What's New at Cross Reference Library - Books 4-8 in the A.D. Chronicles series

The A.D. Chronicles series (books 4-8) by Bodie and Brock Thoene.

Fourth Dawn - No one is secure in Judea. Betrayal and suspicion are the coin of the realm as King Herod plunges deeper into madness, determined to hold on to his kingdom… no matter the price. Young Mary of Nazareth receives an unusual visitor as she tends a cow in her parents’ barn. What he tells her will change everything about her life and impact all those in Judea and beyond - for eternity! Yet will Yosef, her betrothed, believe her? Or will she lose the one she loves? Onias the Tutor puzzles over the ancient prophecies in secret. If anyone discovers what he knows, not only he, but his beloved wife and child, will be in imminent peril. Now signs are appearing in the heavens. But what do they mean?

Fifth Seal - Gossip swirls around the newlyweds Mary and Yosef. It is far too soon for her womb to carry the growing baby, neighbors say. Yet too much is at stake for Yosef to reveal the truth. He vows to protect Mary and the baby with his life, but how can he protect her heart from the barbs of betrayal? As beloved prophetess Hannah boldly foretells the coming of Israel’s true King, King Herod plots her doom… and that of anyone else he believes challenges his throne. When a dying slave stumbles into Bethlehem on a stormy night, shepherd Zadok and his wife, Rachel, wonder: Is her arrival guided by God or a trap set by paranoid Herod? As Mary and Yosef set out on a perilous journey to Jerusalem, astronomer Melchior sees unusual activity in the stars. He’s convinced something important will happen soon in Israel… and it will impact the world for all eternity.

Sixth Covenant - Bethlehem is compromised of simple folk who spend their days tending sheep, newborn lambs, and their own families. Among them are Mary, Yosef, and baby Yeshua, whose birth was announced by a miraculous conjunction of the stars and a throng of angels in the sheep fields. Convinced by their study of the stars and prophecies that the long-awaited Messiah has been born, foreigners travel toward Jerusalem. Surely the capital city will hold the answer to the mystery they have sought for months. Tortured by nightmares that someone is coming to take over his kingdom, King Herod grows more paranoid. He gives an order to his soldiers - one more devastating and evil than anyone could imagine. That very night soldiers and their mounts thunder toward Bethlehem, the village of the sacrificial lambs.

Seventh Day - Eve, the widow of Absalom the Scribe, has one thing to live for - her only son, Abel. She grieves over his every rasping breath. She’s heard of a great Healer who walks the earth. Could the rumors be true? Could there be a miracle for Abel? While rifling through the archives under the Temple Mount, religious leader Ra’nabel ben Dives discovers startling information about a child who escaped the slaughter of Herod the Great’s soldiers. “If King Herod Antipas and High Priest Caiaphas don’t know,” ben Dives schemes, “perhaps I can turn this news to my own advantage.” Meanwhile in Bethany, a close friend of Yeshua’s grows seriously ill. Miryam and Marta, his sisters, quickly send word to Yeshua, but Yeshua delays. “Why does He not come?” the sisters wonder. “Does He not care?”

Eighth Shepherd - Zachai, chief tax collector of Jericho, is the most hated man in all Judea. Outside his estate, he’s surrounded by four giant Nubian bodyguards. But at night he’s a prisoner of his aching heart. What would it be like to be loved? To have a family? Shimona, former leper from the Valley of Mak’ob, returns to her hometown of Jericho to proclaim that Yeshua has healed her. When no one believes her story, she is sent to live alone as the caretaker of a grove of sukomore fig trees. Month after month she holds on tightly to hope in the midst of her loneliness. A former prince among the Nubian tribes, Salmon was betrayed and sold into slavery. Now one of the few treasures he has - his little daughter Marisha - is dying. Salmon has heard stories of Yeshua’s miracles. But would the Great Shepherd have mercy on a sheep that’s outside Israel’s flock?

Cross Reference Library is located at 209 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff, NE,
and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

What's New at Cross Reference Library - New novels by Karen Kingsbury

In Take Two by Karen Kingsbury, filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison have completed their first feature film, and Hollywood is buzzing with the news. In the wake of that excitement, the producers acquire rights to a novel that has all the ingredients they want for their next project. At the same time they cross paths with a well-connected player who introduces them to the right people, and suddenly every studio in town wants to talk to Chase and Keith. The producers’ dreams are on the verge of coming true, but Chase’s marriage is strained and Keith’s daughter — Andi Ellison — is making questionable choices in her quest for stardom. The producers are gaining respect and are on the verge of truly changing culture through the power of film — but is the change worth the cost?

In Take Three by Karen Kingsbury, Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison set out to change the world with their films—and they are finally seeing their dreams come true. The dedicated producers are deep in negotiations with America’s top young movie star to play the lead in their next inspirational movie. But life takes a sudden turn for Chase, removing him from Jeremiah Productions permanently. In the process, Keith brings on one of the Baxter family members and the moviemaking continues. At the same time, a crisis hits Keith’s daughter, Andi, and Keith feels helpless to respond. Devastated by the consequences of her wrong actions, Andi ventures out on her own and decides on a course of action that could destroy her. Meanwhile, Bailey Flanigan is caught up in her own drama with Cody Coleman. A Campus Crusade retreat gives them time alone along the shores of Lake Monroe and lets them face a possibility they’ve avoided for years. Will Keith keep the passion he had at the start of his filmmaking—and will there be enough passion left over for his hurting daughter? Or has their quest to change American culture become nothing more than a quest for fame?

In Take Four by Karen Kingsbury, after Chase Ryan returns to his family and a job in his hometown, filmmakers Keith Ellison and Dayne Matthews finally ink a deal to have the nation's top young actor star in their current film. But at the same time, the actor takes a very public fall that threatens his reputation among his fan base. Meanwhile, healing happens for Andi Ellison in her relationship with God, her family, and those she loves, but is it too late? The new producers find they must truly act as missionaries in order to help save the film, their families, and the young movie star. Breakthroughs take place that the public will never know about, as the possibility of saving the world through film is finally a very real possibility.

Cole Blake, son of Landon and Ashley Baxter Blake, is months away from going off to college and taking the first steps towards his dream—a career in medicine. But as he starts his final semester of high school he meets Elise, a mysterious new girl who captures his attention—and heart—from day one. Elise has her heart set on mending her wild ways and rediscovering the good girl she used to be. But not long after the semester starts, she discovers she’s pregnant. Eighteen and alone, she shares her secret with Cole. Undaunted by the news, and in love for the first time in his life, Cole is determined to support Elise—even if it means skipping college, marrying her, and raising another man’s baby. When Elise decides to place her baby up for adoption, she is matched with Aaron and Lucy Williams, who moved to Bloomington, Indiana to escape seven painful years of infertility. But as Elise’s due date draws near, she becomes focused on one truth: she has two weeks to change her mind about the adoption. With Cole keeping vigil and Lucy and Aaron waiting to welcome their new baby, Elise makes an unexpected decision—one that changes everyone’s plans. Tender and deeply moving, Two Weeks by Karen Kingsbury is a story about love, faith, and what it really means to be a family.

Growing up in a comfortable home, Mary Catherine wanted for nothing. Though she loves her wealthy parents, their lifestyle never appealed to her. Instead, Mary Catherine pursues meaning through charity work, giving away a part of herself but never giving away her heart. Mary Catherine lives in Los Angeles with her roommate, Sami, and volunteers at a local youth center with coach Tyler Ames and LA Dodger Marcus Dillinger. Despite Mary Catherine’s intention to stay single, she finds herself drawing close to Marcus, and their budding romance offers an exciting life she never dreamed of. That is, until she receives devastating news from her doctor. News that alters her future and forces her to make a rash decision. Inspirational and moving, Chasing Sunsets by Karen Kingsbury is the story of one woman’s deep longings of the soul and the sacrifices she’s willing to make in search of healing.

Cross Reference Library is located at 209 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff, NE,
and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

What's New at Cross Reference Library - Drama, Thrills, Adventure, and Self Help for Men

As war rips through the heart of Holland, childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden partner with a few daring citizens to rescue Eliese’s son and hundreds of other Jewish children. But amid their resistance work, Josie and Eliese’s dangerous secrets could derail their friendship and mission. When the enemy finds these women, only one will escape. Seventy five years later, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather William Kingston was not the World War II hero he claimed to be. Her work as director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation leads her to Landon West’s Ugandan coffee plantation, and Ava and Landon soon discover a connection between their families. As Landon’s great-grandmother shares the broken pieces of her story, Ava must confront the greatest loss in her own life - and powerful members of the Kingston family who will do anything to keep the truth buried. Illuminating the story and strength of these women, award-winning author Melanie Dobson transports readers through time and place, from World War II Holland to contemporary Uganda, in the rich and inspiring Memories of Glass.

Marcus Ryker has spent his entire career studying killers. One thing he knows for sure: a peace summit is the ultimate stage for an assassination. President Andrew Clarke is determined to announce his historic peace plan from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. But when senior American officials who support the plan begin violently dying, Clarke orders Ryker and his team of CIA operatives to hunt down those responsible and bring the killing spree to an end. When the Palestinians denounce the American plan, the Saudis signal they may be ready to forge a historic treaty with Israel. Could the Saudi king’s support be the missing ingredient that will lead to peace at long last? Ryker soon uncovers a chilling plot to kill the American president. A well-resourced international alliance is dead set against the peace plan. They will stop at nothing to strike a blow against the Americans and seize leadership of the Muslim world. With all eyes on Jerusalem and the president in the crosshairs, it’s up to Ryker to eliminate the terrible evil that’s been set in motion. The fate of the region depends on his success in The Jerusalem Assassin by Joel C. Rosenberg.

In Mark Cahill’s novel Paradise, Josh expects to find paradise as he sets out for a relaxing trip to Hawaii to join three of his old friends from college. But what if their week in paradise is interrupted in a way that few of us can imagine? Take an unforgettable journey with Josh and his friends as they experience far more than they bargained for on their Hawaiian vacation turned adventure of a lifetime. Will Josh and his friends pick the right paradise? Will you?

Every boy has dreams of the man he will become - exploring the world, fighting the enemy, and being dangerous for good. He imagines himself as the hero, the expert, the one others look up to. Then somewhere along the way, the lies of the enemy knock him down, his dreams are shattered, and he loses his purpose as the enemy attempts to rob him of his true identity. In The Roar Within, world class hunter, adventurer, and popular speaker Brent Henderson takes men on a journey to some of the most dangerous and deadly places on earth. Along the way, he helps each man discover that the most powerful force in the universe can be found in his spirit, where God resides. He shows men how to recover what’s been lost by answering their biggest questions: Who am I really? Where does my value come from? Am I enough?

Cross Reference Library is located at 209 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff, NE,
and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

What's New at Cross Reference Library - How to raise kids, and books for youth

Every one of us has tremendous power to either build others up or tear them down through the words we speak every day, and nowhere is this more evident than in our families. Are you being purposeful in how you use the power of your words to speak encouragement, strength, and love - breathing life into the heart of your children? Or are careless words having a negative impact on both your kids and your family legacy? Matt and Lisa Jacobson want you to discover the powerful ways you can build your children up in love with the words that you choose to say every day--words that every child needs to hear. 100 Words of Affirmation Your Son Needs To Hear and 100 Words of Affirmation Your Daughter Needs To Hear offer you one hundred phrases to say to your son or daughter that deeply encourage, affirm, and inspire. Start speaking these words into their lives and watch your children - and your relationship with them - transform before your eyes.

The Prince and Friends by Susan Schaneman: The prince wasn’t allowed outside the castle much. After his mother had passed away the prince and his father grew very close in his seven years. His father knew it was time for the prince to have some adventures and meet some friends. New friends. Well, new friends for the young prince anyway. Friends who were characters of sort, but loyal and loving. Friends who had been waiting for him! The prince would become friends first with his most beloved groundhog-like buddy George. Then he meets Cindy, the neighbor girl and her beautiful horse, Lucy. There is Master Lo Lo, master fairy of the forest. Fred the king frog, a delightful large jolly frog down by the river and Princess Pamalea who was so warm and glowing. She could make the most amazing glass fireballs! They laughed and loved along the way. They shared adventures nearly every day. From fishing to horseback riding to having mud fights and more, the prince learned a lot about his friends and the special gifts they each possess. Even in a very sad time, the prince learned how friends are able to come together and know that they would have each other’s backs, until the very end.

Want children who are patient, kind, humble, thankful, and respectful? Who have a good work ethic, strong character, and a healthy self-image? Who succeed in all areas of life - personally, professionally, and relationally - to the best of their ability? You can’t force your kids to be grateful for everything you do, but you can raise successful, responsible kids who grow into adults you can be proud of. With his signature wit and wisdom, international parenting expert Dr. Kevin Leman reveals eight no-nonsense strategies that build on the foundations of character, good behavior, respect, discipline, and a winning attitude. It is possible to raise a successful child in a “whatever” generation - 8 Secrets to Raising Successful Kids makes it simple.

Time is on the move. It is galloping by at an amazing speed. What is really important in life as the seconds tick by? Are the shocking events happening around the globe getting your full and complete attention? Life is a vapor that vanishes right before your eyes. What if you are looking at life from the wrong angle? What if you are actually looking at life from the wrong side? If you are making such a fatal error, wouldn’t you want to know that before you take your last breath? The Last Ride by Mark Cahill is reminding you that history is rushing towards its final conclusion. The finish line is in sight. Your days are winding down. Do you need a strong wake up call? Are you ready to meet the King? Are you getting others ready for Judgement Day? The hour is late, and it is just about time for the last ride!

Cross Reference Library is located at 209 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff, NE,
and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

What's New at Cross Reference Library - Raising sons and new novels from Ashley Clark

In The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark, Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie’s past are brought to light. In 1946, Millie Middleton - the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman - boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever… and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future. Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek… and a chance at the dress shop they’ve both dreamed of. But it’s not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what’s frayed between the seams.

In Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark, a spark is forming between Eliza, a talented watercolorist, and William, a charming young man with a secret that could ruin her career. Their families forbid their romance because of a long-standing feud over missing heirloom silver. Still, Eliza and William’s passion grows despite the barriers, causing William to deeply regret the secret he’s keeping… but setting things right will come at a cost. In present day Charleston, a mysterious benefactor gifts Lucy Legare an old house, along with all the secrets it holds - including enigmatic letters about an antique silver heirloom. Declan Pinckney, whom Lucy’s been avoiding since their disastrous first date, is set on buying her house for his family’s development company. As Lucy uncovers secrets about the house, its garden, and the silver, she becomes more determined than ever to preserve the historic Charleston property, not only for history’s sake but also for her own.

Dads today are often overwhelmed with both the responsibility and the complexity of raising sons in this challenging culture. At the same time, self-initiation is killing our young men. Without strong mentors, boys are walking alone into a wilderness of conflicting messages about who they should be as men. It’s no wonder that our sons are confused about what the world expects from them and what they should expect of themselves. The Intentional Father is a helpful antidote. This concise book is filled with practical steps to help men raise sons of consequence - young men who know what they believe, know who they are, and will stand up against the negative cultural trends of our day. Jon Tyson lays out a clear path for fathers and sons that includes specific activities, rites of passage, and significant “marking moments” that can be customized to fit any family. It’s not enough to hope our sons will become good men. We need them to be good at being men. This book shows fathers, grandfathers, and other male mentors how to lead the way.

Cross Reference Library is located at 209 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff, NE,
and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

What's New at Cross Reference Library - New fiction from Jody Hedlund and Jonathan Cahn

In the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton - the future author of Amazing Grace - is just a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life. His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father - until the night he hears Polly Catlett’s enchanting voice, caroling. He’s immediately smitten and determined to win her affection. An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John’s reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerned for the responsible, devout Polly. When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever. Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves? Step back through the pages of history in Newton & Polly by Jody Hedlund, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe.

The Harbinger caused a worldwide stir… The Harbinger II: The Return by Jonathan Cahn goes even further and reveals what could not be revealed until now. Discover the signs and manifestations that have appeared in America and the world up to this very moment - and what they reveal about the future. Unlock the mysteries of the Gate, the Book of Days, the Image, the Judgement Tree, the Children of the Ruins, the Shakings, the Plague, the Mystery Ship, the Western Terrace, the Day of the Watchman… And learn the keys, the hope, and the answer. You will never see the world the same way again.

Living in London’s poorest slum, Mercy Wilkins harbors little hope for a better life. So when she’s offered the opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees. The journey abroad is her only prospect to escape a bleak future - both for herself and to help her sister who’s suffering in a workhouse. Wealthy and titled Joseph Colville leaves everything behind and takes to the sea to escape the pain of losing his family. As the ship’s surgeon, he’s in charge of the passengers’ welfare aboard the Tynemouth, including sixty brides-to-be. He has no immediate intention of settling down, but when Mercy becomes his assistant, the two must fight against a forbidden love. With hundreds of single men congregating along the shore of Vancouver Island, eager to claim a bride from the Tynemouth, will Mercy and Joseph miss their chance at true love, or will they overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart? Find out in Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund.

Cross Reference Library is located at 209 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff, NE,
and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

What's New at Cross Reference Library - People pleasing, life struggles and motivating your kids

We all want other people to like us and think well of us. But when we depend on the praise, admiration, or appreciation of others for our sense of self-worth, we become trapped in an exhausting and debilitating cycle of people pleasing relationships where we always give and rarely receive. Thankfully, the solution to the people pleaser’s “problem” isn’t to fundamentally change who you are - it’s to fundamentally change where you find your worth. In The People Pleaser’s Guide to Loving Others Without Losing Yourself, Dr. Mike Bechtle shows you how to stop letting your fears of rejection, criticism, invisibility, or inadequacy drive your actions and start rebuilding your sense of self-worth from the inside out. When you do, you’ll discover that what you once thought of as a struggle is one of your greatest strengths.

In Afraid of the Light by Cynthia Ruchti, clinical psychologist Camille Brooks isn’t put off by the lifestyle of her hoarder clients and the distress of their families. She lost her mother to this crippling anxiety disorder - so she’ll go a long way to help others avoid the same pain. Despite Camille’s expertise, her growing audience for her Let In The Light podcast and the recognition she’s gaining for her creative coaching methods, she’s not prepared for the pushback. A client who looks uncannily like her mom catches her off guard and raises long-dormant issues. And the revelation that Camille has her own hoarding problem sends her spinning. With the help of a cadre of unexpected friends, an enigma of a man who refuses to be discouraged, and the God who created and loves her, can she face her fears, pull back the curtains, and let the light into her own life?

Do you ever feel the pressure to hide your struggles in order to look like a “good Christian”? The truth is, we all face battles and hurts in our lives. Scripture is full of God-fearing men and women who tried to cover up their problems. For Mary and Martha, the death of their brother Lazarus was the ultimate devastation. They put his body in a dark place and rolled a stone in front of it. But God knew where they buried their pain, and He knows where you bury yours too. In Half The Battle, Jon Chasteen explores Old and New Testament examples of people whom God invited to begin the healing process by confronting their secret pain. God wants to visit the place of your pain, redeem your past, and set you free - will you let Him?

You’ve lost someone you love. Or you’re on the brink of losing your marriage… your dreams… your health. Or perhaps the trauma of your past pursues you into the present. Your life is going to change. Which way it goes won’t be decided by your loss but by the choices you make. At the crossroads of grief, one road will lead to hope and healing. The other, to more hurt. Hope When Your Heart is Breaking is an honest look at both roads, and how your greatest loss can lead to your greatest gain. Author Ron Hutchcraft writes from the deep well of his own devastating loss and grief, pointing you to practical steps that lead to peace and wholeness. This book is a pathway to hope - a roadmap through the pain and grief and loss. Discover new strength through a new closeness to others and to God. Make the decisions that lead to comfort, growth, and life.

Do you need a breakthrough? Are you stuck fighting the same battles with kids who seem totally unmotivated by change? The truth is, every child is motivated, you just need to learn how to unlock your child’s unique heart. In Start With The Heart, you’ll learn practical, manageable strategies for motivating your kids toward healthy life habits, including how to address beliefs that affect behavior, respond to consistent complaining, increase resiliency and decrease fear of hard work, listen longer and teach your kids to know themselves, and create change that lasts long-term. Plus, Dr. Kathy Koch will teach you what really irritates kids (they’ve told her), and how to identify and avoid actions that break down trust. Move your kids from “I can’t” to “I can, I will, I did”.

Cross Reference Library is located at 209 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff, NE,
and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

What's New at Cross Reference Library - New fiction, and accepting that it’s okay to not fit in

In Afraid of the Light by Cynthia Ruchti, clinical psychologist Camille Brooks isn’t put off by the lifestyle of her hoarder clients and the distress of their families. She lost her mother to this crippling anxiety disorder - so she’ll go a long way to help others avoid the same pain. Despite Camille’s expertise, her growing audience for her Let In The Light podcast and the recognition she’s gaining for her creative coaching methods, she’s not prepared for the pushback. A client who looks uncannily like her mom catches her off guard and raises long-dormant issues. And the revelation that Camille has her own hoarding problem sends her spinning. With the help of a cadre of unexpected friends, an enigma of a man who refuses to be discouraged, and the God who created and loves her, can she face her fears, pull back the curtains, and let the light into her own life?

You were never meant to fit in - you were made to stand out. With passion, purpose, a large dose of humor, and a wild sense of wonder, Optimisfits offers a road map for a better way to live. It’s calling you to seize your status as an outsider and wage a fierce rebellion against the hopelessness of the world by living out an intensely optimistic approach to every day. Ben Courson and a band of misfits invite you to join them on an epic adventure with God and with the Squad. Hope is dope! And it’s time to spread it like fire. Are you ready to make a real difference and ignite the world? Join the Optimisfits and see sparks fly!

All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother’s descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish - that she become the teacher in Ballyman, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she’s heard so much about. After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira’s mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she’s journeyed to Ballymann to do. In A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel, Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends - and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced - as she seeks to navigate a life she’d never dreamed of… but perhaps was meant to live.

Cross Reference Library is located at 209 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff, NE,
and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

What's New at Cross Reference Library - Resilience in Christian leadership and ministry

As new research continues to show, the cultural gap between secularism and the convictional church will continue to widen. What will this mean for the Christ-follower of 2050? Children’s ministry workers and youth leaders are asking, “Are we adequately discipling today’s kids to lead the future of the church in a culture that’s becoming increasingly hostile to the gospel?” For many, the answer to that question is “no” and a new conversation around making resilient disciples is emerging. Resilient is an honest calling to ask robust questions about the future of faith. It is a timely conversation in the midst of changing cultural landscapes. It is a love letter to the church about the children who will one day lead and minister in the face of cultural adversity. Pastors, children’s ministry leaders, and disciple-makers are realizing and asking, “Are we giving kids lesser things that will not travel with them into their adult lives?” In Resilient Child Discipleship, Valerie Bell looks beyond the tactics of everyday ministry and focuses our energy on the few, key factors that truly contribute to effective, long-term discipleship.

Adversity often comes without warning. Bad news is shocking; betrayal is heartbreaking. As a church leader, it’s natural to feel defensive and want to fight back. But fear and anger make for a poor strategy when it comes to resolving conflict. Is it possible to rise about the storm and even thrive despite it? Ordained minister and leadership consultant Alfred Ells says yes, it is. Through stories of leaders who have suffered the traumas of betrayal, conflict, and failure, he provides insights, wisdom, and instruction on how to leverage adversity to become a resilient leader skilled at repairing any breach. The Resilient Leader is a trusted guide that helps you maneuver the tricky waters of organizational adversity, recover with resiliency, and develop a thriving organization.

Church growth models have often been long on promises and short on disciple-making. We continue to watch consistent church attendance shrink, and our desire to reach the lost is infected with a need for self-validation by growing our numbers at any cost. If we believe that God wants His church to grow, where do we go from here? What is the future of the church? Drawing from his 20 years and 15,000 hours of consulting, author Will Mancini shares with pastors and ministry leaders the single most important insight he has learned about church growth. With plenty of salient stories, and based solidly on the disciple-making methods found in Scripture, Future Church exposes the church's greatest challenge today and offers seven transforming laws of real church growth, so we can faithfully and joyfully fulfill Jesus's Great Commission.

Ready to overcome setbacks in ministry? As a church leader, you may have begun ministry with dreams of making an eternal impact. But years of striving, stress, and strain have left you feeling defeated, disillusioned, and stalled. Thankfully, there is hope that your ministry can turn around and thrive. As a former pastor who’s been in the trenches, Dale Sellers of 95Network reveals that God is not keeping score, it’s impossible to let God down, and doing ministry from Jesus - not for Him - is your key to a thriving church. In Stalled, you will discover your sweet spot and realize you are closer to being “there” than you know.

Cross Reference Library is located at 209 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff, NE,
and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

What's New at Cross Reference Library - Addressing challenging topics and encouragement for women

In The Escape by Lisa Harris, US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn have orders to transport two high-profile prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest. With both pilots and one prisoner dead - and one fugitive on the run - Madison and Jonas must negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry as they track a murderer who is desperate to disappear… and will do anything to stop them.

When was the last time you had an honest, heartfelt, yet kind and productive conversation with someone about depression, mental illness, substance abuse, pornography, premarital sex, racism, divorce, abortion, LGBT issues or politics? Our tendency is either to avoid talking about such volatile topics at all - even with other Christians - or to go on the attack, causing rifts that do nothing to encourage further discussion or growth. If you’re tired of avoiding tough conversations - if you want to be a light in a dark world but you’re not sure how - then Challenging Conversations by Jason Jimenez is the book you’ve been waiting for. With straightforward answers to some of the most challenging moral issues disrupting the church, this book will help you build your confidence with three simple steps to becoming a conversant Christian. Each chapter beings with a true story, clarifies misconceptions and misunderstandings about the subject, and equips you to build rapport, ask the right questions, find points of agreement, and take the next fruitful step in the relationship. Because even if we disagree on a moral issue, that shouldn’t make us mortal enemies.

Are you in a season of life when every search for direction, encouragement or fulfillment seems to come up empty? You thought God had you in a place to thrive and grow, but you are ready to call it quits. There has to be something better. You don’t need a new garden; you just need to learn how to dig! In Acres of Diamonds, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Jentezen Franklin helps you discover how you can gain the most out of where you are. Rather than give up and run toward better pastures when life gets difficult, you can seek and celebrate opportunities for growth and success right now. With Pastor Jentezen’s counsel, you will learn to make your plot of ground fruitful. You will grow more, become more, do more. You will find joy in every opportunity as you uncover the hidden potential within your family, job, ministry, and community. God has a perfect plan for you. Find it - His very best - right where you are.

If you’re skinny, fat, short, tall, or somewhere in between… If you’ve ever thought that losing weight would lead to happiness… If you’ve ever avoided a mirror because you didn’t want to see your reflection… If you’ve found Jesus or you’re still searching… Well girl, you’ve come to the right place! You’ll find a sassy, funny, authentic and encouraging friend in master word weaver Jami Amerine, as she comes alongside you to share God’s overwhelming grace and patience in an inside-out journey to wellness. She’ll introduce you to a heavenly Father who adores you, right where you are. And she’ll let you have a peek into the insane ride of her life that led her to complete freedom after years of hating herself - while she was completely and utterly adored by Jesus. This transformational read will set you free. Hilarious, raw, and somehow poetic, Well, Girl offers scriptural truths, honest and thought-provoking ideas about wellness, and an in-depth look at a life free from culture’s lies - with increased self-worth, better overall health, and more confidence in your physical appearance.

Are you a Martha who feels guilty for not being a Mary? Do you want to sit at Jesus’ feet as Mary did - but you feel the need to get things done? In Made Like Martha, Katie M. Reid invites you to exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom without abandoning your doer’s heart in the process. Through her own story and rich biblical illustrations, Katie reminds you that it’s not important whether you sit and listen or stand and work. What matters is that your spiritual posture is one of a beloved daughter who knows she doesn’t need to earn God’s love. Your desire to get things done is not something to temper but something to embrace as you serve from a place of strength and peace - knowing Christ already did His most important work for you on the cross. With “It Is Finished” activities at the end of each chapter and a five-week Bible study included, this book will help you find rest from striving even as you celebrate your God-given design to “do”.

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