What's New at Cross Reference Library?

Night - Born in the town of Sighet, Transylvania, Elie Wiesel was a teenager when he and his family were taken from their home in 1944 to the Auschwitz concentration camp, and then to Buchenwald. Night is the terrifying record of Elie Wiesel’s memories of the death of his family, the death of his own innocence, and his despair as a deeply observant Jew confronting the absolute evil of man. This new translation by his wife and most frequent translator, Marion Wiesel, corrects important details and presents the most accurate rendering in English of Elie Wiesel’s testimony to what happened in the camps and of his unforgettable message that this horror must never be allowed to happen again. 

The Martyr’s Song - “Make Me Beautiful.” That’s what Marci asks from the old woman. The woman offers the girl an unexpected gift in the form of a stunning story. At the end of World War II a band of embittered soldiers enter a peaceful Bosnian village. The cruel game of life and death that unfolds will forever change your understanding of life and eternity. Dive deep into The Martyr’s Song and see how you would respond when heaven and hell collide, when the unseen is more real than the seen, and when you view beauty through God’s eyes—and hear the music of heaven—for the first time.  

Every Prophecy of the Bible - Prophecy is much more than the events predicted in the Book of Revelation. It is not just for Bible scholars, pastors, and seminary students. Nearly one fourth of Scripture was prophetic when it was written, so obviously God intended through these predictions to reveal something about His character and His faithfulness—not just to the people who first heard them, but to us who read them today. Indeed, prophecy does much to demonstrate not only our future hope as believers in Jesus Christ but also the accuracy of the Bible, the righteousness of God, and the meaning of history. John F. Walvoord, one of the preeminent Bible prophecy scholars in the world today, explains in one volume every key prophecy from Genesis to Revelation—those already fulfilled as well as those yet to be fulfilled. He also discusses the importance of prophecy and guidelines for interpreting it. 

One of my most favorite things in the world is books! The smell, the texture, but most of all I love the way they make me feel on the inside. The way that the authors can place us in the lives of the characters they have created. They invest so much time into giving them a backstory, a conflict and a resolution, and somehow even tie it all up into a perfect little bow at the end of 200 pages or more. But what is even more fascinating is that not all of those “bows,” or endings are perfect. I guess that’s not the point either is it? What I found in each of these books this week, was how the stories of our past, no matter how horrible, will always lead us to our present. Depending on how we react to the events of our past, will determine how wonderful the present will be. In The Martyr’s Song we discover that the old woman is the mother from the story, who was put through so many horrific events in her past. She had lost so much and was put through so much pain. Since this was a book that was written by an author who writes thrillers, I was half expecting Eve to want revenge and do terrible things with it. But she was better than that and did good with her life. She moved to America, opened a flower shop, and dedicated her life to telling the traumatic story that changed her life so many years ago. Stories of the past don’t just have to be shown in fictional stories, but are often played out in autobiographies too. Night is a great example of that. Elie Wiesel walks us through his terrifying experience that he underwent in the Auschwitz concentration camps. Finally Every Prophecy of the Bible makes clear the “present” of those in the New Testament and even prophecies we are waiting to come true in our future. So come on down to the Cross Reference Library and discover these life changing books.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called present.

—Anonymous

What's New at Cross Reference Library?

Children’s Century Classics - When it comes down to getting kids excited about reading their Bibles, it can sometimes be a challenge. The Children’s Century Classics can help. With interesting illustrations and prompting discussion questions, kids can better understand the concepts that are found in our Bibles. Inside each volume, includes QR codes that can take you to bonus content online, along with the audio of the story so kids can experience the story as it is read. Starting in Genesis and going all the way to Revelation, these books help us experience the lives of the most well known people, who appear in the Bible. People like Abraham, David, Ruth, Paul, and John come to life on the pages. All of our favorite stories can be found too, like Balaam and the Talking Donkey, Daniel and the Lions’ Den, The Parables, and The Sermon on the Mount. So come on down to the Cross Reference Library and check out these engaging volumes.

What's New at Cross Reference Library?

The Beirut Protocol - Marcus Ryker has spent his whole life protecting others, first as a Marine, then as a Secret Service agent, and finally as a clandestine CIA operative. But this time it’s his own life that’s in danger. When a routine advance trip along the Israeli-Lebanese border goes horribly wrong, American operatives are ambushed and captured by a rogue Hezbollah special forces team. For the White House, it’s a nightmare scenario. If Marcus and his colleagues are tortured and executed on live television, the president will have no choice but to embroil the American people in yet another war they have no stomach for and likely can’t win. Marcus now faces a life-or-death battle, and the odds of survival are narrowing by the hour. Escape seems impossible Rescue is a quickly fading hope. All Marcus has to rely on is his training, his experience, and his faith. 

The Auschwitz Escape - As the Nazi war machine rolls across Europe, young Jacob Weisz is forced to flee his beloved Germany and join an underground resistance group in Belgium. In occupied France, assistant pastor Jean-Luc Leclerc and his wife find themselves the accidental organizers of a relief movement involving their entire town, as Jews from all over Europe arrive at their door, hoping for shelter from the growing political storms. As World War II rages, both men find themselves in a living nightmare. When a rescue operation goes horribly wrong, Jacob ends up trapped in a crowded, stinking cattle car on a train to southern Poland, while Luc is arrested and beaten by the Gestapo for helping Jews. Both men are sentenced to hard labor at Auschwitz. There they will be pushed to the very limits of human endurance … and beyond. The Protestant pastor and the Jewish freedom fighter seem an unlikely pair, yet these two are chosen to risk one of the most daring and dangerous feats imaginable—escape from Auschwitz. Their task is to get beyond the fences, evade the Gestapo trackers, and make it to the Allied forces, where they must reveal the awful truth of what is happening in Poland before Fascism overtakes all of Europe. The fate of millions hangs in the balance

Operation Joktan - Nir Tavor is an Israeli secret service operative turned talented Mossad agent. Nicole le Roux is a model with a hidden skill. A terrorist attack brings them together, and then work forces them apart—until they’re unexpectedly called back into each other’s lives. But there’s no time for romance. As violent radicals threaten chaos across the Middle East, the two must work together to stop these extremists, pooling Nicole’s knack for technology and Nir’s adeptness with on-the-ground missions. Each heart-racing step of their operation gets them closer to the truth—and closer to danger. In this thrilling first book in a new series, authors Amir Tsarfati and Steve Yohn draw on true events as well as tactical insights Amir learned from his time in the Israeli Defense Forces. For believers in God’s life-changing promises, Operation Joktan is a suspense-filled page turner that illuminates the blessing Israel is to the world.

Great Authors in Cross Reference Library

What Are You Afraid Of? - For many people, worry, anxiety, and fear are constant companions: fear of death, fear of danger, fear of disease. And too often, these fears are crippling, keeping us from the life God has called us to live. But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Dr. David Jeremiah. As Christians, we have been given all we need in order to face down even the most frightening, unexpected, and overwhelming obstacles in life. In his new book, What Are You Afraid Of? Dr. Jeremiah explores the top ten fears that are holding so many of us back from the life God has called us to live and shares the supernatural secrets for facing down these fears with faith.

I Never Thought I’d See The Day! - Many people are blind to the destructive cultural trends of the day. At the same time, others see the dangers but are too quick to minimize the negative impact these trends are having on society. Then there are those who see the chaos all around them but believe that resistance to the prevailing culture is useless. In the middle of all this confusion, Dr. David Jeremiah issues a prophetic warning: “We must understand that we are in a war for the very heart and soul of civilization or the consequences will be catastrophic.” In, I Never Thought I’d See The Day!, Dr. Jeremiah identifies the nine major indicators of this looming disaster and then issues a strategy for turning the tide and equips us with the weapons we need for the battle ahead. Above all, he brings a message of hope that our “culture at the crossroads” can be put back on the right path. 

Where Do We Go From Here? - The more we look around today, the more it seems our modern world and contemporary way of life are hanging by a thread. We’re emerging from the pangs of a pandemic, yet society remains haunted by the specters of socialism, globalism, and cancel culture. The economy is in flux, the church is in decline, and Jerusalem once again sits atop the powder keg of global politics. What should we do now? How can we move forward as citizens of God’s kingdom even as the world teeters on the brink? In Where Do We Go From Here?, bestselling author and respected Bible teacher Dr. David Jeremiah shows us that the colliding crises in our culture are not isolated incidents or random misfortunes. They are as connected as a spider’s web. With each passing day, tectonic forces are pushing us closer to the end of history. Yet this is not a time for despair! Instead, this is a time to examine ever more closely the calm assurance of God’s prophetic plan. These pages will help you do just that by exploring ten current moments and movements in light of that plan. Each chapter highlights what’s happening, what Scripture says, and where we can go from here.

What's New at Cross Reference Library? Amazing Grace

Showdown With Iran -  Bible prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock, PhD, is noticing a dangerous trend: the nation of Iran remains in the newspaper headlines for all the wrong reasons. In Showdown with Iran, he reveals why this rogue nation is so dangerous and how that connects to what the Bible says about what’s to come while encouraging readers to remain alert, aware, and hopeful as the end times near. He tackles questions such as:

• Does Iran plan to wipe Israel off the map?

• What does this mean for the future of the Middle East? 

• Where does Iran stand in Bible prophecy?

• What will be the role of the United States in Bible prophecy?

The warning of what will happen is not new. In the book of Ezekiel, the Bible records a multitude of predictions about the region then known as Persia as well as about the nation of Israel. These ancient prophecies foretell an end-time rise of Iran, as well as Russia and Turkey. But are the prophecies still unfulfilled today? Hitchcock is convinced Iran continues to play a central role in bringing about chaos in the Middle East. In Showdown with Iran, he explores the continued validity and accuracy of end-time prophecy and answers questions that will become increasingly relevant as the end times draw near. 

Lost in the Middle - The Bible never discusses midlife, just like it never discusses teenagers. Yet the Bible is able to address any of life’s experiences because it was written by the One who made them all. You will face things in midlife that beat at the borders of your faith, but you do not have to be lost in the middle of your story. You do not have to be paralyzed by regret, defeated by aging, and discouraged by the passing of your dreams. This middle period of life, which can seem like the end of many things, can actually welcome you to a brand new way of living. As is so often the case in your walk with the Lord, this moment of pain is also a moment of grace. 

The Next Jihad - News of Christians being killed overseas occasionally makes the headlines, but it’s rarely covered by mainstream media and often quickly fades away. While the world has been fixated on jihadist threats in the Middle East, terrorists from Nigeria to Kenya have had free reign to massacre on a scale far beyond that of terrorists in Iraq and Syria. Drawing from on-the-ground experience and personal testimonials, Rev. Johnnie Moore and Rabbi Abraham Cooper--two of the world’s leading advocates for religious freedom and human rights--explain what’s happening to Christians across Africa, why it matters, and what must be done now. 

Grace - We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the word for hospitals, baby girls, kings, and pre meal prayers. We talk as though we know what grace means. But do we really understand it? Have we settled for wimpy grace? It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” Who could say no? Max Lucado asks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace? God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide , turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret-riddled to better-because-of-it. From afraid-to-die to ready-to-fly. Grace is the voice that calls to change and then gives the power to pull it off. Let’s make certain grace gets you.

What's New at the Cross Reference Library? Coming of Age

Aggressive Girls, Clueless Boys - “Can you sneak out tonight?” What a brazen question for a tween girl to text a boy! In our sex-saturated world, how can parents address th idiomatic upswing of sexually forward girls in hot pursuit of their young sons? Aggressive Girls, Clueless Boys offers a solution to this unsettling cultural trend. Through seven guided “Talk About It” conversations, what-if scenarios, and honest responses to questions from real-life parents, Dennis Rainey offers a detailed guide on teaching your adolescent son to set boundaries and pursue the right kind of girl. It’s time for straight talk with your son! Give him the courage to stand strong in a world enticing him to throw away his sexual purity. 

When They Turn Away - We desperately want our children to have deep faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We want to arrive safely home in heaven together with our children. But what happens if our adult child leaves the church and turns away from the faith of his or  her childhood? Writing with compassion and honesty, author and pastor Rob Rienow shares a powerful message of hope: it’s never too late to point an adult child’s heart toward God. When They Turn Away shows you how to take a proactive role in leading your child back to faith through four biblical and practical steps: 

• Offer your heart to the Lord 

• Turn your heart to your child 

• Draw your child’s heart to yours

• Point your child’s heart to Christ

My Favorite Senior Moments - Ah, those senior moments we dread...and yet laugh about. Gentle humorist Karen O’Connor tickles your funny bone in these senior moments that also highlight the many blessings of living long. You’ll chuckle and want to share these stories that reveal the sunny...and funny...sides of life. They’ll encourage you to: 

• Embrace with good humor the startling honesty of grandkids 

• Go with the flow when you make silly mistakes 

• Choose to be optimistic instead of opting for pessimism

Yes, remember the good old days, but also look for the good in today. God is with you every step of the way--senior moments and all.

What's New at the Cross Reference Library? Let's be Honest!

A Flicker of Light -  For generations, the Jensen’s have raised their families in the small Montana town of Moose Creek, where gossip spreads faster than the wind. Yet some secrets need to be told. When twenty-one-year-old Bea discovers she’s pregnant on the heels of her husband losing his job, she’s forced to admit she needs help and asks her dad for a place to stay. But past resentments keep her from telling him all that’s going on. Mitch Jensen is thrilled to have a full house again, though he’s unimpressed with Bea’s decisions: dropping out of college, marrying so young--and to an idealistic city kid, of all things. Mitch hopes to convince Bea to return to the path he’s always envisioned for her, but she’s changed since her mom died. And he refuses to admit how much he’s changed, too, especially now that he might be losing his mother as well. Grandma June is good at spinning stories, but there’s one she’s never told. Now that her mind is starting to fade, her time to tell it is running out. But if she reveals the truth before her memories are gone forever, the Jensen family will never be the same. 

Straight Up - Are you looking for someone who’s not afraid to tell you the truth? Or a real source of wisdom when things get real? With his trademark combination of raw honesty backed by practical next steps, former NFL player Trent Shelton helps you navigate some of the most confusing topics you face, including relationships, friendships, fear, depression, and even your own past trauma. And while none of us make it out of the storms of life unscathed, the insight and lessons you’ll find in these pages can help you make it out stronger. Organized into 52 different bite-sized chunks of content you can pick up and read anytime you are looking for advice, searching  for answers, or just need a lift, this collection of real and raw, honest and practical wisdom will help you take the next important steps toward being the best you and living your best life. 

Undaunted Hope - Running from the mistakes of her past, Tessa Taylor heads to the uppermost reaches of Michigan, planning to serve as the new teacher to the children of miners. She quickly learns the town had requested a male teacher, but Percival Updegraff, superintendent and chief mine clerk, says she can stay through winter since it’s too late to replace her. Tessa can’t help but thank him and say she is in his debt. Determined to make herself irreplaceable once spring thaw arrives, Tessa throws herself  into her work, and soon two students have decided Miss Taylor is the right match for their grieving father. At the same time, charming assistant lightkeeper Alex Bjorklund makes his interest known, surprising Tessa, who has never had men fight for her hand before. But not all is well as she feels that someone is tracking her every move, and she may not be able to escape the trap that has been laid for her. 

It has been said that, “Honesty is the best policy,” but if that is the case, why do we all have so much trouble being honest with friends, family, and even ourselves. The books I read through this week all contain people and characters who struggle with doing just that. Believing it would be best for everyone involved, these characters keep the burdens of their past hidden. But as much as they deny it, those burdens will continue to weigh them down, the longer they keep them inside. In A Flicker of Light, it follows the story of Bea Michaels and her grandmother June Jensen who find themselves keeping a couple of big secrets from those who care about them. June intends to keep that part of her past safe, but as her memories start to slip away due to the effects of Alzheimer's disease, her hold on that lifelong secret starts to slip away also. In Bea’s case, she believed that if she waited to tell her dad about her pregnancy then she could prove to him that she didn’t waste her life by marrying young. It doesn’t matter if we are 20 or even 60 years old, when we keep something hidden in order to avoid conflict, the conflict always comes back to bite us in some way or another. And that is one of the many things Trent Shelton talks about in his book, Straight Up. Trent reminds us that being honest with ourselves is just as important as being honest with those around us. One truth that he gave us right away was, “Denying reality never helps.” You want to show that everything is just fine, while in reality it's time for you to ask for help. The last book I looked at was Undaunted Hope, which is the third book in the Beacons of Hope Series. In the previous book, Hearts Made Whole, Tessa Taylor betrayed her sister and ruined her own reputation in the process. Even though her sister Caroline ended up with the man and the job of her dreams, we are left wondering what will happen to Tessa. This book answers that question as we find Tessa trying to get a fresh start in Eagle Harbor, Michigan. But with a past as dark as hers, would a fresh start even be possible? To be honest if you want to find out what happens in these great page-turners, come on down to the Cross Reference Library and find out if the rumors in between the covers are true.

What's New at the Cross Reference Library? Difficult Conversations

Time for the Talk -  Time for the Talk will help fathers walk their sons through one of the most important conversations of their lives. “The Talk” is much broader than just a talk about sexuality; it’s a conversation about manhood, about right decisions, about Christ. Time for the Talk will assist you in giving your son what he needs to steer through the moral and spiritual confusion of this world and make wise, godly, character-forming decisions. You will be equipping him to enter true manhood--a passage that many young men today never make. This book not only provides a complete framework for discussing the key areas of manhood that every boy should learn from his father; it also guides you into developing a relationship based on truth and love that will endure for life. 

Challenging Conversations - 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, Challenging Conversations, from Perspectives: A Summit Ministries Series, 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 begins 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.

 On Pills and Needles - When Rick Van Warner found himself searching abandoned buildings for his missing son, he had no idea that the synthetic, pill-form heroin that had snared his teen was already killing so many. In the years of pain and heartache that followed as he tried to save his son from addiction, Van Warner discovered what the public has just recently become aware of: prescription opioids are so addictive that even short-term use can create dependency, igniting an epidemic that now claims nearly 100 American lives each day. On Pills and Needles is one family’s story, but it is also a wake-up call and crash course in opioid addiction. Through his harrowing personal journey, Van Warner exposes the common causes of opioid addiction, effective and ineffective ways it has been treated, and how families can walk alongside loved ones who are dealing with the daily agony of addiction.

What's New at the Cross Reference Library? When the Past Brought us to the Present

Run Baby Run -  Nicky Cruz’s heart had turned to stone when he was only three. His mother nicknamed him the “Son of Satan,” and he was severely abused, both physically and mentally. After moving from Puerto Rico to New York, Nicky became the leader of a notorious street gang--the Mau Maus. He turned into a violent street criminal before he was eighteen. David Wilkerson, a skinny preacher from Pennsylvania, reached out to him with relentless love. He said, “Nicky, Jesus loves you,” and this simple message opened the door to a new life for Nicky Cruz. Run Baby Run, now a classic, tells his exciting story with gripping openness. 

Present over Perfect - Written in Shauna’s warm and vulnerable style, this collection of essays focuses on the most important transformation in her life, and maybe yours too: leaving behind busyness and frantic living and rediscovering the person you were made to be. Present Over Perfect is a hand reaching out, pulling you free from the constant pressure to perform faster, push harder, and produce more, all while maintaining an exhausting image of perfection. Stop. Rest. Play. Create. Connect. Cultivate silence. And in that silence, you’ll discover the voice of love you’ve been aching to hear. Shauna offers an honest account of what led her to begin this journey, and a compelling vision for an entirely new way to live: soaked in grace, rest, silence, simplicity, prayer, and connection with the people that matter most to us. 

Hearts Made Whole - After her father’s death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren’t supposed to have such roles, so it’s only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper--even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her. Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He’s secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation--the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He’s not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who’s angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he’s unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope...and possibly love?

What is your story? How did you get from here to there? I was asked to share my testimony for the first time this summer, and I was completely stumped. As I was listening to everyone else share theirs, I thought to myself, “Dang, my testimony is pretty lame. Why wasn’t my life harder?” I look back on that now and realize that I was looking at that all wrong. Our testimonies aren’t just about the hard times in our lives. We tell our testimonies so that we can tell others how God changed our lives. And that is exactly what these three books are about this week. All of these authors and characters seem to be letting go, embracing, and even learning from their past. In Run, Baby, Run Nicky Cruz decides to embrace his terrible past in this unforgettable autobiography. Nicky truly takes us through the remarkable transition from gruesome gang fighter to fearless believer. Next we have Present Over Perfect, which encourages us to slow down long enough to appreciate the past and the present. The last book that I read through was Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund. We hadn’t gotten any new books in a while and so I was pretty curious to see what this one was about. In the subject of dealing with our past, this book contains two characters who have trouble letting go of their past. As Ryan is trying to deal with traumatic events of the war, Caroline has to give in to the fact that her father is gone and she has to do whatever it takes to fill his shoes and raise her younger siblings on her own. Through these books, we are reminded that God never forgets about us. He has a plan for each and every one of us. So come on down to the Cross Reference Library and check out these great books. 

What's New at Cross Reference Library? - Life’s Tough, But it Could Always be Worse

Forgotten Girls - All over the world, women and girls face starvation, displacement, illiteracy, sexual exploitation and abuse. In fact, statistics show that the world’s most oppressed are overwhelmingly female. Moved by their plight, Kay Marshall Strom and Michele Rickett took a trip across continents to partner with ministries working to help females and to interview girls in some of the most difficult places in the world. These pages hold those girls’ stories: stories of deep pain and suffering, inspiring courage, and incredible hope. They are the stories of girls who have discovered their value in God’s eyes, in the midst of cultures that have rejected them. They are stories of rescue and redemption by God working through compassionate people--people like you. These pages might hold pieces of your story as well, as the authors invite you to pray and speak on behalf of the millions of women and girls who still need to know how much they’re worth. The authors provide specific, practical action steps and prayer points that allow you to get involved as God leads.  

Un-Common - Author Carey Scott invites you to journey alongside her as she introduces you to women from the Word who chose to live uncommon lives even in the toughest circumstances. From stepping into scandalous situations to breaking cultural norms to risking the departure of a comfortable life, you will discover hope and motivation to live God’s way in a world that screams, “Tuck your faith away! Just be normal like everyone else!” Now more than ever, it’s time to step into something new...something life-changing and life giving. God is asking you to shine His light into a world that needs to know there is a better way to live. And  when you say yes to becoming uncommon, it's a radical act of obedience to the One who created you to be extraordinary. With authenticity, vulnerability, humor, and refreshing boldness, Uncommon will empower you to rise up...to reject the common...to embrace your calling...and to live in a way that points others to God. Buckle up, friend. It’s time to be uncommon.

Hope When Your Heart is Breaking - 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 of 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.

Growing up, I was always complaining, like most kids do, about how hard my life apparently was. Yet my dad would always reply, “Well, at least you don’t live in a tin hut in Uganda, eating the latest grab from the local dumpster.” After a while it became a little joke between the two of us. But as I began to read Forgotten Girls, I started to realize how truly blessed I am. The stories that Kay Marshall Strom and Michele Rickett heard while on their journey were just devastating. The first story they tell is about a little Indonesian girl named Beti. She was an orphan girl who was brutally beaten and abused by the local witch doctor who took her in. The Christian seminary that was in the village at the time heard about her mistreatment and were able to rescue her. Each of the stories that were found by these two authors are all examples of how much God loves us. Even when hope seems so far away and it looks like God has just forgotten about us, the perfect miracle happens and we realize that God never left us in the first place. Another part of life that always seems like the “end of world” is being Un-Common. I know that I can personally say that being myself in public constantly feels like a bad idea. But author Carey Scott reassures her readers through personal experience and biblical examples, that it is ok to be exactly who God made you to be. The final book I read through was Hope When Your Heart Is Breaking. This book was written by a guy who had gone through some devastating losses over the past few years. He lost his wife unexpectedly and his father passed away during an open heart surgery. But Ron Hutchcraft reminds us that in those circumstances, there is still hope. In chapter two, he tells a story about his last moments with his dad. When his dad was preparing for his open heart surgery, he asked Ron to read the Twenty-third Psalm. So he read verses one through three, but once he stopped, his father continued from memory with verses four through six. Ron could tell that his dad was at peace in that moment feeling the hope in those verses. And not too long after, as Ron put it, “Biblically, he relocated to “the house of the Lord forever.” So if life seems pretty insane right now and you need a little hope and encouragement, come on down to the Cross Reference Library and check out these very special page turners!

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:4,6)