If, like us, you get completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of incredible Christian books there are out there, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve asked our editors here at Christianbook to round up some of the books they think will excite our readers this year!

Included in this list you’ll find much-anticipated books by well-known Christian authors alongside some upcoming authors and debut releases you might want to keep on your radar.

It was certainly difficult to limit ourselves to just ten books, so if you want to peruse some of the releases coming to our shelves in 2022, click here.

Now, let’s dive into the books we think you’ll be turning the page on in the new year…

Hope for the Hurting by Tony Evans

Releases January 11, 2022

Life can be difficult.

We all face our own challenges and difficulties in our lives – health issues, financial disasters, a broken relationship, loss of a loved one to name a few. During these difficult times it can be hard to find hope.

Dr. Tony Evans, bestselling author and pastor, understands this well. In a span of less than two years, he lost many close relatives, and both his daughters received cancer diagnoses. In the wake of this pain, Dr. Evans had to lean deep into his faith and practice his beliefs at the deepest levels.

He was reminded that while God’s Word doesn’t promise us a life free from pain and trouble, it promises us something else… someone else. Someone who will walk with us through all of life’s trials and troubles.

There is hope for the hurting: His name is Jesus.

M is for Mama by Abbie Halberstadt

Releases February 1, 2022

Are you a mama in the trenches? Looking for encouragement? This is the book for you!

Mama of ten, Abbie Halberstadt aims to help women live up to the awesome responsibility of motherhood without settling for mediocrity… or losing their minds in the process.

This colorfully illustrated guide is full of scripturally sound strategies seasoned with humor to help you embrace the challenges of motherhood, deepen your commitment to parenting, and raise your children in God’s grace and to his glory.

Get ready to realize just how worthy you are of the awesome responsibility God has given you!

I’ll Be There (But I’ll Be Wearing Sweatpants) by Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston

Releases January 25, 2022

Have you ever wondered why it is such a struggle to make and maintain friendships as an adult? You can be sure you aren’t alone!

While we are more connected than ever through social media, stats actually show the number of Americans who claim to have no close friends has drastically increased over the last few decades.

Amy and Jess, creators of the popular online community, Sister, I Am With You, share an easy-to-follow road map to the place we all want to be – standing beside other women who see us, know us, and love us for who we truly are.

In I’ll Be There (But I’ll Be Wearing Sweatpants), they share real-life vulnerability alongside “I’ve been there too,” wisdom to show you just how much you deserve a community of loving, supportive, there-for-you friends.

If making lasting friendships is a priority for you – this is your go-to guide!

Undistracted by Bob Goff

Releases March 1, 2022

The always-inspiring Bob Goff is back with Undistracted, a book that aims to help us get back on track so we can live our lives with real purpose and joy!

Life is full of distractions, little ones and sometimes, not-so-little ones. Often we find these distractions can cause us to drift off course and to lose sight of what is important to us. But in this book, Goff wants to reassure readers that they can harness today’s distractions, and, by following Jesus’ example, and find focus.

Through inspiring and entertaining stories, Goff show us what it looks like to live a beautiful and purposeful life rather than drifting aimlessly from one season to the next.

The perfect read for those who want to ensure their eyes are fixed on Jesus in all circumstances!

Say Yes by Scott Erickson

Releases January 25, 2022

Have you recently experienced a setback? Or perhaps you are feeling a little disappointed with how life is turning out? Scott Erickson is here to tell you… don’t lose hope!

In Say Yes, Erickson wants to remind us that our darkest moments are sometimes doorways to a deeper, more joy-filled journey. A journey that will help us recover who we are, why we’re here, and why the future is full of possibilities… if we just say yes!

Through his story, Erickson wants to help you learn how to reawaken your deepest desires, disempower for your greatest fears, and identify the destructive narratives holding you back.

Get ready to say yes to what lies ahead today!

Find Your People by Jennie Allen

Releases February 22, 2022

Back on the topic of creating your community, we have the latest release from the wonderful Jennie Allen, Find Your People.

In this book, Allen explores the epidemic of loneliness – a very real issue that has taken hold as many of us hide behind emotional walls because we’re either too busy or because relationships feel risky. But we are meant to live known and loved.

Throughout the book, you’ll read fascinating insights from science and history, timeless biblical truth, and vulnerable stories from Allen’s own life to help you dive into the deep end and experience the full wonder of community.

Loneliness doesn’t have to be reality… get ready to play, engage, adventure, and explore – with others!

Mission Possible by Tim Tebow

Releases March 8, 2022

Are you living with a “mission impossible” mindset? Tebow wants to help you replace that outlook with total confidence!

Tim Tebow believes that the secret to a truly meaningful life is not more comfort or ease, but recognizing the clear, unique mission that God has set before you. Having a focused sense of your personal, God-given significance will bring you a lasting sense of purpose.

That’s why Mission Possible aims to help ignite a spark in your life! Wherever you are, whatever your work, you can find God’s purpose for your life. Accomplish the mission that you have already been called to and equipped for.

It’s never too early and it’s never too late to start living a mission possible life!

I Guess I Haven’t Learned that Yet by Shauna Niequist

Releases April 12, 2022

What happens when everything we’ve been clinging to falls apart? Shauna Niequist invites us to follow along her journey to understand grief, reshape faith, and practice courage when all she wants to do is hide.

Just after her fortieth birthday, Niequist found herself in a season of chaos, change and loss unlike anything she’d ever experienced. She discovered that many of the beliefs and practices that had been useful up to that point no longer worked.

I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet is a journey of both unlearning what is no longer helpful, embracing curiosity, and accepting the unknowns of midlife, heartbreak, and chronic pain. Niequist writes with characteristic candor and grace about the challenges and delights of a move from the Midwest to Manhattan, and also the challenges and delights of releasing our expectations for how we thought our lives would look.

This is a book about learning how to live in a new city, learning how to get back up, and learning how to trust God’s goodness in a deeper way. It’s certainly one we don’t think you’ll want to miss.

Waymaker by Ann Voskamp 

Releases March 1, 2022

Find yourself facing repeated roadblocks in a disorienting world? Bestselling author, Ann Voskamp is here to remind us that God is always at work creating the life of our dreams, often through ways we never would have dreamed for ourselves.

In WayMaker, Voskamp reveals how God is present in the totality of our lives, making a way through whatever heartache, grief, suffering, or obstacles we face. Through Him, our road will lead us to arrive exactly where we always hoped it would, though maybe not in the way we imagined.

We can encounter the WayMaker in surprising ways and begin to see Him not only making poetry out of pain but working in every miraculous detail of our lives.

Even now, the Way is making the way to walk through waves and into a life more deeply fulfilling than our wildest dreams!

Rest & War by Ben Stuart

Releases January 25, 2022

Is your focus frequently scattered or misdirected? Does this leave you full of self-reproach? Ben Stuart wants you to ditch that destructive thinking!

Rest & War is a field guide for the spiritual life offering biblical and practical guidance that will help re-establish Christ as King of your heart and achieve God’s purpose for your life. You’ll learn methods that will help you to overcome sin’s strategies; overpower personal shortcomings; optimize time, energy, and resources; and more.

Most importantly, you’ll be reminded that God has called you into the good fight of life – step into it boldly, strategically. Flee evil and pursue intimacy with your Creator. Uproot what is broken and cultivate what is life-giving. Make war on what is destructive, and rest in the God who loves you.

Are you ready to walk elegantly through the battlefield of life?

Are you a fiction lover? Keep an eye out for an upcoming post about the most anticipated Christian fiction books coming in 2022!

The post Christian Books You’ll Be Reading in 2022 appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

What could be better than picking up a new fiction book on a hot summer day?! We love nothing more than finding a cool, shady spot, filling a glass full of iced tea and just escaping into another time or place with our favorite Christian authors!

If you find yourself looking for a new book to read this summer – you’re in luck! We’ve had so many new books arrive here at Christianbook, and we can’t wait to share some of our favorites with you.

In this list, you’ll find books from beloved Christian authors such as Karen Kingsbury, Lauraine Snelling, Tracie Peterson and more.  Whether you are looking for a suspense, a romance, or historical novel, you’ll surely find your next great read here!

Someone Like You

by Karen Kinsgbury

One frozen embryo. Two families with life-long secrets. And a guy who never planned to fall in love again. Karen Kingsbury returns to her beloved Baxter Family series with new release Someone Like You.

Maddie Baxter West’s life is turned upside down when she finds out she was adopted as an embryo. Confronted by a total stranger about this truth and subsequently told she has a sister she never knew about, Maddie is left feeling betrayed. Dawson Gage (the aforementioned stranger) comes into Maddie’s life after the only girl her ever loved – London Quinn – is killed. London’s mother reveals to Dawson that she may have a sister, telling him of the frozen embryo they donated years before. When Dawson and Maddie’s world’s collide, sparks fly. She moves to Portland, where the Quinn’s live, and is given a glimpse into the life she may have had. But will she find her way back?

Even if you are not familiar with the Baxter Family, we’re sure you’ll still enjoy this book. If you love it, there are 29 other books in the Baxter Family series you can get reading once you’re done with this… that’s got to be a book lovers dream!

5-Star Customer Review:

I always say each book I read by Karen Kingsbury is her best, but they just keep getting better.

So many emotions in this book make for incredible reading. I couldn’t put it down until it was finished. Now I can’t wait to see what the next installment will bring.

Feelings of betrayal, death, grief, a social issue you don’t give much thought to, until you actually know someone who has participated in in vitro fertilization/frozen embryos, forgiveness and finding one’s self are huge topics in this book, which I highly recommend. – sgreene01, July 2020

Dead Silence

by Robin Caroll

Always on the lookout for the next great read that will have you on the edge of your seat? Robin Caroll’s latest release is the book for you!

Dead Silence introduces readers to court sign-language interpreter, Elise. As a widow with a young deaf son, lip reading is second nature to Elise… so when she sees someone on the phone threaten a senator’s life she is shocked. But things get even more personal when it turns out that senator is also her mother-in-law. Before she can decide what to do, she receives information that her son is rushed to the ER and she must leave. When she later finds out her mother-in-law has been shot and killed Elise is floored. If Elise comes forward with the information she has about the killer, will she put herself and her child in the assassin’s crosshairs?

This fast-paced novel is full of plot twists and turns that will have you eagerly turning the pages. There’s tragedy, mystery, grief, fear… phew! This book has it all. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster ride when you crack the spine on this book!

5-Star Customer Review:

I really enjoyed reading this book. I love mysteries and this was a good one. The characters came to life and made you care for them and what they were going through. I thought I knew what was going to happen next but the author was not so predictable and that made the book even better. I would definitely recommend this book and any others written by Robin Caroll. – rhondaryser, June 2020

An Appalachian Summer

by Ann H. Gabhart

Fancy being whisked off to the breathtaking Appalachian Mountains this summer? Well, even if you can’t be there physically, Ann H. Gabhart has you covered in the literary sense with her latest release!

An Appalachian Summer whisks us off to the late-1920s, just after the market crash sent the country’s economy into the downward spiral that led to the Great Depression. Our protagonist, Piper Danson, is wary of flaunting her family’s wealth while so many suffer – even though her family insist on hosting her debut party. Deep down, Piper wants a meaningful life. Which is why she jumps at the chance to volunteer with the Frontier Nursing Service when the opportunity arises. Her volunteer position whisks her away to the Appalachian Mountains where she falls in love with more than just the scenery.

If romance and adventure are your kind of genres, you’re certainly going to enjoy this book. Gabhart expertly weaves a beautiful story of a woman yearning for love, but caught between two worlds. Full of rich detail of vivid surroundings, readers can’t help but be pulled into this story.

5-Star Customer Review:

A Blessing to Cherish

by Lauraine Snelling

Historical fiction lovers, rejoice! We have picked another great historical read to transport you back in time.

A Blessing to Cherish introduces readers to widow, Ingeborg Bjorklund – a woman who, after going through years of hardship, has reached a place of contentment. She is blessed with a wonderful son (also widowed), two grandchildren, and the entire Blessing, North Dakota community she is proud to call her friends. However, there is one friendship in her life that seems to be changing. This change will force her to decide if her settled, predictable life is worth more to her than a future she hardly dares to imagine.

Author Lauraine Snelling is well-known for crafting wonderfully rich storylines, and this book does not disappoint! A Blessing to Cherish is full of wonderful romance and characters you’ll surely fall in love with – it’s a not-to-be-missed read.

The Summer House

by Lauren K. Denton

Now back to the modern era with a contemporary read from bestselling author, Lauren K. Denton! The Summer House is a delightful gem of a book that weaves the authors Southern charm around a women’s journey to find herself.

When Lily Bishop wakes up one morning to find a goodbye note and divorce papers from her husband, her world is shook. As a newcomer to the town, Lily is in need of a job to sustain her – which is when she sees an advertisement for a hair stylist position in the Safe Harbor retirement community. The owner of the retirement community, Rose Carrigan, is a woman who is used to keeping people at arm’s length. But when Lily shows up looking for a job, she begins to warm to her. An unlikely friendship between the two women forms as Lily’s salon becomes the place for colorful residents to share gossip and stories.

Might there even be a new relationship on the horizon for Lily with Rose’s nephew? We urge you to pick up this book and find out more as your drawn into the wonderful community of Safe Harbor and its residents!

5-Star Customer Review:

Delightful story surrounding the lives of Lily and Rose generations apart but united by the life experiences and the drive to make something good out of it. The camaraderie between them was amazing and beautiful. First of Lauren Denton I am reading. Beautiful story and even amazing setting. – Ebos Aifuobhokhan, July 2020

The Way of Love

by Tracie Peterson

Let’s step back in time again! This time with a read from renowned author of books such as Refining Fire and Under the Midnight Sun, Tracie Peterson.

The Way of Love is the second book in the author’s Willamette Brides series and introduces us to Faith Kenner – a woman pursuing her dream to become a doctor. Her dream is to use her gift to help those in need – most especially the native populations forced onto reservations and neglected. When she meets Andrew Gratton – a handsome riverboat captain whose wounds she tends to –  a friendship grows between them. But Faith holds a secret that means their friendship can never become anything more. So, she attempts to bury her feelings as best she can.

All the while, Faith finds herself caught in the middle of a plot to push the local Indian tribes to rebel. As she and Andrew fight for the rights of others against Oregon’s racist laws, their love for each other grows. Will Faith’s secret continue to stand in the way of their love? Well, there’s only one way to find out! This is a book that just does not disappoint – we think it’s the perfect blend of history and romance.

5-Star Customer Review:

The theme of respecting God’s sovereignty, and maintaining one’s faith, while in the direst of circumstances is well developed in this story. There were many times when Faith, who was particularly well named, must live by faith and not by sight, when there is actually no hope to be found. While all fans of historical fiction will enjoy The Way of Love, it will speak to the hearts of those who are desperate for this type of faith. – Pegg Thomas, July 2020

What Momma Left Behind

by Cindy K. Sproles

Did you think we were done with the Appalachian Mountains? Not yet, dear reader! Cindy K. Sproles’ latest release takes us back to this wonderful part of North America – but this time, back in the 1800s.

What Momma Left Behind is a novel all about sacrifice, heartache, and bravery. The community of Sourwood, Tennessee, has been ravaged by death and disease, leaving many children orphaned. When Worie Dressar’s mother dies suddenly, Worie finds herself inundated with orphaned children who keep showing up at her door. Barely surviving herself, Worie must figure out how her mother was caring for these children. Of no help to Worie are her good-for-nothing brothers who only add to her woes. Fighting to save her home, and the orphaned children now in her begrudging care, Worie will learn the power of unconditional love and forgiveness.

Through Cindy’s words and storytelling, you’ll find yourself immersed in this poverty-stricken community in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s a truly delightful read – Worie is such a powerful and lively character, it’s hard not to be drawn into her story!

5-Star Customer Review:

I loved everything about this book! It starts off with tragedy and with traditional mountain life style, she doesn’t even have time to grieve. She gives of her self and cares for those around her. She surpasses her family background and gives her brothers chance after chance to get it right. I finished this book in a couple of days. There were so many twists and turns in the story line, that it was hard to put down. – Ains007, June 2020

The Heart of a Hero

by Susan May Warren

Love a little action in your fiction books? Susan May Warren is the author for you! The second book in the Global Search and Rescue Series has just released – and boy, is it good!

The Heart of a Hero goes deeper into the life of Jake Silver – one of the characters from the first book in this series. Jake is a man who is battling traumatizing memories that resulted from his career as a former sniper and Navy SEAL. As part of the Jones, Inc. rescue, Jake is able to utilize his skills to rescue and save the lost and injured. There’s one particular rescue he can’t quite get out of his mind – the rescue of pediatric heart surgeon, Dr Aria Sinclair. Aria herself, finds Jake exciting and handsome – but he’s also dangerous – and she refuses to take the risk of loving again. When a deadly hurricane threatens to put Aria in the path of danger once again, Jake can’t help but jump on a plane to rescue her. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?

The characters in this book are so wonderfully written – they each face emotional and spiritual issues that must be overcome so that they can move forward. You can’t help but fall in love with them both! We are pretty certain you’ll be left eagerly awaiting the release of the next novel in this series once you’re done with this book!

5-Star Customer Review:

I laughed, I cried, I held my breath, sat on the edge of my seat and I loved this book! The characters are fantastic and the story sucks you in and takes you on a roller coaster ride. I loved the way faith and romance were gently woven into this super suspenseful story. Ten stars! – Katie Poole, June 2020

Acceptable Risk

by Lynette Eason

A hostage situation. A risky rescue. Family tragedy. Just a little romance. The latest release from Lynette Eason has it all!

In Acceptable Risk, military journalist Sarah Denning agrees to teach at a school in the Middle East. When the school is attacked, she is taken hostage. Her father,  a high-ranking military general,  plans a risky rescue mission with the help of former Army Ranger Gavin Black. But, even once the mission is successfully complete, Sarah’s life doesn’t quite get back to normal.

As soon as she returns, she is discharged from the Army as a result of a false psychiatric evaluation. She is determined to return to the Army, but her plans are delayed when she learns of her brother’s suicide. Unable to believe that he would do such a thing, Sarah enlists Gavin’s help to discover the truth. But what she uncovers may be the biggest story of Sarah’s career—if she can survive long enough to write it.

This one is a real nail-biting read – we’re certain you’ll be turning the pages on this book long into the night!

5-Star Customer Review:

Eason is one of my favorite authors. I have loved every book I’ve ever read by her. This one was no different. The characters are flawed but relatable. There’s a mystery to solve; some twists and turns along the way; and a ton of action, danger, and suspense. – Reenie, July 2020

The Harbinger II: The Return

by Jonathan Cahn

Are the unprecedented crises of our times, the signs and warnings of coming judgment?  Does an ancient mystery hold the secret to the events of our times, and the future of America and the world?  Is this mystery even behind the shakings that have now overtaken the world and America? How much time do we have left?

These are the questions Jonathan Cahn aims to explore in his latest release, The Harbinger II: The Return. This sequel to the bestselling book The Harbinger is being hailed as “a prophetic masterpiece” even more powerful and stunning than the first book!

The Harbinger II will open up the mysteries of the Gate, the Watchmen, the Mystery Ship, the Word in the Ruins, the Book of Days, the Image, the Judgment Tree, the Children of the Ruins, the Convergence, the Handwriting on the Wall, and much more.  It will ultimately reveal the mystery of what is yet to come, including the Shakings, the Plague, the Western Terrace, the Island, the Day of the Watchman, and more.

After reading The Harbinger II, you will never see the world the same way again!

To discover more great Christian fiction, click here!

The post 2020 Summer Christian Fiction appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

A guest post by Larry McCall author of ‘Grandparenting with Grace’

“I miss you, too.” How many of us grandparents have found ourselves saying that way too often during this coronavirus pandemic? The hugs and kisses and snuggles are beginning to feel like distant memories. Will things ever return to the way they used to be? How can we grandparents be intentionally involved in the lives of our grandkids during this season of social distancing and sheltering in place? Let’s ask God to help us to…

Be intentional!

How might you use available technology for video chats? What a blessing it is to live in this era when most of us have the possibility to connect with our family members through live video calls for free! With an internet connection on both ends, we can call family members one mile or 1,000 miles away or even 10,000 miles away having immediate voice and visual conversations. If social distancing is keeping you from being with your grandchildren physically, you can be intentional in using this means of being in virtual proximity.

Talk to your kids, getting their permission and input on the best times to make video calls to your grandchildren. Maybe you would want to schedule a regular time each week—or even more frequently—to connect with your grandchildren this way. Especially if your grandchildren are younger, keep in mind the importance of discussing with their parents when the best time to call might be to avoid nap and meal times.

Be intentional with your calls. What questions do you want to ask your grandkids? Is there a special project they’ve been working on that you could ask to see? What Scriptural truths do you want to share with them? Would you like to read them a story during your video chat? Work on a Bible memory verse together? Pray for them? There are so many possibilities to strengthen your ties to your grandchildren through technology even if you can’t be together physically at this time.

Be prayerful!

How might you connect with your grandchildren spiritually during this pandemic with all its restrictions? Even if you are separated from your grandkids for months on end, you can still engage with them spiritually. For example, if your grandchild is old enough to read, why not work out a plan in which you and your grandchild are on the same daily Bible reading plan? You might even consider getting two copies of a devotional Bible so you can give one as a gift and keep one for yourself. You can discuss with your grandchild what your plan will be for reading the same daily passages, then interact through emails, texts, or video calls about what you’ve been learning together from God’s Word.

Maybe you could have a regular time each week in which you ask your grandchild for specific prayer requests and share yours with them. Then, having prayed together for those concerns, check later with your grandchild on how the Lord is answering them. It takes intentionality, but these shared spiritual endeavors can have a deep bonding effect on the grandparent-grandchild relationship, even if you are physically separated for a time.

Be generous!

Why not send mail and packages? Remember letters? I mean real, handwritten letters that come in the mail? Children love getting mail with their own names on the envelopes. When you write, make it thoughtfully personal, maybe pointing out how you see God’s grace in your grandchild’s life or writing out a blessing.

Then, there’s packages! What child doesn’t love getting a package in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma? If you do send a package, how about asking your kids to let you know when the package has arrived and is about to be opened? Maybe you can connect via a video call to be there virtually when your grandchild opens up your package. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Be respectful!

Are you able to plan some outdoor visits? Though the restrictions that have come because of the Coronavirus pandemic may vary from country to country or state to state and change with the passing of time, outdoor visits are still possible in most locales. Do you have some grandchildren who live close enough to arrange an outdoor visit? Maybe you can invite your kids and grandkids to come to your backyard or you can travel to theirs. Could it be possible to meet somewhere for a hike or bike ride with your family?

If getting together during this era a social distancing sounds like it might work out, talk ahead of time with your kids about their comfort level. If your kids request no physical contact with the grandchildren when you are together, respectfully honor that. You can always smile and say to your grandkids, “Virtual hugs!” while you do an air embrace and blow kisses. As challenging as this may be for some of us, let us remember that this, too, shall pass in the Lord’s time.

Be fruitful!

When we do have contact with our grandchildren during this less-than-desirable season of social distancing, what attitudes should we be modeling for the coming generations? How does the gospel shape our words and demeanors? Galatians 5:22–23 reminds us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Let’s consider a few of those to prompt our hearts:

• Love: Love moves us to seek the welfare of another person, even if it means sacrificing our own preferences. It’s sad to see how polarizing responses to the imposed restrictions have been. Even sadder are grandparents who insist on their own way—either being on the overly strict side or on the overly open side of the spectrum even if that stubbornness jeopardizes opportunities to impact the grandchildren for the glory of God and their good.
• Joy: It’s true. This world we live in is broken due to sin and its affects. But, our Lord loves us. We need no further proof of his love than the cross and the empty tomb. Life around us changes, but the eternal truth of his love does not. Doesn’t that bring a sweet joy in our lives?
• Peace: Isn’t one of the most important lessons we can learn, “He is God and I am not”? When we’re interacting with our grandkids, whether in the backyard or via a video call or a text message, let’s demonstrate our confidence in our Royal Father. He loves us. He is sovereign. We can rest in him.

And, in the Lord’s wise timing, one day we’ll be able to add to “I miss you, too” the hope-filled phrase, “See you soon!” Let’s pray for that day!

A guest post by Larry McCall author of ‘Grandparenting with Grace’

The post Grandparenting During the Coronavirus appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

The best books of the year have now been chosen by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) for the Christian Book Award ®Program!

Presented annually to the finest in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Award program honors titles in eleven categories: Bibles, Bible Reference Works, Bible Study, Biography & Memoir, Children, Christian Living, Devotion & Gift, Faith & Culture, Ministry Resources, New Author, and Young Peoples Literature.

Here are the 2020 winners in each award category…

Book of the Year & New Author

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament

by Mark Vroegop

Lament is how you live between the poles of a hard life and trusting God’s goodness. Lament is how we bring our sorrow to God. But it is a neglected dimension of the Christian life for many Christians today. We need to recover the practice of honest spiritual struggle that gives us permission to vocalize our pain and wrestle with our sorrow. Lament avoids trite answers and quick solutions, progressively moving us toward deeper worship and trust. Exploring how the Bible – through the psalms of lament and the book of Lamentations – gives voice to our pain, this book invites us to grieve, struggle, and tap into the rich reservoir of grace and mercy God offers in the darkest moments of our lives.

Bibles

CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible

Today’s church can be renewed by listening to yesterday’s saints. The CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible features study notes and commentary from the writings of the church fathers of the second through fifth centuries to help you understand and apply their rich, biblical insights to your life. Also included in this Bible are “Twisted Truth” call-outs describing where some ancient thinkers drifted from orthodoxy, over 25 feature articles highlighting a key selection from one of the early church fathers on an essential Christian truth, and biographies of 25 of the most influential patristic church fathers.

NLT Life Application Study Bible

Today’s number one selling Study Bible has been thoroughly updated and expanded in The Life Application Study Bible offering fresh and relevant insights. New features include – a refreshed interior design with second color for visual clarity; meaningfully updated study notes and features; and the Christian Worker’s Resource – a special supplement to enhance the reader’s ministry effectiveness. Study the stories and teachings of the Bible with study notes, overviews, vital statistics, outlines, and timelines. Grasp difficult concepts using in-text maps, charts, and diagrams. Discover how you can apply the Bible to your life today.

Bible Reference Works

Introducing Evangelical Theology

by Daniel J. Treier

This textbook offers students a biblically rich, creedally structured, ecumenically, evangelical, and ethically engaged introduction to Christian theology. Daniel Treier, coeditor of the popular Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, discusses key Scripture passages, explains Christian theology within the structure of Nicene Creed, explores the range of evangelical approaches to contested doctrines, acquaints evangelicals with other views (including Orthodox and Catholic), and integrates theological ethics with chapters on the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer. The result is a meaty but manageable introduction to the convictions and arguments shaping contemporary evangelical theology.

Bible Study

The Logic of God: 52 Essentials for the Heart and Mind

by Ravi Zacharias

We all have doubts that challenge our faith. We wonder whether the Bible still matters, or whether God is truly as loving and personal as we hope. In his first ever devotional, The Logic of God, apologist Ravi Zacharias offers 52 readings that explain how and why Christianity, the Bible, and God are still relevant, vital, and life-changing for us today. To all our dilemmas Ravi says, “I am convinced that Jesus Christ along uniquely answers the deepest questions of our hearts and minds.”

With a remarkable grasp of biblical facts and a deep understanding of the questions that trouble our hearts, Ravi tackles the most difficult topics with ease and understanding. But The Logic of God is more than intellectual; it is also personal, offering thoughtful wisdom on the ray of hope in God’s Word; why prayer matters and more. Ravi makes profound biblical truth easy to understand. And if your life is buys, this book is perfect for you. It addresses 52 topics that you can read over the course of one year or slowly digest at your own pace.

Biography & Memoir

Devotedly: The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot

by Valerie Shepard

many know the heroic story of Jim Elliot’s violent death in 1956, killed along with four other missionaries by a primitive Ecuadorian tribe they were seeking to reach. Many also know the prolific legacy of Elisabeth Elliot, whose inspiring influence on generations of believers through print, broadcast, and personal testimony continues to resonate, even after her own death in 2015.

What many don’t know is the remarkable story of how these two stalwart personalities – single-mindedly devoted to pursuing God’s will for their young lives, certain their future callings would require them to sacrifice forever the blessings of marriage-found their heart intertwined. Their paths to God’s purpose led them together. In this book, their only child, Valerie Elliot Shepard unseals never-before-published letters and private journals that capture in first-person intimacy the attraction, struggle, drama, and devotion that became a most unlikely love story. A riveting read for old and young alike this moving account of their personal lives shines as a gold mine of lived-out truth, hard-fought purity, and an insider’s view on two beloved Christian figures.

Children

Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones

by Phil Vischer

The Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones is written by VeggieTales. creator Phil Vischer. This simple board book Bible is the perfect companion to the Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids or a delightful stand-alone tool that will introduce toddlers and preschoolers to beloved, gospel-focused Bible stories.

Christian Living

Untangling Emotions: God’s Gift of Emotions

by J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith

Our emotions are complex. Some of us seem able to ignore our feelings, while others feel controlled by them. But most of us would admit that we don’t always know what to do with how we feel.

The Bible teaches us that our emotions are an indispensible part of what makes us human–and play a crucial role in our relationships with God and others. Exploring how God designed emotions for our good, this book shows us how to properly engage with our emotions–even the more difficult ones like fear, anger, shame, guilt, and sorrow–so we can better understand what they reveal about our hearts and handle them wisely in everyday moments.

Devotion & Gift

Settle My Soul: 100 Quiet Moments to Meet with Jesus

by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

View all 2020 Christian Book Award® Finalists here!

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This article is an excerpt from Calling: Awaken to the Purpose of Your Work, Pierce Brantley’s new book (David C Cook, May 2020).

“Son, you need a sense of urgency.” When I was a boy, my dad would say this to me whenever he wanted me to treat some task around the house with the same importance as he did. Some tasks are time sensitive. Some tasks are really important because they affect other people. Still others are meant to mature us into more skillful workers. The same is true for your calling.

Your Father God first provides you with a job, and then he waits to see how you treat that work before allowing you to partner with him on bigger things. This isn’t punishment or cause for concern; it’s just the natural order of supernatural work. Hammers before jackhammers. Plumb lines before power tools. Agreement with God before awakening in calling. So often we think of our current jobs as if they have nothing to do with our calling, so we don’t approach them with the reverence they deserve. We’ll never discover our holy work with this attitude.

Jobs are provided supernaturally by God’s hand. When we revere God in that work, honor it as holy, and treat it with intention, it demonstrates to him that we’re ready for what we are really meant to do. That ought to bring an importance—an urgency—to whatever job you have.

This is spiritual urgency. It is agreeing with God that the task right in front of you requires an earnest and persistent attitude. This attitude in and of itself will give new meaning to your work—though it’s really just the start of all that’s in store for you. After all, all kinds of things can awake in others a deep desire for God.

God is looking for you to understand that every moment of your workday—even the mundane parts—is ripe for action. This is the same attitude that great men of the faith had by the time they were in the middle of their own called careers.

A HOPEFUL EXPECTATION

Jesus is coming again. We don’t know the day or the hour, of course, but the Bible is clear that the awareness of his imminent return ought to be in our minds, giving urgency to everything we do.

For the Christian man, the reality of Christ’s coming is the undercurrent beneath every calling and job. We all desire God’s will to be done on earth just as it is in heaven (see Matt. 6:10). Since we don’t know when Jesus might return or even what might happen and in what order, the desire to spread his message ought to become the driving force for what a Christian man does during any day, at work or at home or wherever he is. (We still have to do our actual jobs too!)

The opportunity we have as Christian men is to look out over the world and see it as Jesus does: as a field ready for harvest (see John 4:35). God sees humanity—including that portion you interact with at your job—as being full of potential. He has strategically set you in this time and place, not to mention this place of employment, for just such a time as this.

One thing the sobering reality of Jesus’ return may do is clarify for us what is important. It ought to give us a clear sense of what is useless, hamster-wheel work and what is work that will endure. How much time do we have to tell our family, friends, and coworkers about Christ before it’s too late?

This awareness of our finite opportunity to share the good news ought to give our jobs—whatever they are—a new urgency. Talk about finding meaning in your work!

This urgency will lead us to manifest him throughout our workday.

When the Christian man goes to work, he is colaboring with Christ in the expectation of his return. You cannot overlook it. God is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Pet. 3:9 KJV). This truth makes any job an urgent, critical, meaningful, purposeful, mission-related job.

It gives you your calling.

An expectation that Jesus’ return could happen at any moment is a great lens for looking at all your labor and discerning what needs to be done more, what needs to be done less, and what needs to be undone. Paul said it like this:

No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Cor. 3:11–15)

In other words, your work matters. No matter what job you have, Paul said you are a builder. If you’re a cook, you’re building with gold or wood. If you’re an accountant, you’re building with silver or straw. Let’s build with the best materials—what do you say? That means having your mind set on demonstrating Christ to those you encounter wherever you spend time.

We don’t know what day or hour the Lord will return. Neither do we know how many days we have on earth if Jesus tarries. In our jobs—and all the parts of our lives—we need to live in light of the possibility that we may not have a tomorrow to talk to our coworkers, bosses, or employees about eternal life.

This article is an excerpt from Calling: Awaken to the Purpose of Your Work, Brantley’s new book (David C Cook, May 2020).

The post The Heart of a Father: An Eternal Perspective by Pierce Brantley appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

We don’t know if you’re aware… but here at Christianbook, we love books. Like, we really love books. And, we’re pretty sure that you love books too.

So, fellow book lover, we’re certain you’ll agree, there’s absolutely nothing worse than losing your spot in your current read. Or having to dog-ear a book page. Ugh! To help you prevent either of these things happening to you in the future, we’ve created a series of quite lovely printable Christian bookmarks.

There are 20 bookmarks in total here – these feature Scripture, famous quotes from literary heroes, and motivational Christian phrases. Also, not forgetting our Spanish friends, we’ve also designed a series of bookmarks in español! We hope you’ll find a bookmark (or two) among these that you’ll love. Maybe you could even print some out to give to loved ones too!

Happy reading, friends!

[[ Click here to download these Bookmarks ]]

[[ Click here to download these Bookmarks ]]

The post Printable Christian Bookmarks appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

As the cold winter days drag on, there is nothing that brings us more comfort than cozying up in our favorite reading chair with a warm blanket and a good read! Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or contemporary fiction, suspense or romance – there are so many incredible new releases from which to choose your next read.

Here at Christianbook, with so many incredible books hitting our desks on a daily basis, we often find it hard to choose which book to dive into next. So, we thought we’d round up our favorites to help make your next decision a little easier!

We’d love to know what you are reading right now – share with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter by tagging @christianbook and using the hashtag #everythingchristian 

The Land Beneath Us

by Sarah Sundin

Lover of historical fiction? Well, this The Land Beneath Us is one book you won’t want to miss! Readers will be introduced to Leah Jones, a woman who grew up in an orphanage and longs to rise above her lonely past and find a place to belong. While working as a librarian at Camp Forrest, Tennessee she meets Private Clay Paxton – a man who saves her life and her virtue by offering a marriage of convenience. Can their new relationship withstand the trails of grudges, foreboding dreams, and D-day? Sarah Sundin artfully blends emotionally rich romance and historical accuracy, with heart-pounding battle scenes for a seriously page-turning read!

Two Weeks

by Karen Kinsgbury

Cole Blake is months away from finishing college and kickstarting his dream career in medicine. But as he starts his final year, he meets Elise, a mysterious new girl who captures his attention and heart from the very beginning. Elise wants to mend her wild ways and become the good girl she used to be. But soon after, Elise finds out she is pregnant. Eighteen and alone, she shares her secret with Cole who is determined to support her. When Elise decides to give the baby up for adoption, she is matched with a couple who have spent seven painful years trying to start a family. But as her due date draws near, Elise becomes more and more torn. Two Weeks is such a heart-wrenching read – and certainly one that you’ll want to keep the tissue box handy for.

The Tea Chest

by Heidi Chiavaroli

In The Tea Chest we meet two women, separated by centuries, who must both find the strength to fight for love and freedom. Hayley Ashworth’s goal is to join the Navy SEALs, but first, she must return to Boston to confront memories of her childhood. When an unexpected encounter with the man she once loved leads to the discovery of a tea chest and the document hidden within. A document about the remarkable Emma Malcolm, a 1773 Patriot sympathizer who must do what it takes to protect those she loves. Even if it means giving up the life she desires. Back in the present, this document causes Hayley to wonder if perhaps true strength and freedom are buried deeper than she first realized.

Veiled in Smoke

by Jocelyn Green

Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their veteran father, Stephen. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district, they lose much more than their store. The sisters become separated from their father during the fire as they make their escape from the family with the help of local reporter Nate Pierce. When the smoke settles they learn a family friend was murdered the night of the fire. Even more shocking, their father is charged with the crime and committed to the asylum. Though homeless and suddenly unemployed, Meg finds herself having to gather the pieces of her shattered life and prove her father’s innocence. Believe us when we say, you’ll want to add Veiled in Smoke title to your bookshelf!

A Long Time Comin’

by Robin W. Pearson

Beatrice Agnew finds out she’s dying, and intends on keeping her family secrets to herself. She is of the firm belief that if any of her children have questions about their father and the choices she made after he abandoned them, they’d best take it up with Jesus. She has no room for regrets. But when her granddaughter, Evelyn Lester shows up and uncovers a box of old letters, the two women are forced to wrestle with their past and present pain as they confront the truth. A truth Beatrice has worked a lifetime to hide from her family. This is one of those reads that will resonate with so many people. A Long Time Comin’ is one of those books that will stay with you a long time after you put it down – you’re sure to want to share it with all your nearest and dearest!

Daughter of Rome

by Tessa Afshar

When the daughter of a Roman General meets a disinherited Jewish immigrant, neither one can dream of God’s plan to transform them into the most influential couple of the early church. Nor can they anticipate the mountains that will threaten to bury them. Their courtship unwittingly shadowed by murder and betrayal, Priscilla and Aquila slowly work to build a community of believers, while their lives grow increasingly complicated thanks to a shaggy dog, a mysterious runaway, and ruthless foe desperate for love. But when they are banished from their home by an emperor, they must join forces with an unusual rabbi named Paul and fight to turn treachery into redemption. We highly recommend you add Daughter of Rome to your must-read list!

One Little Lie 

by Colleen Coble

After escaping from a cult fifteen years ago, Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother who refused to leave. Jane has been appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor after her father retires, there’s no time for an adjustment period. When her father is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, Jane realizes someone from their horrible past has found them. To help clear her father’s name, she teams up with Reid Bechtol, the well-known journalist whose latest project is filming a documentary on her life. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross – especially when her father’s lie catches up with him. All we can say is, fans of Colleen Coble will not be disappointed with One Little Lie. 

Looking for some more great Christian fiction reads? Click here!

The post New Winter Fiction Releases appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

Fiction lovers rejoice! The bestselling author of series such as Montana Marshalls and Montana Rescue returns! Susan May Warren‘s latest book has just returned with The Way of the Brave, the first book in her new series, Global Search and Rescue.

Set on the high slopes of Denali, The Way of the Brave is a high-octane read that will have you hooked right from the start. Once you’re finished, we’re sure you’ll be hitting ‘Pre-Order’ on the next book in the series The Heart of a Hero!

Order your copy of The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren by clicking here!

Q: The Way of the Brave is the first book in your Global Search and Rescue series. Can you please provide a brief description of your new book?

A: The Way of the Brave is an epic adventure on the high slopes of Denali. When a trio of female climbers gets blown off the peak of the highest mountain in North America, a group of nearby climbers volunteer to rescue them. But finding them and bringing them all home safe will take the courage and skill of all the climbers – both men and women. But what will courage cost them? It’s also a story of second chances, survival, and the true source of bravery.

Q: How is your new series different from the Montana Rescue series?

A: Higher stakes, global settings, and a group of ex-military heroes who put their lives on the line, regardless of the cost. These stories are faster paced, with more dire situations, and a global threat threaded through the trilogy.

Q: The setting for your book is Denali National Park in Alaska. Why did you choose this location?

A: I’ve always been fascinated with mountain climbing and the courage it takes to tackle the cold, the heights, and the brutal weather. I’ve read many books on Everest, K2, and Denali and asked… what if you were in an accident, and survived… how would you rescue yourself and the others who depended on you? I wanted to put the story in the backyard of most of my readers, also, so they could imagine themselves tackling such an epic feat.

Q: One of the main characters in your book struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Why did you decide to write about this topic?

A: I struggled with PTSD after our home invasion in Russia, and so I do know, in a very small way, the feels of panic, frustration, and helplessness. I wanted to tackle those very real feelings that linger long after the event or life situation that caused the PTSD, and explore just one of the ways God helped me, personally, to deal with it. Everyone is different, but I loved the journey that Orion and Jenny trek, emotionally, as they grapple with their regrets and fears and hold on to courage.

Q: In your new series, your characters are comprised of ex-military, former SEALs, and Pararescue jumpers who are bonded together in an effort to save and rescue the lost. What type of research was required to accurately portray your characters’ former careers?

A: LOTS! And I’m still researching. My husband served in the army, and my son is in the navy, so they’ve been great sources of information, as well as a plethora of books, memoirs, first accounts, and friends who have served. I’m so very grateful for the heroes and heroines who give their lives to protect our country.

Q: What do you hope readers gain from reading your new series?

A: Edifying entertainment that offers hope, encouragement, and time well spent. I am keenly aware of the entertainment choices out there, and my goal is to write stories that readers are glad they read, that give them truth and enrich their lives, even if only to let them fall in love with characters who inspire them.

Q: What is the title for your second book in this series and when will it release?

A: The Heart of a Hero! It hits the shelves in June!

Order your copy of The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren by clicking here!

The post Q&A with Susan May Warren, Author of The Way of the Brave appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

Bestselling author of the Blue Justice series and Elite Guardian series, Lynette Eason has returned with a brand new action-packed book, Collateral Damage! In typical Eason Style, Collateral Damage promises to have readers gripped from start to finish.

To learn more about the new series, Lynette Eason answered a few questions for readers about the themes and inspiration behind the story. No doubt you’ll be adding this book to your must-read list!

To order a copy of Lynette Eason’s new book ‘Collateral Damage’ click here! 

Q: Collateral Damage is the first book in your new Danger Never Sleeps series. How many books will be part of this series?

A: There will be four books

Q: How are the books in the series connected?

A: The books are connected via four friends who met while in the military. The series follows their lives and adventures and the men they meet – and fall in love with – along the way.

Q: Collateral Damage deals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What type of research was required to write about this subject?

A: I talked to a number of people about this disorder. Most people who have it don’t really like to discuss it. However, some people are more open – especially those who want to make sure the disorder is represented correctly. I also talked to those who had loved ones who suffered from PTSD, and they were able to give me pointers on how to make sure my story reflected it accurately.

To order a copy of Lynette Eason’s new book ‘Collateral Damage’ click here! 

Q: One of your main characters is a former Army special ops sergeant. How did you learn about the tasks and perils associated with this profession?

A: I did a lot of online research, but the coolest thing EVER was when I was at the Mountainside Marketing Conference this past January and I met a guy who was teaching there. Turns out he had the exact same position as my hero, Asher! This wonderful man, Vincent, read each scene and gave me feedback down to which energy bar would be eaten! He offered me terminology for gear and vocabulary in the action scenes, etc. It was a fabulous divine appointment that only God could have orchestrated.

Q: You have two very different settings for your book. Can you please let readers know why you chose these locations?

A: I’ve always been interested in the war in Afghanistan and the Middle East. I know some soldiers who are serving over there, so I knew I could get accurate information on that locale even though I’ve never been there myself. The other location is Greenville, South Carolina, and that’s simply because that’s where I live. I’m familiar with the location, and it’s easy to write about!

Q: Your second book in the series will release August 2020. How is your next book similar or different from Collateral Damage?

A: It’s similar in that it still has some of the military aspects, but very different in that it deals with a different theme, different characters, different conflicts.

To order a copy of Lynette Eason’s new book ‘Collateral Damage’ click here! 

The post Q&A with Lynette Eason, Author of Collateral Damage appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

There’s nothing better on a cool fall day than cozying up with a really great book! Whether you love a suspense, a romance, or a historical novel, you’re sure to find something to read among our top new fiction releases. 

Just add a warm blanket and a mug of something hot and you’ve got yourself the perfect fall setup…

The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis

While Sylvia grapples with rebuilding trust in her father and uncertainty about her engagement to Titus, she believes Adeline is the last person who could help her. Can God make something good come out of mistakes of the past? Or does Adeline’s arrival mark one too many surprises for the Millers and their Amish community?

You Belong With Me by Tari Faris

Real estate agent, Hannah Thornton, loves the community of Heritage, Michigan. When a business tycoon threatens to replace the town’s historic homes with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets up a plan to raise money in the hopes to not only help her beloved community, but to settle her mother’s past financial debt to the town once and for all.

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted & Rachelle Dekker

When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, Grace and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe… but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost for Grace to uncover the truth?

The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke

In the aftermath of the German blitzkrieg of Warsaw, British librarian Sophie Kumiega awaits news of her deployed husband. In the Jewish ghetto, Rosa Dunovich welcomes her first child. She soon realizes that to keep her daughter safe, she must send her into hiding. Will the dark days ahead draw these two women together?

One Final Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn

Investigator Gabriel Chavez will face his toughest assignment since he was forced to leave undercover work for the homicide unit. A boy has been murdered in Lake Porter. In order to solve the case, he’ll need to work with dive team captain Anissa Bell, where they’ll need to put their complicated history aside to find the killer.

Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano

To save her family from financial ruin, Miss Poppy Garrison accepts an unusual proposition to participate in the New York social season in exchange for her grandmother settling a family loan. Ill-equipped to handle the intricacies of mingling within the New York Four Hundred, Poppy becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another.

The Oracle by Jonathan Cahn

Open the seven doors of revelation and discover each of the Jubilean mysteries through the giving of a vision from “The Oracle”. Discover the ancient scrolls that contain the determined course of world history from the onset of modern times to the future. Hailed as a mind-blowing masterpiece, The Oracle will reveal mysteries that are absolutely real, amazing, mind-blowing, and life-changing.

Looking for more fall reading inspiration? Click here to browse our fiction store! 

The post 7 New Christian Fiction Reads for Fall appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.