Month: July 2022

I Don’t Want to Be Baptized!

July 28, 2022 Rev. David Jander and a child he baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carver, MN. “I Don’t Want to Be Baptized!” Some years ago I was the Spiritual Life Director and LCMS Liaison for a Christian maternity home. … More

8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids

8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids

Finally, a practical book for busy parents! Whether you find parenting intuitive or impossible, we could all use a hand here and there. And we could use it quick! In 8 Simple Tools, child psychologist and father Todd Cartmell walks you through the nuts and … More

Forgiveness

Forgiveness: Received from God Extended to Others

An unfamiliar car parks near your house, and two pleasant-looking folks approach your front door. The doorbell rings, and after exchanging pleasantries, your unexpected guests offer you some literature from the Watchtower Society. What will you say? What should you say? Should … More

Without this Ring: Surviving Divorce

Without this Ring: Surviving Divorce

Does God hate me for getting a divorce? A survival guide for Christians who are navigating the minefield of divorce. Author Donna Pyle has been through it. She knows what it s like, dealing with the anger, struggling with the … More

Conversations with Jehovah's Witnesses

Conversations with Jehovah’s Witnesses

An unfamiliar car parks near your house, and two pleasant-looking folks approach your front door. The doorbell rings, and after exchanging pleasantries, your unexpected guests offer you some literature from the Watchtower Society. What will you say? What should you say? Should … More

Behold I Am Coming Soon!

Behold, I am Coming Soon!

This devotional features 28 unique entries based on the book of Revelation to help guide readers through the Advent season. With all the hustle and bustle and preparations for Christmas, these devotions will help you pause to recall Jesus’ birth … More

Breaking the Patterns of Depression

Breaking the Patterns of Depression

Twenty to thirty million Americans suffer from some form of diagnosable depression, and their ranks are growing. Psychologist Michael D. Yapko explains that in order to find relief, more than the current episode of depression must be examined. In Breaking the … More

Gospel DNA

Gospel DNA: Five Markers of a Flourishing Church

Millions of new believers in Jesus. Thousands of new churches. Communities rallying around the Gospel. Innovative efforts to send workers into the harvest fields. A Gospel movement sweeping a nation. This isn’t merely a description of what God is doing … More

The Secret Life of Angels by Ron Rhodes

The Secret Life of Angels

You’ve probably seen depictions of angels in popular TV shows and movies, and you may have read about angel encounters. Curiously, however, these accounts often have little in common with the Bible’s portrayal of angels. How can you tell what … More

Raising Godly Girls

Raising Godly Girls

A thoughtful, personal, and affirming discussion of how Christian mothers can influence and prepare their daughters for confident living in today’s culture. This conversational book for Christian mothers of daughters is offered as encouragement to deflect and defend against the … More

The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions by Dr. Ron Rhodes

The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions

Cults and New Religions Aren’t Hard to FindThey’re in your neighborhood . . . your workplace . . . your school . . . maybe even your family.Cults are flourishing across America. Chances are, you’ve encountered one, perhaps even know … More

One Nation Under God: Healing Racial Divides

One Nation Under God: Healing Racial Divides in America

Amid divisive rhetoric, violence, riots, and racial tensions, confusion arises—how can Christians tear down the racial walls dividing our country? This division stems from a lack of communication, empathy, and understanding. Author Rev. B. Keith Haney, an African American LCMS pastor, encourages … More

Peacemaking Women

Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict

Women have a strong desire for relational connections. Relationships between women can be especially enriching, but when conflict arises, they also can be especially damaging. Too many women approach conflict as if they were unbelievers with gossip, spiteful actions, bitterness, … More

We're Not Blended - We're Pureed

We’re Not Blended, We’re Puréed

Can two families learn to cohabitate? In peace? Ever? Are you terrified that you’ve turned into a version of the fairy-tale wicked stepparent? Do you paste on a smile and pretend your family is a vision of 1950s Main Street … More

There's a Prayer for That by Various Authors, Christopher S. 'Topher' Doerr (Editor)

There’s a Prayer for That

The Word encourages you to pray in every circumstance. Whether life leads you to bring thanks, praise, or troubles before God, he will listen. There’s a Prayer for That guides you in this continual conversation with God. This collection contains … More

Prayer: Learning How to Talk to God by Jeanette Groth

Prayer: Learning How to Talk to God

Daily prayer is an important facet of the Christian life. Nurture the habit of regular, confident conversation with God in your children, helping your entire family grow in faith together, in this charming illustrated book. Prayer: Learning How to Talk … More

5-Minute Bible Studies for Families

5-Minute Bible Studies: For Families

As parents and children race from work and school to extracurricular activities, chores, and more, finding time to stay connected in the Word as a family can be challenging. 5-Minute Bible Studies: For Families is designed with busy families in mind. This … More

Stepping Out to a Life on the Edge

Stepping Out to a Life on the Edge

Stepping Out invites readers on a personal exploration of why women have fears and insecurities and how to respond to Christ’s work in us. From the Author: As I connect with women around the country on a heart-to-heart level, I … More

Faith that Engages the Culture

Faith that Engages the Culture

Talking about Christianity outside of church or your groups is difficult, especially if you’re talking to a non-Christian. Witnessing shouldn’t be as difficult as it seems, and it’s not nearly as scary. Following his previous book, Faith That Sees Through the … More

God is Bigger than your Cancer

God is Bigger than your Cancer

If God is Bigger Than Your Cancer, then where is He? It’s OK to have questions of God; as a matter of fact, He welcomes them. Why did God Make Cancer? Is My Cancer Bigger Than God? Why me? Why did … More

Satan's Lies by Michael Newman

Satan’s Lies

Who are you and what is your life all about? Are you aware that there is a force trying to steer your life off course with false outlooks, confused thoughts, and self-destructive actions? It’s time to clear up the confusion. Satan’s … More

Connected to Christ: Witnessing in Everyday Life

Connected to Christ: Witnessing in Everyday Life

Evangelism. Witnessing. Sharing God’s Word. It’s all part of a toolkit that you were given the moment you were baptized into Christ’s family. And it’s a toolkit that anyone can be given through belief in Christ. But evangelism and witnessing … More

Reclaiming the Joy of Ministry

Reclaiming the Joy of Ministry

A life in Christian ministry can be tremendously rewarding and exhilarating. It can also be incredibly demanding and stressful. Professional church workers run the risk of becoming depleted—spiritually, relationally and vocationally, as well as physically and financially. Nearly every minister … More

The Spiritual Abuse Workbook

The Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook

The Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook represents four decades of research and experience by author David Henke. Within the pages of this workbook the author demonstrates the complexities of spiritual abuse, identifying underlying issues as well as recovery. Through it all, he shows … More

What Do I Say to a Jehovah's Witness?

What Do I Say to a Jehovah’s Witness?

Whether you have a Jehovah’s Witness friend, acquaintance, co-worker, family member, or loved one, engaging them in meaningful conversation is difficult. The Witnesses are taught to distrust any sources of religious truth other than their own. Attempts to question or … More

Family Playing Games

Families – Spend Time Together

July 8, 2022 Families – Spend Time Together! I like to use the above picture in our newsletter and on Facebook. Playing games with children of all ages is an excellent way to spend time together.  Spending time together is one of the six … More