What's New at Cross Reference Library? Discover Jesus in the Darkness

Rediscover Jesus - I think about this often, and I always come to the same realization. I don’t know Jesus anywhere near as well as I would like to know Him. The desire is there, but life gets in the way. There are times when I seem to be making great progress, and other times when I wonder if I know Him at all. But I always arrive back at the same inspiring and haunting idea: If there is one person that we should each get to know in a deeply personal way, it is Jesus—the carpenter from Nazareth, the itinerant preacher, the Son of God, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Lamb of God, the new Adam, the Messiah, the Alpha and the Omega, the Chosen One, the Light of the World, the God-Man who wants goods things for us more than we want them for ourselves, the healer of our souls. The best time to rediscover Jesus is right now. I don’t know what God has in store for you, but I am excited for you. There are some questions that we all ask ourselves in different ways: Who am I? Who is God? What am I here for? What matters most? What matters least? What are my unique talents and abilities? What will my contribution be? We discover the answers to these questions most completely by encountering Jesus. He longs to help us discover deeply personal answers to our deeply personal questions. 

When Life Goes Dark - Depression strikes millions, across all demographic groups. Approximately one in eight will have a severe depressive episode at some point in their life. Women experience depression twice as often as men. And over 50 percent of people with serious depression do not get adequate help. What can be done? Richard Winter explores the complex medical, psychological and spiritual issues surrounding depression. He presents recent scientific research on its biochemical and genetic causes and examines social and cultural factors. Dispelling common Christian misunderstandings, Winter explores the dynamics of despair, loss, anger, guilt, shame and spiritual warfare. Even in the shadow of the valley of death, God can bring healing and deliverance. This book is a helpful guide for those who find themselves, their loved ones or those they counsel vulnerable to depression. Find here a framework for understanding depression and rediscovering hope. 

Get Out of Your Head - The greatest spiritual battle of our generation is taking place between our ears. Again and again, we allow false thoughts about who we are to influence our thoughts about who God is and how He is at work in our lives. But we have the opportunity to stop our spinning minds and escape toxic thinking patterns. In Get Out of Your Head, Jennie Allen helps you transform your life by renewing your mind as she explores: 

• How what you believe about God shapes how you think of yourself. 

• The negative thought patterns that are keeping you stuck

• How to hold space for silence and community—and why they matter. 

• The science behind why your thoughts can change your life.

• Your God-given power to confront and overcome your fears.

When you reclaim your thinking patterns from the lies of the enemy, you are set free to set others free. In a very real way, your thoughts can change the world. So join Jennie in the battle and step boldly into freedom. Change is possible. You can live free.

When you think of a war, what usually comes to mind? Well, for me, I think of two sides of a conflict fighting on a battlefield with the weapon of their choice, hoping to prove a point. But today I’m not going to talk about the physical battles that are fought on a mud, grass, or even cement battlefield. Instead I’m going to try and shed some light on the kind of war that this week’s authors commonly explain and I title as: The Innerworkings of a Dispirited Mind. In When Life Goes Dark, author Richard Winter thoroughly explains what depression is and how it has effected a large majority of people throughout the societies of the world. “Constant feelings of inadequacy, failure, worthlessness, shame, and guilt plague the mind, and it seems as though others are watching and are critical of every action, “ according to Winter, this is how most people with depression feel on a daily basis. The devil uses these deep dark moments in a person’s life to his advantage, hoping that he can successfully strip them of any hope, love, or faith. But he tends to forget that our Heavenly Father who loves us, knows that we are not worthless, and will stop at nothing to make sure all of his children know that they are loved by Him. In Get Out of Your Head, Jennie Allen gives her readers a way to step out of that overwhelming cloud of self-doubt and discouragement. “What we believe and what we think about matters, and the enemy knows it. And he is determined to get in your head to distract you from doing good and to sink you so deep that you feel helpless, overwhelmed, shut down, and incapable of rising to make a difference for the kingdom of God.” But you can make a difference for the kingdom of God! You were given a very unique personality that the Heavenly Father placed inside you, so you could go out into the world and proclaim His name and the name of His Son Jesus. And finally, as interesting and helpful as the other books are, Rediscover Jesus truly puts the cherry on top of this impactful stack of books. You’ve experienced life when it had all gone dark, and you’ve managed to get that darkness out of your head for a while. So now the most important and the only thing left to do is to rediscover Jesus and to keep Him in your life for eternity, letting His light chase that deep darkness away forever. So come on down to the Cross Reference Library and check out these serious but important reads for yourselves.

The greatest spiritual battle of our generation is being fought between our ears.

- Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head

What's New at Cross Reference Library? Alton Gansky Books

Enoch - An unusual message is popping up in unexpected places around the world—in radio commercials, movies, TV shows, even within the pages of the New York Times. Believing that someone is playing an elaborate prank, FCC agent Gene Manford and FBI agent Katherine Rooney begin an investigation. But nothing in their training has prepared them for what they are about to encounter…A contemporary novel dealing with real spiritual warfare issues, Enoch will take you on a mind-bending, fast-paced journey through a story of good versus evil. 

The Prodigy - Undeniable miracles are following a rusty station wagon on its journey west. But the person behind them is no charismatic religious figure. He’s the six-year-old son of a poor single mother and the possessor of a gift he can’t explain. To multitudes, however, Toby Matthews is about to become a New Age messiah—and to unscrupulous opportunists, a ticket to undreamed-of wealth. But one person besides his young mother will see Toby for who he really is. Thomas York, a gifted but searching divinity student, finds in Toby a kindred spirit—brilliant, intuitive, hungry for truth. And as an evil beyond their comprehension unfolds, Truth will become their only weapon against a terrifying enemy unseen by all except Toby. A taut supernatural thriller, The Prodigy probes the influence of the invisible realm on the world around us and the indomitable power of the Light that shines in the darkness. 

Wounds - A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures. A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death. Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels. The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes. But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.

What's New at Cross Reference Library? Men of the Past, Present, and Future

7 Men - How did George Washington resist the temptation to become the first king of America, and why did William Wilberforce give up the chance to be prime minister of England? What enabled Jackie Robinson to surrender his right to fight back against racists, or Dietrich Bonhoeffer to jeopardize his freedom and safety to defy the Nazis? In this stirring and inspiring new work, New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas reclaims a long-lost sense of heroic—the idea that certain lives are worthy of emulation. Get to know the seven men in this book, and your life will be immeasurably richer. 

The Men We Need - The world needs real men. But here’s the problem: While we know what men are not supposed to be, it’s not clear to us what masculinity looks like when men are at their absolute best. Into our cultural confusion, Brant Hansen paints a refreshingly specific, compelling picture of what men are designed to be: keepers of the garden. Combining depth and humor, he calls for men of all interests and backgrounds (including avid indoorsman like himself) to be ambitious about the right things and to see themselves as protectors and defenders of the vulnerable, with whatever resources they have at their disposal. The Men We Need is witty, challenging, bracingly honest, and perfect for any man who wants to know “Why am I here?”--and is ready to show up. 

Digital Winter - Twenty-two-year-old Donny Elton sat in his bedroom as he did every morning, writing line upon line of unintelligible computer code from his wheelchair. The helpless savant had never spoken more than a few words at a time, so Stanley Elton, Donny’s father, was shocked to hear a voice from his son’s room: “Shadow, shadow on my left; shadow, shadow on my right…” That was the day the lights went out. Colonel Jeremy Matisse of the US Cyber Command discovers that a computer worm has destroyed power stations around the country and is continuing to evolve. The race is on to determine its source before urban centers self-destruct without communication, transportation, and vital services. Can Jeremy stop the cyber attack? What is its endgame? And who—or what—prompted Donny Elton to write the code that is bringing the world to its knees?

What's New at Cross Reference Library? Facing the Future

The Last Days - Osama bin Laden is dead. Saddam’s regime is buried. Baghdad lies in ruins. Now the eyes of the world are on Jon Bennett and Erin McCoy, two senior White House advisors, as they arrive in the Middle East to offer a historic Arab-Israeli peace plan and the American president’s new vision of freedom and democracy. But in the shadows lie men whose hearts are filled with evil—men for whom the prospects of peace go against everything they believe. And soon, one terrifying scheme after another begins to unfold: 

• An Iranian plot to send suicide bombers into the U.S.

• A terrorist plot to assassinate the prime minister of Israel

• A Jewish plot to blow up the Dome of the Rock 

As Jon and Erin face a battle for control of Jerusalem, a battle for control of the Holy Land, and an Iraqi plan to rebuild ancient Babylon, they can’t help but wonder: Are such signs evidence that they are living in the last days before the return of Christ? 

Foster the Family -  There are great rewards that come along with being a foster parent, yet there are also great challenges that can leave you feeling depleted, alone, and discouraged. The many burdens of your day—struggling children, difficult biological parents, and a broken system—are only compounded by the many burdens of your heart—confusion, anxiety, heartache, anger, and fear. With the compassion and insight of a fellow foster parent, Jamie C. Finn helps you see your struggles through the lens of the gospel, bringing biblical truths to bear on your unique everyday realities. In these short easy-to-read chapters, you’ll find honest personal stories and practical lessons that provide encouragement and direction from God’s Word as you walk the journey of foster parenting. 

Know Yourself Know Your Money - You decide your money and your future by what you do: You’re too tired to cook, so grab takeout instead. You worry about retirement, but haven’t started saving. You want financial peace, but keep making the same money mistakes. That’s why you need more than a plan for your money. You need to understand why you make the choices you do. In Know Yourself Know Your Money, #1 New York Times bestselling author and financial expert Rachel Cruze helps you discover what’s at the root of your behavior: 

• How to overcome your biggest money fears

• How your childhood impacts your money decisions today

• What really motivates your spending, saving, giving, and more

Understanding why you handle money the way you do changes everything. It means you can use your strengths to get out of debt and build wealth. You can finally afford, and achieve, your biggest dreams. You can even improve your relationships. When you know yourself and your money, you can finally stop worrying about finances—and start living life on your terms.

What's New at Cross Reference Library? Facing Life's Big Challenges

Do Hard Things - A growing movement of young people is rebelling against the low expectations of today’s culture by choosing to “do hard things'' for the glory of God. And Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge. Do Hard Things is the Harris twins’ revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential. Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life. Then they map out five powerful ways teens can respond to personal and social change. Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of an already-happening teen revolution challenges a generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today. 

Limitless Life - Afraid. Failure. Addict. Orphan. Damaged Goods. Purposeless. We all pick up labels that define us. But most aren’t true and put false limits on our lives. Thankfully, Jesus came to remove these labels and allow us to see ourselves as God does. In this transformational message, Pastor Derwin Gray reveals the amazing freedom we can find in Christ and the new labels he offers: Grace-covered. Courageous. Free. Purposeful. Faithful.   

Mission Drift - Without careful attention, faith-based organizations drift from their founding mission. It’s that simple, it will happen. Why do so many organizations wander from their mission, while others remain Mission True? Can a drift be prevented? In Mission Drift, HOPE International executives Peter Greer and Chris Horst show how to determine whether your organization is in danger of a drift, and they share the results of their research into Mission True and Mission Untrue organizations. Even if your organization is on course, it’s wise to look for ways to inoculate yourself against a drift. You’ll discover what you can do to prevent a drift or get back on track and how to protect what matters most.

What's New at Cross Reference Library?

To Win Her Favor - An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an offer he shouldn’t accept yet cannot possibly refuse. Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance—and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder—Maggie’s father, aging yet wily as ever, makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail—Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself. 

To Wager Her Heart  - Sylas Rutledge, new owner of the Northeast Line Railroad, invests everything he has into this new venture, partly for the sake of the challenge. But mostly to clear his father’s name. One man holds the key to Sy’s success—General William Giles Harding of Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation. But Harding is champagne and thoroughbreds, and Sy Rutledge is beer and bullocks. Sy needs someone to help him maneuver through Nashville’s society, and when he meets Alexandra Jamison, he quickly decides he’s found his tutor. But he soon discovers that the very train accident his father is blamed for causing is what killed Alexandra’s fiance and shattered her world. Spurning an arranged marriage by her father, Alexandra instead pursues her passion for teaching at Fisk University, the first freedman’s university in the United States. But family—and Nashville society—do not approve, and she soon finds herself cast out from both. Through connections with the Harding family, Alexandra and Sy become unlikely allies. And despite first impressions, Alexandra gradually finds herself coming to respect and even care for this man. But how can she, when her heart is still spoken for? Sy is willing to risk everything to win over the woman he loves. What he doesn’t count on is having to wager her heart to do it. Set against the real history of Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation and the original Fisk University Jubilee Singers ensemble, To Wager Her Heart is a stirring love story about seeking justice and restoring honor at a time in American history when both were tenuous and hard-won. 

The Daniel Dilemma - Christians today face a dilemma: in a world that seems to reject everything we believe, how do we walk closely with God without caving to pressure or alienating those we hope to reach? In this eye-opening new book, Chris Hodges provides a solution by examining the life of the prophet Daniel, who persevered in a corrupt culture that closely resembles our own and emerged as an influential force in God’s redemptive plan. The Daniel Dilemma shows us that we can hold firmly to biblical beliefs without becoming obnoxious, insulting, or mad. We can stand strong while loving others well. Standing for truth isn’t about winning the argument; it’s about winning hearts. And when we learn the secret of connecting before correcting, we discover that we can respond to today’s hard questions without compromising grace or truth. With fresh insights and practical ideas, Hodges encourages Christians struggling with our cultural reality to hold God’s standards high and his grace deep—just as Jesus did. 

Right up there with the fear of heights or of public speaking, is the ever-growing fear of rejection. It’s honestly an understandable fear, if you know what I mean. How many times can the answer be “No,” or how many judgmental looks do you have to receive before rejection becomes an unbearable phobia? Well in each of the new books that I read this week, the authors and characters face the concept of rejection and what it means for them and those around them. In To Win Her Favor Cullen is an Irishman who wants a fresh start, away from the heartache he left behind in his homeland. But when he first arrives in Nashville, Tennessee Cullen receives nothing but contempt from those around him. Getting a fresh start was also a little tricky when none of the land owners would sell to him just because he was Irish. By the end of the story, Cullen is finally able to convince those around him that beneath the funny accent and Irish build, he had a heart worth getting to know. The next book, To Wager Her Heart, takes place in the early 1870s around the same time and place that the Jubilee Singers were starting their career in music. Alexandra Jamison wants to become a teacher just like her late husband, but she can’t focus on fulfilling that wish when her father keeps trying to set her up with a man of his liking. To escape from the expectations of her father, Alexandra applies to work at the Freedman’s school, where the Jubilee singers attend, to become a teacher there. As you can imagine, her family rejected Alexandra for her decision to work at the Freedmen's school, but she truly believed that what she was doing was right. In our final book of the week, The Daniel Dilemma, Pastor Chris Hodges jam packed it with terrific insight on how to share your faith, but from a really cool perspective. Chapter by chapter from the book of Daniel, Pastor Hodges reminds us that Daniel persevered in a corrupt culture that closely resembles our own. Daniel and his people had their lives turned upside down by King Nebuchadnezzar, and the King tried to reject them of their names, their freedom, and even their faith. But when it came down to it, Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego wouldn’t reject God. It didn’t matter if the stakes were as high as being thrown into a lion’s den or into a fiery furnace, they refused to stray from the will of the Lord. Pastor Hodges also included tips on how not to reject who you are in Christ, and once you discover who that is, it will be so much easier to pursue your walk with God. So come on down to the Cross Reference Library and check out these excellent selections.

What's New at Cross Reference Library?

The Gifted Sophomores - Three High-School Sophomores—A cheerleader, a nerd, and a jock—rescued from the rubble of an earthquake. Miraculously healed of their injuries, then gifted with mysterious powers. 

One can see into the hearts of others.

One has feet that carry him to people in need.

One can’t stop talking about the Lord.

Before the earthquake, they weren’t even friends. Now, working together for Christ, they’re an evangelical dream team. But what will happen to their ministry when their brand-new gifts suddenly vanish? 

Vicious Cycle -  When fifteen-year-old Lance Covington finds an abandoned baby in the backseat of a car, he knows where she came from—she’s the newborn daughter of a meth addict he’s been trying to help. But when police arrest him for kidnapping, Lance is thrust into a criminal world of baby trafficking and drug abuse. His mother, Barbara, looks for help from Kent Harlan—the man whom she secretly, reluctantly loves and who once helped rescue her daughter from a mess of her own. Kent flies to her aid and begins the impossible work of getting Lance out of trouble, protecting a baby who has no home, and finding help for a teenage mother hiding behind her lies. In this latest novel of suspense and family loyalty, bestselling author Terri Blackstock offers a harrowing look at drug addiction, human trafficking, and the choices that can change lives forever. 

Lion of Babylon - Marc Royce worked for the State Department on a variety of clandestine assignments—that is, until personal issues led to his dismissal. When Alex Baird goes missing in war-torn Baghdad, State comes calling again. Alex is an intelligence agent—and a close friend of Royce. Three others have also dropped out of sight—a nurse, an aid worker, a wealthy young Iraqi. Are these cases linked? Rumors circulate about a kidnapping conspiracy, yet both American and local officials refuse to pursue it. Blocked at every turn, Royce eventually unearths a trail of secret encounters between sworn enemies. What he discovers could transform the course of rivalry and reconciliation throughout the Mideast. As the human and political drama escalates, can one man summon the courage to make a difference?

What's New at Cross Reference Library? Love Never Fails

Love Is - What would it take for someone to live out the Bible’s “Love Chapter” as literally as possible? In a radical attempt to shake up a life that felt unlivable, Kim Sorrelle set out on a yearlong experiment. Using 1 Corinthians 13 to the letter, Kim journeyed past her comfort zone into places and among people she never anticipated. From irritating employees to sexist short-term missionaries to a group of profoundly kind nuns, she shares her many unexpected encounters in a charming voice full of rueful self-reflection and comical commentary. But this is more than a social experiment. It’s an invitation to join Kim on her journey to understand the nuance and power of true love in action even as it fundamentally transforms your life. 

A Confident Mom -  As moms, we often doubt our ability to be the mom we want to be. Unpacking powerful lessons, biblical truths, and practical tools, bestselling author Renee Swope will help you take a deep breath of God’s grace and show you how to:

• Exchange the exhaustion of constantly correcting your child’s bad habits with meaningful and creative ways to connect with their hearts.

• Discover positive and encouraging daily practices that will help you notice and nurture your child’s character and unique God-given design.

• Let go of performance-based living and learn how to pursue relationship-driven parenting.

Discover simple ways to give your child what they need most through the power of heart-centered and character-focused parenting. This book will transform your perspective of parenting and change the way you see yourself as a mom and as a child of God. 

SMART Love - What would happen if you applied the game-changing principles of emotional intelligence to your most important relationship? Smart Love is a system for understanding both your own and your spouse’s emotions, managing those emotions, and walking hand in hand through situations when emotions run high. Through personal inventories, you’ll discover where you are strong and where you need improvement, and each section includes practical action steps you and your spouse can take to implement what you’ve learned. 

In the month of February, the month of love, it only makes sense that we bring in new books about love! While we have a lot of Romance novels among our fiction books, some readers may wonder what some of those characters did wrong or what they did right in their relationships. Personally I do find myself wondering that same thing, being since misunderstandings are a famous source of conflict in most Romance novels. In SMART Love the authors David and Jan Stoop shine some light on how to more easily prevent those misunderstandings. Both being certified counselors, the Stoops dedicate their lives to helping married couples work through their conflicts. And with that experience, they decided to use this book to explain their acronym: 

Self-awareness of your emotions

Managing your emotions

Accountability to yourself, your spouse, and others

Reading the other person’s emotions

Together in the land of emotions

And together they explain how this method has helped them and how it works for so many other couples. So while SMART Love deals with the mental idea of love, Love Is explains love as it is presented in 1 Corinthians 13. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” Author Kim Sorrelle goes into why patience is good, why envy is one of the seven deadly sins, and even why kindness is always the best medicine. Finally, the other book I read was A Confident Mom, which comes from the perspective of a mom who was pretty discouraged while raising two rambunctious boys. She even had a day where she was ready to turn in her motherhood letter of resignation. But then she read a newspaper article where the purpose was to encourage parents to “look for the gold in their children instead of focusing on their faults.” After that, she prayed to the Lord asking for help in finding those good characteristics in her children. And sure enough, Renee threw away that letter of resignation and was able to strengthen the love she had for her sons as the gold inside their hearts had shone through. So come on down to the Cross Reference Library at KCMI and check out these love-stricken books.

What's New at Cross Reference Library?

When Angels Fight - Leslie King was only 15 years old when she was trapped in a life of prostitution. She became one of the thousands of sex-trafficked individuals in the United States, often invisible to “regular” people who know nothing of the seedy underside of that life. Sold by men who promised love but delivered only heartache and caught in drug addiction to escape from the pain, Leslie’s life offered little future hope. Then God spoke. And Leslie answered his call, putting all her trust in God to deliver her. She got clean, got off the streets, and started rescuing other prostituted individuals. Today Leslie is a passionate and heroic advocate for trafficked women and girls in her community and across the country. More than a gritty, no-holds-barred deliverance story, When Angels Fight also includes stories from those Leslie has encountered in her work—police officers, judges, and other advocates and activists. Leslie also arms you with what you need to fight alongside her to make a difference in your own community. Walk this hard road with her, and you’ll grieve, you’ll be empowered—and you’ll never be the same. 

Twelfth Prophecy -  Life is fraught with danger in the village of Sychar in first-century A.D. But for Abigail, the Samaritan woman, the danger lies not as much from the ever-present Roman soldiers but from the rabbi and the people of Sychar. A woman of renowned beauty, whose reputation was tarnished at an early age, Abigail is pregnant … and the father is not her elderly husband, Zakane. While protecting her lover’s name, believing he will spirit her away, Abigail is imprisoned, then nearly stoned by her neighbors. She’s befriended by the beggar Leah, but even the beggars, the lowest of the low, don’t want her around. Abigail longs for love, kindness, a home for her soon-to-arrive baby … and forgiveness for her anguished soul. The answers will come from the most unlikely places. 

The Copper Scroll - On June 1, 1956, the New York Times broke a story that captured the imagination of the world. Another Dead Sea Scroll had been found, unlike any before it, describing unimaginable treasures worth untold billions buried in the hills east of Jerusalem and under the Holy City itself. In the years that followed, scholars came to believe that THE COPPER SCROLL COULD BE HISTORY’S GREATEST TREASURE MAP, one that could not only lead to the treasures but pave the way to the building of the Third Jewish Temple. But the scroll’s code has never been broken, and experts from all sides warn that any effort by Israel to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem would unleash a war of biblical proportions. Now, exactly fifty years after the Copper Scroll was unveiled, New York Times best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg takes you on his most exciting and heart-pounding ride yet. 

• Saddam Hussein is gone.

• Yasser Arafat is dead.

• A New Iraq is rising. 

Now White House advisors Jon Bennett and Erin McCoy find themselves facing a terrifying new threat triggered by an ancient mystery.   

As I look back, I sometimes wonder what God had in mind. My childhood wasn’t peaceful, safe, or calm as I experienced trauma after trauma. Yet I also see God’s hand.

— Leslie King

What's New at Cross Reference Library?

Kiss - Let me tell you all I know for sure. My name: Shauna. I woke up in a hospital bed missing six months of my memory. In the room was my loving boyfriend—how could I have forgotten him?---my uncle and my abusive stepmother. Everyone blames me for the tragic car accident that left me near death and my dear brother brain damaged. But what they say can’t be true—can it? I believe the medicine is doing strange things to my memory. I’m unsure who I can trust and who I should run from. And I’m starting to remember things I’ve never known. Things not about me. I think I’m going crazy. And even worse, I think they want to kill me. But who? And for what? Is dying for the truth really better than living with a lie? 

Burn - Janeal has long felt trapped in her father’s Gypsy culture. Then one night a powerful man named Salazar Sanso promises her the life she longs for—if she will help recover a vast sum of money tied to her father. When the plan implodes, Sanso and his men attack the gypsy settlement and burn it to the ground. During the blaze, Janeal is faced with a staggering choice. The impact of that moment changes her forever. As her past rises from the ashes, Janeal faces a new life-or-death choice. And this time, escape is not an option.  

Obsessed - Stephen Friedman is making a good living in good times. He’s just an ordinary guy, or so he thinks. But one day an extraordinary piece of information tells him differently. It’s a clue from the grave of a Holocaust survivor. A clue that makes him heir to an incredible fortune…a clue that only he and one other man can possibly understand. That man is Roth Braun, a serial killer who has been waiting for Stephen for thirty years. Roth was stopped once before. This time nothing will get in his way. Known worldwide for page-turning, adrenaline-laced thrillers, Dekker raises the stakes in this story of passion, revenge, and an all-consuming obsession for the ultimate treasure. 

Being scared. Horror book and film fans love experiencing that feeling. But when it comes down to people like me, and I’m practically a wimp, the idea of a bloodthirsty psychopath running the streets with a butcher knife or even making ridiculous demands of their victims, always makes me uneasy. In many of those books, the characters rarely ever have any hope or any awareness of a loving God. And that is how author Ted Dekker is different from other authors who write Thrillers. Beneath all the fear, occasional blood, and bloodthirsty psychopaths Ted Dekker makes sure to slip a deeper meaning into all of his books. He keeps his Christian values embedded in his work, but also makes it a challenge for his readers to try and look for that hope and love. In the selections Kiss and Burn the main characters both feel like outsiders in their own families. When Shauna loses her memory, she is constantly wondering if she really did want to hurt her brother in that crash, or if everyone was just accusing her wrongly. All while in the beginning of Burn, Janeal is realizing that the Gypsies make their living by conning people out of their money. In both scenarios they find themselves doubting what they believe in (or even what they might have believed, in Shauna’s case). Through their constant struggle, Shauna and Janeal hope for something better for their lives. Something to put their faith in, that won’t leave or forsake them. Wouldn’t it be great if they realized that they have a Father that cares about them a thousand times more than their earthly fathers did? Maybe they wouldn’t have felt so scared and alone for a majority of their stories, if they had known that unfailing love. In Obsessed Dekker’s challenge is for us to ask ourselves, “What obsession lies deep within each character? What are the pros and cons of these obsessions?” According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word obsession means, “A state in which someone thinks about something constantly.” For example, the character Roth Braun was obsessed for thirty years over getting the journal back. The journal that gave him the power he desperately wished to wield in his violent way of life. With that in mind I have my own challenge for whoever is reading this post. Ask yourself these questions, “What is my obsession, and is it good or bad for my life? More importantly, do I think about Jesus constantly? Is what He did for me on the cross forever a reminder in my life? Am I obsessed with my faith, and does it show?” Please come on down to the Cross Reference Library and check out these heart-racing novels.