Balanced Life : Achieving Success in Work & Love by Alan Loy McGinnis - Book Description - More than three million readers have found inspiration and guidance from this best-selling author. Now he turns his attention to some of the most urgent questions of our time: How can I find a balance in my Life? How do I juggle work and family? Can I be successful at one without sacrificing the other? For all seeking a balanced life, here is the inspiration, practical advice, and engaging storytelling that readers around the world have come to expect from Alan Loy McGinnis. *Amazon has only a few used copies.
  • The Case for Christ : A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel - From the author - “Not too many years ago, I was an atheist. My agnostic wife's conversion to Christianity prompted me to use my legal training (M.S.L., Yale Law School) and journalism experience (I was the legal editor of "The Chicago Tribune") to systematically investigate whether there's any credible evidence that Jesus is the unique Son of God. "The Case for Christ" retraces the two-year quest that rocked my world.”
  • The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity by Lee Strobel - From Amazon - ”Award-winning reporter and author Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ) once again uses his investigative skills to address the primary objections to Christianity. As a former atheist, Strobel understands the rational resistance to faith. He even names the eight most convincing arguments against Christian faith…”
  • The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer by Mark Galli, James S. Bell, Jim Bell, Review by Gail Hudson - The Complete Idiot's Guide series that has taught us how to do everything from making beer, playing bridge, and fishing to gambling, and living with a cat now ventures into the arena of prayer. Although this may seem like a crass and commercial undertaking, it is certainly true that many people feel unworthy or inadequate when trying to give voice to a prayer. As a primer on Christian prayer, this could be the boost that helps a beginner or a doubter take the leap of faith and start a dialogue with God. Typical of the Complete Idiot's Guide style, the format uses plenty of cartoon-like illustrations, loads of informative tidbits, and most importantly a warm, reassuring voice that takes a complicated issue and breaks it down into manageable bites.
  • The Dieter's Prayer Book by Heather Harpham Kopp - Every day we are faced with fridge wars, bad mirror moments, diets that don't work, skinny friends who can eat whatever they like, and husbands who reminisce about the size 8 they married. Yet victory can be yours. Increasingly, scientific studies are indicating that in health matters, prayer works--and in The Dieter's Prayer Book, you'll find that daily ounce of spiritual encouragement you need. Not tied to any one particular diet, The Dieter's Prayer Book can be used in conjunction with any healthy-eating program, or on its own. Each day, these upbeat prayers will remind you what really matters, make you feel less alone, and empower you to achieve your goal of healthful living.
  • The Faith Factor : Proof of the Healing Power of Prayer by Dale A. Matthews M.D., From a review by Booklist - As he acquired clinical experience, he began to realize that some patients wanted to talk to him about their faith as well as their physical problems. After several striking improvements when he brought his and a patient's strong beliefs in God together, he began to ask often whether patients wanted him to pray with them. The expansion of the doctor-patient relationship to a God-doctor-patient relationship produced many improvements in health and understanding.
  • The Fingerprints of God: Seeing His Hand in the Unexpected by Nancy Hoag, Collection of 38 true short stories from the author’s life. Share the adventures of life, through the experiences of someone who is not afraid to be honest about her struggles, foibles, and joy. The author makes it clear that God has been with her through every circumstance, teaching, guiding, and gently correcting her. A Bible verse accompanies every story. Can be used as a devotional, too.
  • The Gift for All People: Thoughts on God's Great Grace by Max Lucado - The Gift for all People is a celebration of God's gift of salvation wrapped in a collection of inspirational stories. These stories will help Christians comprehend and treasure the assurance of their salvation and will help non-Christians realize and embrace the gift of abundant, eternal life in Jesus Christ. The concluding story, written especially for this book, urges readers to give their lives to Jesus Christ and shows them how to do so. This book will provide Christians with a unique, warm, and attractive presentation of the gospel to give to non-Christian family or friends.
  • The Path : Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and for Life by Laurie Beth Jones - The Path is easy to read and chock full of wise advice based on that ancient book of wisdom, the Bible. But you don't have to be a believer in order to use the tools Jones gives you for creating your person mission statement. This book is exceptional and will go in my permanent personal library.
  • The Weigh Down Diet by Gwen Shamblin - From Amazon - "We have been trying to feed our hurting, longing hearts with physical food," writes Gwen Shamblin, registered dietician and founder of the Weigh Down program, which emphasizes "God's power--not 'will power.'" This book offers instruction on how to eat only when physically hungry, how to "nourish the soul with a relationship with God," and how not to confuse different hunger urges. The diet plan teaches you not to overeat by letting you eat exactly what you want, but much less of it. …The Weigh Down Diet is, however, a guide to using your religious beliefs to help you stop overeating and see food in a new light. This book inspires you with scriptural passages, discussions of "God's rules" about eating, and assurances that God's love will help you win your battle with weight.
  • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey, Review by Joan Price - Stephen Covey, an internationally respected leadership authority, realizes that true success encompasses a balance of personal and professional effectiveness, so this book is a manual for performing better in both arenas. His anecdotes are as frequently from family situations as from business challenges…. This isn't a quick-tips-start-tomorrow kind of book. The concepts are sometimes intricate, and you'll want to study this book, not skim it. When you finish, you'll probably have Post-it notes or hand-written annotations in every chapter, and you'll feel like you've taken a powerful seminar by Covey.
  • Wrestling the Light : Ache and Awe in the Human-Divine Struggle : Prayers and Stories by Ted Loder
  • 101 Amazing Things about God by Marsha Marks - Book Description For those who think they have God all figured out, Marsha Marks challenges them to think again-and not take Him for granted.
    She offers 101 familiar, surprising, humbling, inspiring, and amazing truths about our awesome God, including:
    * He loves His enemies.
    * He saves all my prayers.
    * He entrusts all His creation to man.
    * He hears me when I weep.
    * He can make the stain of sin disappear.
    101 Amazing Things About God is wonderful for the believer to use as a daily reminder of the characteristics of God. It's also great to give to those who are interested and curious to know what God is really like-and most of all, if He cares about them.

Leadership

  • Aquachurch: Essential Leadership Arts for Piloting Your Church in Today's Fluid Culture by Leonard Sweet - Marshall Shelley, Editor, Leadership magazine - "Len Sweet is a master of the apt metaphor. He discerns today's invisible forces that make leadership more like a voyage than a march. His navigational aids help keep us on course."
  • Community 101 by Gilbert Bilezikian - From the book cover - Gilbert Bilezikian lays a biblical foundation for this call to community by showing the centrality of community in the sweep of salvation history-its loss in the Fall, its reclamation through Christ, and its ultimate realization in the New Jeruselem.
  • Developing the Leaders Around You by John C. Maxwell - From Ingram - John Maxwell, one of the nation's leading figures in the area of personal and corporate leadership development, turns his attention to the art of developing leadership capabilities in the people who surround you.
  • Developing the Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell - From Amazon - Few of us are natural-born leaders, according to John C. Maxwell, author of Developing the Leader Within You. Fortunately though, "the traits that are the raw material of leadership can be acquired," he promises. "Link them up with desire and nothing can keep you from becoming a leader. This book will supply the leadership principles. You must supply the desire." True to his words, Maxwell offers a detailed and inspiring primer on becoming a leader.
  • Good to Great by Jim Collins - Under study by Joy's church council. Review by Amazon - Making the transition from good to great doesn't require a high-profile CEO, the latest technology, innovative change management, or even a fine-tuned business strategy. At the heart of those rare and truly great companies was a corporate culture that rigorously found and promoted disciplined people to think and act in a disciplined manner. Peppered with dozens of stories and examples from the great and not so great, the book offers a well-reasoned road map to excellence that any organization would do well to consider.
  • Groups of Twelve by Joel Comiskey - From the Back Cover - Many thanks to Comiskey for a helpful and practical book. Many church growth strategies work in the short run, but only leadership multiplication creates ongoing kingdom expansion. This book communicates biblical, proven and effective principles. My advice to you: "Eat this book!" Let it shape your heart, your vision and strategy (Jim Egli, Author, Pastor, and TOUCH Trainer)
  • Home Cell Group Explosion: How Your Small Group Can Grow and Multiply by Joel Comiskey - From the Publisher - Home Cell Group Explosion is the most researched and practical book every written on cell group ministry! Joel Comiskey traversed the globe to find out why certain churches and small groups are successful in reaching the lost. He found the answers and freely shares them within this volume. If you are a pastor or small group leader, you should devour this book! It will encourage you and give you simple, practical steps for dynamic small group life and growth.
  • How to Lead Small Groups by Neal McBride - Review by Ingram - How to Lead Groups covers leadership skills for all kinds of small groups, including Bible study, fellowship, task, and support groups. It's designed to help you hit the ground running by giving you all the tools and information you need---without making you wade through complicated, time-consuming background information, theory, or rationale.
  • Leaders : Strategies for Taking Charge by Warren Bennis - Book Description - In this illuminating study of corporate America's most critical issue -- leadership -- world-renowned leadership guru Warren Bennis and his co-author Burt Nanus reveal the four key principles every manager should know: Attention Through Vision, Meaning Through Communication, Trust Through Positioning, and The Deployment of Self. In this age of "process", with downsizing and restructuring affecting many workplaces, companies have fallen trap to lack of communication and distrust, and vision and leadership are needed more than ever before. The wisdom and insight in Leaders addresses this need. It is an indispensable source of guidance all readers will appreciate, whether they're running a small department or in charge of an entire corporation.
  • Nine Keys to Effective Small Group Leadership : How Lay Leaders Can Establish Dynamic & Healthy Cells, Classes or Teams by Carl George - Book Description - Increase your effectiveness as a small-group leader! Don't just have meetings -propel your group to a new level of teamwork and fruitfulness for Christ. Learn and apply the simple truths of Scripture illustrated in these nine keys in order to utilize and open the doors. These nine keys will make a lasting impact in your small group.
  • Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration by Warren Bennis - The New York Times Book Review, Charles C. Mann - Warren Bennis knows his audience. A well-respected business consultant, he instructs uncertain managers in the art of transforming themselves into leaders. Organizing Genius ... [is] aimed at people suddenly entrusted with a corporate project that involves getting people to work together creatively, a skill rarely imparted at B-school. Many of them, I suspect, will find the book extremely useful.
  • Reap the Harvest : How a Small-Group System Can Grow Your Church by Joel Comiskey - From the Back Cover -"Reap the Harvest is an excellent how-to-get-it-done guide for cell group life with a purpose: the harvest. The chapter on change alone is worth the whole book! This is a practical, powerful, and useful tool that will save you from the common mistakes and guide you to healthy, vital, quality and quantity growth." (Kent R. Hunter, The Church Doctor)
  • Soul Tsunami by Leonard Sweet - From review by Amazon.com - Will the tsunami wave of change sweep Christianity away? Or will religious followers be able to ride the cresting tidal wave of cyber terrorism and social malaise that threaten Christian values in the 21st century? Rather than sink into denial or flee to safe bunkers, Sweet suggests that devout Christians "hoist the sails" just as Noah did when faced with a flood. "While the world is rethinking its entire cultural formation, it is time to find new ways of being the church that are true to our postmodern context," writes author Leonard Sweet.
  • The New Reformation by Greg Odgen - Book Description - Ministry is to be by the people and for the people, and this book explains why it is needed and how it can be done.
  • The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell - From an Amazon review by Gail Hudson - Readers can expect a well-crafted discussion that emphasizes the core attitudes and visions of leadership… For instance, when explaining "The Law of Influence," Maxwell states that "job titles don't have much value when it comes to leading. True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed or assigned. It comes only from influence and that can't be mandated." Even after Princess Diana was stripped of her title, Maxwell says she was still able to lead a global effort toward banning land mines because of her sophisticated ability to influence others.

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Phone: 847-362-4JOY

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