What's New in the Cross Reference Library? Ted Dekker Reads!

Blink of an Eye - Miriam is a Saudi princess promised to another, a pawn in a political struggle that could shift the balance of power in the Middle East. Seth is a certified genius with a head full of numbers, a life full of baggage, and an attitude born on the waves of the Pacific. Cultures collide when they find themselves thrown together as fugitives is a high-stakes chase across Southern California. A growing attraction and a search for answers fuel their fight to survive…but with no sleep and a massive manhunt steadily closing in, their chances of surviving any future are razor thin. 

Forbidden - Many years have passed since civilization’s brush with apocalypse. The world’s greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace…and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity. Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love. But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed. Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare to take the ride.

What's in the Cross Reference Library? Great Family Living Books

The Beauty of Broken - Are you exhausted by the fairy-tale idea that following Jesus will mean our families won’t suffer? That a parenting formula can guarantee our children will turn out okay? That our families will be immune from being broken because we love God? In The Beauty of Broken, Elisa Morgan, one of today’s most respected female Christian leaders, shares for the first time her very personal story of brokenness—from her family of origin to her family of creation, represented by her husband and two grown children. Over the years, Elisa’s family struggled privately with issues many parents must face, including:

• Alcoholism and drug addiction

• Infertility and adoption

• Teen pregnancy and abortion

• Divorce

• Homosexuality and death

Each story layers onto the next to reveal the brokenness that comes into our lives without invitation. “We’ve bought into the myth of the perfect family,” says Elisa. “Formulaic promises about the family may have originated in well-meaning intentions, but such thinking isn’t realistic. It’s not helpful. It’s not even kind.” Elisa offers hope in the form of “broken family values” that allow parents to grow and thrive with God. Values such as commitment, humility, relinquishment, and respect carry us to new places of understanding. Owning our brokenness shapes us into God’s best idea for us to discover the beauty in ourselves and each member of our families.

The Family You’ve Always Wanted - Marriage and family expert Dr. Gary Chapman offers answers in The Family You’ve Always Wanted. He digs deep into five key characteristics that help create a healthy, nurturing family environment: 

• A heart for service

• Husbands and wives who relate intimately 

• Parents who guide their children

• Children who obey and honor parents

• Husbands who love and lead

In this updated and revised edition of Five Signs of a Loving Family, readers will find great advice, useful tips, and amazing insight into family dynamics illustrated by stories from Chapman’s own family and his counseling experience. Hands-on assessments, questions, and opportunities for deeper discussion offer practical steps to strengthen your family. Begin today building the family you’ve always wanted!

What's in the Cross Reference Library? Best Sellers from Joel C. Rosenberg

The Last Jihad - Jon Bennett and Erin McCoy are two of the shrewdest strategists on Wall Street and close friends of the president of the United States. Their secret project: a billion-dollar oil deal off the coast of Tel Aviv and Gaza that could form the basis of a historic peace treaty and bring enormous wealth to every Israeli and Palestinian. But nothing has prepared Jon or Erin for the terror that lies ahead. 

• Terrorists hijack a jet plane and fly a kamikaze mission into an American city. 

• Israeli commandos foil a nuclear attack but find evidence that the next targets could be Washington and New York.

• And suddenly the United States finds itself in a war in the Middle East over terrorism and weapons of mass destruction that will forever change the course of human history.

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?

What's in the Cross Reference Library? The Journey Away From Insecurity

Well, Girl - 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 listen 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.

So Long, Insecurity - Perhaps one of the biggest issues all women face is their own insecurity. Beth Moore, one of today's most admired and trusted Christian writers, wants women to be free from the insecurity trap. So Long, Insecurity will strike a chord with women everywhere, as Beth speaks truth into the lives of readers, showing them how to deal with their innermost fears, rediscover their God-given dignity, and develop a whole new perspective--a stronger sense of self. Women of all ages and backgrounds will resonate with this message of security and discover truths that will free them emotionally and spiritually and lead them to a better life as they walk with God.

What's New in the Cross Reference Library?

Unbroken - In boyhood, Louis Zamperini was an incorrigible delinquent. As a teenager, he channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that carried him to the Berlin Olympics. But when World War II began, the athlete became an airman, embarking on a journey that led to a doomed flight on a May afternoon in 1943. When his Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean, against all odds, Zamperini survived, adrift on a foundering life raft. Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, thirst, and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will. Unbroken is an unforgettable testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit, brought vividly to life by Seabiscuit author Laura Hillenbrand. 

The Heart of the Artist - God is interested in your art and your heart. The Heart of the Artist, now in an updated second edition, deals head-on with issues every person in an arts ministry faces, including: 

• Servanthood versus stardom

• Excellence versus perfectionism

• Handling criticism

• Jealousy and envy

• Managing your emotions

• The spiritual disciplines of the artist

• And much more

Each chapter includes provocative questions for group discussion and personal action steps for individual application. Somewhere between pride and self-abasement lies true humility—just one aspect of the balanced character God wants to instill in you as a musician, a technical media artist, or another creative person involved in ministry. The Heart of the Artist will give you a better understanding of yourself and your unique place in the body of Christ. You’ll find wisdom and encouragement that can help you survive the challenges and reap the rich joys of a ministry in the creative arts.  

What's in the Cross Reference Library? All I want for Christmas is...

The Christmas Sweater - When Eddie was twelve years old, all he wanted for Christmas was a bike. Although his life had gotten harder—and money tighter—since his father died and the family bakery closed…Eddie dreamed that somehow his mother would find a way to have his dream bike gleaming beside their modest Christmas tree that magical morning. What he got from her instead was a sweater. “A stupid, handmade, ugly sweater” that young Eddie left in a crumbled ball in the corner of his room. Scarred deeply by the realization that kids don’t always get what they want, and too young to understand that he already owned life’s most valuable treasures, that Christmas morning was the beginning of Eddie’s dark and painful journey on the road  to manhood. It will take wrestling with himself, his faith, and his family—and the guidance of a mysterious neighbor named Russell—to help Eddie find his path through the storm clouds of life and finally see the real significance of that simple gift his mother had crafted by hand with love in her heart. 

Christmas at Carnton - Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year-old son. With the bank threatening to evict, she discovers an advertisement for the Women's Relief Society auction and applies for a position—only to discover it's been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity—and friendship. But can Aletta trust this man? Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffered a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Women's Relief Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of "crinolines" isn't his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies—one, in particular—is far more than he bargained for. Set against the backdrop and history of the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas at Carnton is a story of hope renewed and faith restored at Christmas.

What's in the Cross Reference Library? Donna VanLiere Christmas Books!

The Christmas Hope - Patricia and Mark Addison have long given up the hope of having a meaningful Christmas. But this year, Patricia’s job as a social worker will lead her to a very special five-year-old: Emily. Against her better judgment, Patricia bends the rules and takes the little girl into her own home. Through the presence of Emily in their house, and her penetrating questions about heaven, the Addisons will learn that there is no sorrow so great that faith cannot help you find your way through. And Christmas will once more be a time of warmth in their home. The Christmas Hope is a story of love in the face of loss, joy when all seems hopeless, and how light can shine into the darkest places. 

The Christmas Shoes - Robert is a successful attorney who has everything in life—and nothing at all. Focused on professional achievement and material rewards, Robert is on the brink of losing his marriage. He has lost sight of his wife, Kate, their two daughters, and ultimately, himself. Eight-year-old Nathan has a beloved mother, Maggie, whom he is losing to cancer. But Nathan and his family are building a simple yet full life and struggling to hold onto every moment they have together. A chance meeting on Christmas Eve brings Robert and Nathan together—he is shopping for a family he hardly knows, and Nathan is shopping for a mother he is soon to lose. In this one encounter, their lives are forever altered as Robert learns an important lesson: Sometimes the smallest things can make all the difference. The Christmas Shoes, a tale of our shared humanity, is a universal story of the deeper meaning of serendipity and of how a power greater than ourselves can shape, and even save, our lives. 

What's New in the Cross Reference Library? Book Two in The Bride Ships Series

The Runaway Bride - Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship, still bearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately attracts suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by making a poor choice. Vying for her hand two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy, held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town’s baker who has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella’s affections, but also clash over views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak. As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl left behind by her tribe. Intent on helping the child, Arabella leans on Peter’s advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision, or will seeking what’s right cost both her and Peter everything?

What's in the Cross Reference Library? The Heroes God Wants Us to Be

Hero - Being a single man in today’s culture is downright dangerous. It’s easy to be overwhelmed, feel helpless about living by God’s high standards for singles. It’s easy to cave to in to the pressures of this sex-soaked world and accept defeat—blaming the media, the culture, even girlfriends who don’t know how tough it can be. But many men have read books like Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics and have committed themselves to stand strong and pure in the power of God, and to go on the offensive against the onslaught of negative stereotypes. Some have suffered. Some have fallen. But many have experienced victory—and you can be among them. What makes those committed men so desirable to women? Hero is their creed. From best-selling author Fred Stoeker, along with his son Jasen, come the straightforward insights and real-life examples you’re looking for to help you take personal purity to its logical conclusion. Here’s straight truth with irrefutable evidence of what makes an ultimate hero to women who long for men of faith—men who stand by their convictions and make their world a safer and better place. 

The Roar Within - 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 this hard-hitting book, 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 revolver what’s been lost by answering their biggest questions: Who am I really? Where does my value come from? Am I enough?

What's New at the Cross Reference Library?

Fruit Full - What do your kids know about the fruit of the Spirit? Maybe they can rattle off the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But do they really understand what the fruits look like in daily life? Christie Thomas is here to help you connect your children to the power of the Holy Spirit—and help your entire family learn a lot along the way! Each of these 100 devotionals will inspire your family with thought-provoking questions, real-life applications, and more. She also includes hands-on activities you can try when there’s time. Fruit Full offers real understanding of how the Spirit will help your kids grow in their own beautiful, Jesus-reflecting character. With this book as your guide, the whole family will learn to grow abundant “fruit” together.

How We Love Matters - Racism is alive and well in the church. Racism has, in fact, been taught within the church for so long most of us don’t even recognize it anymore. Pastor Albert Tate, a dynamic speaker and rising leader within the church world, guides readers in acknowledging this fact, encouraging siblings in Christ to sit together in racial discomfort to examine the role they may play in someone else’s struggle. How We Love Matters is a series of nine moving letters, reminiscent of Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, about different aspects of American and Christian culture. In letters that include Dear Whiteness, Dear America, and Dear Church, Tate calls out racism in the world, the church, and within himself and his reader. The book educates and enlightens in a way that flips the church on its head. It looks to the life of our Savior Jesus Christ as a clear and inspiring model for how we need to treat and love one another as siblings and neighbors, regardless of differences like skin color, culture, language, or beliefs. Tate believes that the only way to make change is by telling the truth about where we are—relationally, internally, and spiritually. How We Love Matters is an exposition of relevant biblical truth, a clarion call for all believers to examine how they see and understand each other, and it is a way forward toward justice, reconciliation, and healing.