Released April 21, Fathered by God--a repackage and revision of Eldredge's The Way of the Wild Heart (2006, Thomas Nelson)--was the subject of a three-week speaking tour the author conducted in April-May. The study will feature 3- to 6-minute introductions from Eldredge followed by 15-20 minutes of a men's small group led by the author in a "band of brothers"-type setting.

Authors scheduled to sign their books Monday, June 22, in the LifeWay Christian Stores area of the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center include Ed Blum (Holman Christian Standard Bible); Mike Glenn (In Real Time); Diana Davis (Deacon Wives); Joyce Rogers (Grace for the Widow); Brad Waggoner (The Shape of Faith to Come); Ed Stetzer (Lost and Found); and Danny Lovett (Extreme Exploits).

Authors scheduled to sign their books Tuesday, June 23, include Michael Catt (The Power of Desperation); Jerry Rankin (Spiritual Warfare); Ken Hemphill (You Are Gifted); and Stephen and Alex Kendrick (The Love Dare).

B&H Publishing Group is the book division of LifeWay Christian Resources.

According to The Dallas Morning News, Jakes said he would have been getting dressed near the site of the blast if he hadn't suddenly had a feeling that he should cancel a meeting. Because of that, he was nowhere near the sunroom of his home when the explosion occurred June 7.

While the International Christian Retail Show returns to Denver, July 12-15, in the thick of a tough economy that seems set to shrink booth spaces and attendee numbers, CBA President Bill Anderson remains upbeat about the association's summer convention.

According to his latest America's Research Group (ARG) survey, 5.5% of the population visited a Christian retail store during May. That is only slightly down on the 5.8% that did so in March, and compares favorably to the 5.6% that did so in May 2008.

That is the appeal from publishing leader Mark Kuyper, who says recent research has underscored the "staggering" potential for "ministry, discipleship and growth" among Christians who are not reached by existing marketing efforts.

Following A Cross the Earth were: 2. Portable Sounds by Toby Mac (ForeFront Records/EMI CMG Distribution); 3. Over and Underneath by Tenth Avenue North (Reunion Records/Provident-Integrity); 4. My Paper Heart by Francesca Battistelli (Fervent Records/Word Distribution); 5. 10 by MercyMe (INO Records/Provident-Integrity); 6. Wow Hits 2009 by various artists (Wow Gospel/Provident-Integrity); 7. In the Hands of God by Newsboys (Inpop Records/EMI CMG); 8. Hello Love by Chris Tomlin (sixstepsrecords/EMI CMG); 9. How You Live by Point of Grace (Word Records/Word); and 10. This Moment: Cinderella Edition by Steven Curtis Chapman (Sparrow Records/EMI CMG).