What's New in the Cross Reference Library? Inspiring Content for Men Young and Old From Brant Hansen

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 indoorsmen 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.

The (Young) Men We Need - What does it mean to be a real man? Our culture seems confused about that question and why it even matters. But God has made you for a type of manhood that will not only fulfill you but also benefit everyone around you—if you choose to pursue it. It’s not about being athletic or driving a big truck or getting rich (or getting girls. It’s much bigger and better than that. Funny, honest, and packed with wisdom, The (Young) Men We Need gives you a clear vision of what it means to be a man by showing why it’s crucial that you

• Forsake the fake and relish the real

• Protect the vulnerable

• Be ambitious about the right things

• Make women and children feel safe, not threatened

• Choose today who you will become tomorrow

• Take responsibility for your own spiritual life

The world is waiting for you to show up and step into God’s purpose for you as a man. This book shows you how to get there.

What's New in the Cross Reference Library? 100 Popular Questions about God and the Bible

The 100 Most Asked Questions About God and the Bible - Sometimes the truth can be hard to find. We live in an age where it only takes a few seconds to look up anything we want to know. But how reliable are the answers we get? S. Michael Houdmann and GotQuestions.org have cut through the confusion, answering even the hardest of questions with clarity, grace, and love for more than two decades. GotQuestions.org receives more than sixteen million visitors each month and is the most trusted, biblically grounded resource online. This book answers one hundred of the most frequently asked questions on the site in a compassionate, accessible, and straightforward manner, covering topics like:

• salvation and how we’re supposed to live

• heaven and the afterlife

• sex

• difficult passages in the Bible

• the end times

• and more

People have big questions, and the answers have real-world consequences. Here is the biblical truth we all need to better understand God, ourselves, and the world we live in. 

One of the BIG questions from the book: What does it mean to have the fear of God? 

For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer’s fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe are exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe. Proverbs 1:7declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Until we understand who God is and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom. True wisdom comes only from understanding who God is and that He is holy, just, and righteous. Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21 records, “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and, yes, loving Him. Some redefine the fear of God for believers to “respecting” Him. While respect is definitely included in the concept of fearing God, there is more to it than that. A biblical fear of God, for the believer, includes understanding how much God hates sin and fearing His judgment on sin—even in the life of a believer. Hebrews 12:5-11describes God’s discipline of the believer. While it is done in love (Hebrews 12:6), it is still a fearful thing. When we were children, our fear of discipline from our parents no doubt prevented some evil actions on our part. The same should be true in our relationship with God. We should fear His discipline, and therefore seek to live our lives in a way that pleases Him. Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God means having a reverence for Him that greatly impacts the way we live. The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshiping Him in awe.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? New Novels by Melanie Dobson

What they’re about: 

Hidden Among the Stars - The year is 1938, and as Hitler’s troops sweep into Vienna, Austria Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family’s summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker’s daughter, who is eager to help the man she’s loved her entire life. But when Max also brings Luzia Weiss, a young Jewish woman, to hide at the castle, it complicates Annika’s feelings and puts their entire plan—even their very lives—in jeopardy. Especially when the Nazis come to scour the estate and find both Luzia and the treasure gone. Eighty years later, Callie Randall is mostly content with her life, running a bookstore with her sister and reaching out into the world through her blog. Then she finds a cryptic list in an old edition of Bambi that connects her to Annika’s story…and possibly to the long-buried story of a dear friend. As she digs into the past, Callie must risk venturing outside the safe world she’s built for a chance at answers, adventure, and maybe even new love. 

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton - 1907. On the eve of her fifth birthday, Poppy Pendleton is tucked safely in her bed, listening to her parents entertain New York’s elite in their Thousand Islands castle. The next morning, she is gone, and her father is found dead in his smoking room. Desperate to find her daughter—or at least find out what happened to her—Amelia Pendleton struggles to move on with her devastated life. 1992. Though Chloe Ridell lives in the shadows of Poppy’s castle, now in ruins, she has little interest in the mystery that still captivates tourists and locals alike. She is focused on preserving the island she inherited from her grandparents and reviving their vintage candy shop. Until the day a girl named Emma shows up on Chloe’s doorstep, with few possessions, save a tattered scrapbook that connects her to the Pendleton family. When a reporter arrives at Chloe’s store, asking questions about her grandfather, Chloe decides to help him dig into a past she’d thought best left buried. The haunting truth about Poppy, they soon discover, could save Emma’s life, so Chloe and Logan must work together to investigate exactly what happened long ago on Koster Isle. 

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? Characters That Keep the Faith

On Every Side by Karen Kingsbury - Everything is on the line…for Faith Evans, an up-and-coming newscaster. A woman of honor and integrity, who finds herself making a stand against the one man she never imagined would be her enemy…for Jordan Riley, a powerful attorney dedicated to fighting for human rights and against God. A man still reckoning with the boyhood loss of the three women who once meant everything to him…for Bethany, Pennsylvania, a small town no one ever dreamed would become the center of national attention. But it has. All because of a beloved, hundred-year-old statue of Jesus Christ that stands in Bethany’s park. A statue that some say is a clear violation of separation of church and state. A statue that has to come down. A statue that suddenly becomes the focus of a biter conflict—one rife with political intrigue, social injustice, and personal conflicts. Before it’s over, everything that Jordan and Faith and the town of Bethany stand for will be challenged. 

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer - On a small Kansas farm, Christina Willems lovingly shepherds a group of poor and displaced individuals who count on her leadership and have come to see the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor as their home. But when a fire breaks out leaving the house uninhabitable, she must scramble to find shelter for all in her care, scattering her dear “family.” With no other option, Christina is forced to approach Levi Johnson, a reclusive mill owner, to take in a young blind boy named Tommy Kilgore. Levi agrees, with reluctance, but finds himself surprised by the bond that quickly grows between him and Tommy. As obstacles to repairing the farm pile up, Christina begins to wonder if she can fulfill the mission to which she’s dedicated her life. And when an old adversary challenges Christina, will she find an unlikely ally—or more—in the aloof Levi? Can Levi reconcile with the rejection that led to his hermit-like existence and open his heart to something more, especially a relationship with a loving God?

Please come in to the Cross Reference Library and check out these great novels about renewed faith in God and not losing hope when life gets hard.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan

What it’s about: From New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan comes an exquisite novel of Joy Davidman, the woman C.S. Lewis  called “my whole world.” When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C.S. Lewis—known as Jack—she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding  together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, finding a love that even the threat of death couldn’t destroy. At once a fascinating historical novel and a glimpse into a writer’s life, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is above all a love story—a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife that, in the end, was not impossible at all. 

What I love about Becoming Mrs. Lewis: When I was 11 years old, my aunt gave me a beautiful box set of The Chronicles of Narnia for Christmas. As I began to read through those seven books, I fell in love with the world of Narnia. Talking animals and mythical creatures. A mighty lion. And children who stumble upon a magical land, and go on adventures when they least expect it. As I got older, I became interested in how C.S. Lewis created the world of Narnia. I wanted to know his story. So when I was around 13 years old, I came across a biography on C.S. Lewis in the local Dollar General. I was so excited when my mom let me get it, that I didn’t even wait till I was in the car to start reading it. I learned about his childhood, how he fought in The Great War. Did you know C.S. Lewis was close friends with J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings? I remember reading through that biography so many times that the cover was worn. But something that I always wanted to know more about was his relationship with Joy Davidman. And that is exactly what Becoming Mrs. Lewis gave me. Her friendship with Jack (C.S. Lewis) was so inspiring to read about. This novel gave so much more depth to who Joy Davidman was, than my biography ever did. When she would ask Lewis about Narnia and other things, it’s like us as readers are learning about C.S. Lewis with Joy. Another one of my favorite things about this book, was how it was in a diary format. That really helps in experiencing everything through Joy Davidman’s eyes. In the author’s note in the back, Callahan talks about all the research she did in order to represent Joy’s story well. If you choose to check out this book, I recommend that you read the author’s note. It is truly fascinating. And the synopsis really describes this novel well when it says that it’s, “a love story—a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife that, in the end, was not impossible at all.” Come on in to the Cross Reference Library and check out Becoming Mrs. Lewis! You’ll find hope, faith, hardships, and of course JOY.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? Discovering the Will of God

The God You May Not Know - Our personalities inevitably conform to our gods. We have witnessed this down through history. When we worship inferior versions of God – money, status, security, power, pleasure, you name it – we become like our idols. If your god is money, you’ll become materialistic. If your god is sex, you’ll become increasingly sensual. If your god is yourself, you’ll become more self-focused. But if your God is the almighty Creator of Scripture you’ve got a lifetime of joy ahead of you. So it is no exaggeration to say that the study of God is the supreme study of a lifetime. It lifts our thoughts, steadies our nerves, purifies our motives, expands our confidence, and strengthens our influence. It’s the greatest subject we could ever study, for God is the apex of all reality. One of the reasons we don’t love God as much as we should is because we don’t know Him as well as we ought. Trying to comprehend the person of God is like trying to capture all the galaxies of the universe in a child’s prism. Yet the Bible encourages us to try, for God seeks to be known. In this teaching series, I want to personally introduce you to the God you may not know—to His knowledge, holiness, all-pervasive presence, unlimited power, love, and the other qualities that make Him who He is. Knowing our eternal God changes our daily lives—and He is well worth knowing, for He alone is worthy of all praise!

The 4 Wills of God - Should you take the job? Quit the job? Begin a relationship? End a relationship? Move? Plant roots? How do we find God’s will for life's big decisions? What if you had total freedom? Emerson Eggerichs believes there is a clear answer to finding God’s will. The Bible itself reveals the clue–a secret hidden in plain sight. Before launching his Love & Respect marriage ministry with wife Sarah, Emerson was a senior pastor for nearly 20 years in East Lansing Michigan. Before that, Emerson and a friend ran a free counseling center called “The Open Door” in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As Emerson navigated his career he found both he and the people he was counseling were wrestling with big decisions and knowing if that decision was really what God wanted. Immersing himself in God’s word for over 30 hours a week for 19 years, he discovered simple, clear truths that set him and many others free. There is a starting point to discovering God’s Will for your next decision and for your entire life. Begin here to read stories of people in the same situations you face today. You’ll be able to discover the freedom you’ve been searching for, and then, like Emerson, you’ll help others find that freedom too.

When I go to write these posts, I try to bring together books that are similar in context. And sometimes when I do posts on new books that come in, that isn’t always easy. So I was definitely surprised when both of this week’s books have to do with knowing God and His will. In David Jeremiah’s  The God You May Not Know, it gives great insight on how he got to know God personally, and how we can take the journey from knowing about God to knowing God. One of the first things that he says in the first chapter (and I’ve heard about other people doing this as well), is how he has a special place out in the country where he can spend time with the Lord. I have spoken with people who call this their prayer walk time. They set aside 30 minutes or so in the morning or afternoon to spend time with God in His creation. “We are made to know God—to know about Him and to know Him personally.” How many of us have allotted time set aside to actually spend time with God? David Jeremiah had an analogy in his book which illustrates a tough reality. “Suppose the only time you communicated with your spouse was once a week (Sunday morning), and you gave them a box of chocolates or flowers. If your entire relationship with your loved one consisted of a box of chocolates every seventh day, the marriage would wither. That’s what some people do to God.” I know that was tough for me to read. There have been seasons in my life where I go into church on Sunday and I join in worship and listen to the sermon, but then wonder why I feel hopelessly lost for the rest of the week. Proverbs 9:10 comes to mind: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Our other new book this week was The 4 Wills of God by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. This one really fascinated me, because it seemed to aid in answering a question I’ve had recently. “What is God’s will for my life?” What’s great about this book is: I’m not the only one who has asked this question. But most of the time, when people ask this, they want to know about their career, relationships, finances, etc. Here’s what Dr. Eggerichs says about that, “The question, ‘What is God’s will?’ explores what I call the universal will of God for all believers. I contend that the best way to know God’s unique will is to know and follow His universal will for all believers, and this book is about four universal wills of God, which serve as a great starting point.” The wills that he expands on are as follows: 

Believe in Jesus Christ (John 6:40)

Abstain from sexual sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

Give Thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Submit in Doing Right (1 Peter 2:13-15)

Now, Dr. Eggerichs makes sure to say, “Though all of God’s commands in the Old and New Testament that apply to the church fall under God’s will for us, God reveals in four passages, four specific wills. This doesn’t mean we can ignore the rest of God’s commands, only that we probably will ignore the rest if we ignore these four.” Then again, reading the whole Bible, along with these four verses would also be beneficial. But if you want to know more about what Dr. Eggerichs has to say about God’s will or even Dr. Jeremiah’s thoughts on truly knowing God, come on into the Cross Reference Library to check out these books.

—”Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:35-36

What's New in the Cross Reference Library?

Disruptive Thinking - For most of our lives, we are encouraged to trudge along the well-worn paths of those who have come before us. We learn the rules – in our families, in our schools, in our workplaces, in our churches – and most of the messages we receive tell us that following the rules will allow us to arrive at the lives we desire. But when change becomes not only desirable but also urgently necessary, this way of being no longer serves us. In fact, in every human endeavor, every major leap forward, has involved a cataclysmic challenge to existing ways of thinking and being. Breakthroughs, by definition, run against the grain and almost always encounter skepticism and opposition. In this book for leaders, thinkers, doers, and creators, Bishop T.D. Jakes illuminates the pathway to encouraging and unleashing disruptive thinking and provides the wisdom and practical skills we need to evolve our most original and potentially transformational ideas from vision to reality. Through his insight into how our minds and emotions work and through his experiences as a pastor, entrepreneur, and creator, Bishop Jakes leads us into a new way of relating to and transforming the world around us for good. Disruptive Thinking will show you the mindset and the tools you need to create groundbreaking and meaningful change in your own life and in the world around you.

Relationship Goals - Wondering if you should break up? Feeling like you could break down? How about discovering a breakthrough in all your relationships and finding fulfillment like never before? This start-right-here study guide based on Michael Todd’s Relationship Goals takes the targets you have for your relationships and adds the coaching you need to steady your aim. As you and your small group, friends, or significant other write, reflect, pray, listen, and discuss your way through this guide, you’ll discover the practical tools and strategic space you need to move your relationships from “We’re okay” to “We’re better than ever.” We’re talking friendships, marriage, dating, even ideas for relating well to the person in the next cubicle. Because having strong relationships means having a strong purpose in life—and who doesn’t want that? So set your eyes on the goals that will help you win in relationships.

What's in The Cross Reference Library? Family at Christmastime!

Epiphany - Richard Lee may be gone, but he’s not yet departed. In this captivating Christmas novella, as the unseen observer of the family events that follow his own death, Richard watches his children return to their hometown to attend his funeral, settle the estate…and come to terms not only with their father’s passing, but with the disappointing direction each of their lives has taken. There is Jonathan, the starving artist whose talent languishes beneath a burden of failure. David, the family success story: practical, capable, worldly-wise…and cynical to the bitter bone, dying inside. And Ruth, a small-town girl who left for the big city in search of fulfillment she has yet to find. Powerless to act, Richard can do nothing to help his children resolve their struggles. He can only watch as pain and truth surface in each of their lives. But as secrets ;and surprises are revealed, the depths of a departed father’s love for his children and those around him emerges with poignant and redemptive clarity. And for Richard’s loved ones, healing at long last begins. 

A Family Christmas -Dr. James Dobson's A Family Christmas transports you to the delightful places you've been ... or perhaps to where you want to be. Featuring glowing scenes by internationally acclaimed artist G. Harvey, this richly meaningful gift book illustrates the importance of showing and celebrating love for our family, our friends, and our God. True stories of Christmas past, complete with Dr. Dobson's insightful and thought-provoking commentary, will bring warmth and rekindled joy to you and yours.

What’s in the Cross Reference Library? How can you spread kindness this Christmas Season?

Pony Express Christmas - Jeremiah Sparling, an inexperienced rancher, and his oldest son Noah are stranded on the trail from town when a blizzard hits. At home, Grace Sparling tries to hide her fears from her three young sons and feels guilty over the harsh words she exchanged with husband that morning. A Pony Express rider pushes himself and his horse through the storm, picturing a warm room and a hot meal at the other end. Will he stop to help Jeremiah and Noah? Does he sense the danger that lurks? And does he know that he carries with him the meaning of Christmas in a most unexpected way? 

Christmas Jars - Where did it come from? Whose money was it? Was I to spend it? Save it? Pass it on to someone more needy? Above all else, why was I chosen? Certainly there were others, countless others more needy than I…Her reporter’s intuition insisted that a remarkable story was on the verge of the front page. Rising newspaper reporter Hope Jensen uncovers the secret behind the “Christmas Jars” – glass jars filled with coins and bills anonymously given to people in need. But Hope discovers much more than she bargained for when some unexpected news sets off a chain reaction of kindness and brings above a Christmas Eve wish come true.

Every Christmas season, I tend to find so many blessings everywhere. Delicious Christmas food, light falling snow, and a big cup of hot chocolate. It’s a blessing to decorate the Christmas tree with my parents while listening to the Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas Album. And I always get goosebumps when I hear my Grandma Purple play Hark The Herald Angels Sing on the piano. There are little things like these that make me feel very blessed during the Christmas season. One thing that makes me feel blessed through the whole year, and not just at Christmas, are good stories and books! And that is exactly what I get to be surrounded by everyday here at the Cross Reference Library. With that in mind, the Christmas books that I wanted to share this week are Pony Express Christmas and Christmas Jars. I chose these ones, because when I found them in our library, something really stuck out for me. The pony express rider and the family behind the Christmas Jars went the extra mile to show kindness on Christmas. The rider literally did. My challenge for anyone reading this is to not only show kindness during the Christmas season, but everyday. Demonstrating God’s love to everyone you come across. So come on into the Cross Reference Library and check out how you can spread kindness this Christmas season.

What’s in the Cross Reference Library? Max Lucado Christmas Books

Cosmic Christmas - We know the Christmas characters well: the singing angels, the simple teenage girl, the surprised carpenter. But do we know all the characters? Do we know the whole story? What about the hidden happenings that might have led to the Savior’s birth? Was the arrival of Jesus a quietly profound event? Or could it have been the result of heavenly battles, angel armies, and a scheming Satan? Envision a confrontation in heaven between the King of creation and the rebellious Satan. Threats. Challenges. A gauntlet laid on the floor of the sky. And then the passage from heaven to earth - “There was a war in heaven” the Bible states (Revelation 12:7). Angels battling Satan’s armies as they transport the essence of heaven itself. Come along as author Max Lucado takes us on a journey into his imagination - pulling back the curtain as we see what might have taken place one “Cosmic Christmas.” 

One Incredible Moment - In one incredible moment the whole world changed when Jesus came to earth as a baby boy! Best-selling author Max Lucado has penned a Christmas book for the entire family as he examines how one unbelievable moment forever altered the lives of every person who has ever lived....from Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men to those of us living in the new millennium. This unique Christmas gift book from Max Lucado features original photography and design.

Christmas Stories - These stories - like your favorite Christmas ornaments - come in all shapes and sizes. They unfold in a variety of settings, from ancient Bethlehem to rural England. From a small Texas town to the heavenly realms. Some are short. Others are many chapters long. Some offer reflections. Others imagine Christmas through the eyes of a burnt-out candle-maker, a lonely business man, or heavenly angels. “In the mystery of Christmas,” Max writes, “we find its majesty. The mystery of how God became flesh, why he chose to come, and how much he must love his people. Such mysteries can never get solved, just as love can never be diagrammed. Christmas is best pondered, not with logic, but imagination.” That’s what each of these unique christmas stories help us do. IN the midst of the bustle and hurry that often distracts us this time of year, these stories free us to explore the ways in which Christ’s coming has forever changed history - and us.