Musicians address poverty
Leading Christian musicians Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith and Israel Houghton were among those who contributed songs to the new Sparrow CD, CompassionArt: Creating Freedom from Poverty, scheduled for release Jan. 27, with proceeds going to feed the poor, help orphans and fight modern-day slavery.The Toledo Blade

NIV anniversary tour latest
Men, women and children have waited as long as two hours in some cities to add a verse to the handwritten Bible Zondervan is creating to mark the 30th anniversary of its New International Version The Wall Street Journal

New Bibles 'blur' the lines
Some might wonder whether new ways of presenting the Bible, such as audio editions with sound effects, are “blurring the line between entertainment and piety.” The (San Jose, Calif.) Mercury News

'Illustrated' Bible stands out
Bible Illuminated: The Book, the New Testament illustrated with news and celebrity photos, “stands out in the ever-expanding universe of look-at-me-I'm-super-jazzy Bibles in that it's made by secular folks for secular folks.” The Los Angeles Times

Looking for meaningful gifts
Christmas shoppers at Family Christian Stores in Killen, Tex., “want their presents to convey messages about morals, ethics, decency.” The Killeen (Tex.) Daily Herald

Store's twin ministry
Marking 40 years in business, family run Probasco’s in Loveland, Colo., combines a Christian bookstore and a wig salon, where moist customers have lost their hair to cancer treatment. The Fort Collins (Colo.) Coloradoan

Facing 'shopper disillusionment'
Betsaida Christian Bookstore in Union City, N.J., has been “feeling the effects of shopper disillusionment.”The Jersey (N.J.) Journal

Guitar Praise rocks
Riding the incredible popularity of the Guitar Hero video game, Guitar Praise has caught on at The Salt Shaker Christian Bookstore and Cafe on Wilmington, N.C.The (Wilmington, N.C.) Star-News

Long-time store closes down
The Christian Bookstore in Stillwater, Ok., marks its last of 33 Christmases in business with a closing-down sale. Manager Mike Philpott said he even sold the “Bless you for not smoking” signs on the glass at the entrance.The Stillwater (Ok.) NewsPress

Green publishing trend focus
HarperOne’s The Green Bible, printed in recycled paper, is cited as an example of how publishers are “hoping to capitalize on the growing trend in Christian circles of eco-theology and creation care.”