Tuesday, March 29, 2011

TCM International

Here is a video clip about the ministry that I will be serving in May - so excited and blessed to be traveling to Austria again this year!!


TCM International from Traders Point Christian Church on Vimeo.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Victory in Jesus - Standing Firm and Overcoming

574 Wiersbe Neh bk cover






Victory in Jesus


Warren Wiersbe Studies Standing Firm and Overcoming


Developing an intimate relationship with Christ is a life-long process, and the study of His Word is one of the primary avenues through which we learn and draw closer to Him. Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s ability to explore and explain the Bible has been a foundational resource for many during this life-long pursuit, and now his well-loved “Be” commentaries are available in a series of eight-week Bible studies. These small-group studies will enable readers to reach deeply into the riches of God’s Word and gain a clearer understanding of who Christ is and how He taught His followers during His ministry here on earth.

Each eight-week study includes an introduction to the particular book of the Bible, tips for small group study, self-introspective questions, and practical applications. Throughout the study, portions of Dr. Wiersbe’s “Be” commentaries are included to provide greater insight and to encourage those participating in the study to continue to deepen their study of God’s Word. Students of God’s Word may then decide to explore Dr. Wiersbe’s commentaries more completely as they move through individual books of the Bible.

Dr. Warren Wiersbe has devoted his life to the deep examination of God’s Word. He is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, and the author of more than 160 books. Among this large body of written work, the “Be” commentary series has become a resource that millions have come to rely on for over thirty years. Dr. Wiersbe also served as the contributing editor of The Transformation Study Bible. The timeless insights on Scripture provided by Dr. Wiersbe have helped countless numbers of readers to better understand and apply God’s Word to their daily lives. Known to many as the “pastor’s pastor,” Dr. Wiersbe combines historical explanations and thought-provoking questions with the unchanging truth of Scripture in such a way that believers at every level of spiritual maturity can easily grasp its relevance.

Studies to be released this spring include:
Nehemiah: Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition – Nehemiah was an ordinary man given an impossible task: to rebuild the war-torn city of Jerusalem. This Bible study examines the life, legacy, and perseverance of Nehemiah. (ISBN: 9780781404556/softcover/144 pages/$8.99/February 2011)

Revelation: In Christ You Are an Overcomer – The book of Revelation is one of the Bible’s most mysterious books. This Bible study takes a practical approach to Revelation and shares how one can experience a victorious life. (ISBN: 9781434702319/softcover/144 pages/$8.99/February 2011)

Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s commentaries and his world-renowned knowledge of God’s Word can now be enjoyed in a format that allows everyone to enjoy spending time getting to know the Savior. David C Cook plans to continue releasing volumes in the Wiersbe Bible Study Series over the next few years.

The Wiersbe Bible Study Series by Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe
David C Cook/February 2011
http://www.davidccook.com/

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

A BIllion Reasons Why

Book Cover







Practically Perfect



Can God’s best include passion and security?



Katie McKenna had resolved to live a quiet life, marry a practical Christian man, and leave all her “worldly” desires behind. Since moving to California, she’d made it her goal to live life logically and for the Lord. She has the perfect life—a fulfilling job, a cute apartment, and a wedding to plan with her soon-to-be fiancĂ©, Dexter.

But then in walks Luc DeForges, the handsome ex-boyfriend who’d broken her heart. After graduating college and rejecting Katie, Luc cornered the organic food market and became one of the most eligible multi-millionaire bachelors. But now he’s back and asking her to go home to New Orleans to sing at his brother’s wedding. She hasn’t fallen victim to her emotions since leaving New Orleans, and she’s invested too much to give into them now.

When Luc was in his element, there was nothing like it. His excitement was contagious and spread like a classroom virus, infecting those around him with a false sense of security. Katie inhales deeply and reminds herself that the man sold inspiration by the pound. His power over her was universal. It did not make her special.

Katie’s boyfriend, Dexter, is a practical man. As Katie’s roommate Eileen offers, “Katie, no matter how many entries you put in that book, Dexter is not going to be a romantic. I mean, fine, you’re going to marry him. He’s a good man. I just don’t want you to be disappointed. No matter how many junior high school hearts you draw next to his name, Dexter is going to order you what the Internet says is the proper gift for each anniversary. He’ll probably have a program created that does it for him.” But Dexter is safe. He’ll be a good dad. He’s very intellectual. He’s punctual. He’s everything she needs in a husband.

And Dexter will propose as soon as she gets her grandmother’s ring from her mom. And Luc will provide her with a free trip home for just that purpose. Plus, she needs to go home to New Orleans. It’s her last chance to find out why Luc tossed her from his life like a banana peel off the back of her father’s pickup. Love is a decision. A choice. All the leading experts said so, and she’d decided she would love Dexter in a way that honored and respected him. The way she’d loved Luc left her worn out and depleted, like an empty air mattress. Then what use was she? She’d get her ring and closure as well. Then nothing would stand in the way of her life with Dexter.

But what if God has more in store for her? What if God’s desire for her is a heart full of life? Can the passions she had as a young woman, which led to many of her past mistakes, still have a place in her life?

Kristin Billerbeck is a successful novelist from northern California. She has authored more than 30 novels, including the Ashley Stockingdale series and the Spa Girls series. She is a leader in the Chick Lit movement, a Christy Award finalist, and a two-time winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award. She has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times.

A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck
Thomas Nelson/February 2011/ISBN: 978-1-59554-791-0/320 pages/softcover/$14.99
http://www.thomasnelson.com/ ~ http://www.kristinbillerbeck.com/


Tricia here:  Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.  I feel badly, however, as I was not super-fond of this book.  Had I been able to spend more quality time with the characters, I think I would have really liked it, but it just made too many leaps - I would have liked things to be developed a little more and see the changes in the characters take place over time.  Perhaps it is because I read the book over several days, but it just seemed like a lot of flip-flopping only to serve plot, not because the characters got there on their own.  But it was a fun book and nice to read something set in New Orleans.