Newsboys merges traditional lyrics with modern sounds on November release

Still riding the energy of the breakout film God’s Not Dead, Christian pop group Newsboys continues to strive for fresh new ways of delivering timeless truth. For their latest album, band members found inspiration in the church hymnal.

Hallelujah for the Cross (612058638014, First Company Management/Capitol Christian Distribution), the group’s Nov. 4 release, delivers the message of traditional hymnody to the group’s younger listeners. Songs such as “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “I Surrender All,” “It Is Well” and “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” are given the Newsboys’ treatment.

“There’s something about those old songs,” lead singer Michael Tait told Christian Retailing. “There’s a salvation and a freedom and some beautiful pain in the struggle and the awesome outcome because God’s Word does not return void. My idea was to bring back the old songs for the newcomers because kids don’t know where they came from. Respect where they came from. Don’t try to make them something they’re not, but put a little Newsboys ‘sauce’ to make it special for the next generation and get the Word of God at the same time.”

On “All Hail the Power,” Tait goes a capella, complete with high and low parts and vocal instrumentation.

“It took about four days to record it,” he said. “But it’s all me. It’s all Michael Tait.”

The new record is the fourth to feature Tait as the group’s lead singer, and he feels really good about the place the band is in now. With a string of hit albums, recent concerts that have seen triple the crowd numbers as normal and a blockbuster movie appearance (God’s Not Dead 2 is being discussed, Tait said), “Newsboys 2.0,” as they’ve dubbed this version of the band, has become the standard, and Tait’s voice guides most of the band’s more recognizable songs.

Tait said recently he read a tweet of a young teenage boy who posted a picture of the band’s previous incarnation featuring Peter Furler as frontman.

“He said, ‘Who’s the white guy and where’s Michael Tait, the lead singer?’ ”

Tait’s lighthearted response?

“That’s when you know I am captain of this ship now.”

Learn more about Hallelujah for the Cross at capitolchristiandistribution.com.

Cotswolds-based ‘The Christmas Candle’ story finds new life in EchoLight Studios home video

As the world becomes more complex, will modern technological advances cause miracles to cease to exist? That’s a question explored in the film version of Max Lucado’s The Christmas Candle (848957000281, $14.99, EchoLight Studios/Capitol Christian Distribution), which released to theaters last year and debuts on home video Nov. 11.

Set in the fictional 19th-century English village of Gladbury, the story centers on David Richmond, played by Hans Matheson (Clash of the Titans, Sherlock Holmes), a progressive young minister who arrives in the village and begins a quest of modernization. This puts him at odds with an old-world candlemaker, but Richmond finds an unlikely ally in local skeptic Emily Barstow, played by Samantha Barks (Les Miserables).

Legend has it that every 25 years an angel visits the village candlemaker and touches a single candle. Whoever lights this candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas Candle also features the acting debut of popular singer Susan Boyle (Britain’s Got Talent), who also contributes a song to the film, “Miracle Hymn.”

Directed by John Stephenson, The Christmas Candle was produced by Tom Newman of Impact Productions and Hannah Leader of Big Book Media. EchoLight Studios is the new venture of former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum, who serves the company as CEO.

“Surprisingly, a Christmas movie releasing for the holidays is a unique event, as there have been very few in recent years,” Santorum said. “This film hearkens back to the heartwarming and uplifting movies of yesteryear. The story inspires renewed hope in the miracle of Christmas and illustrates that this holiday is not just about reindeer and receiving gifts. The Christmas Candle will remind audiences of the spirit and sense of wonder of the season—something that is often lost in our modern era.”

Lucado is excited about the new life the film has given his holiday story.

“This tale about a 19th-century village of simple people in the English Cotswolds in need of a miracle has lifted spirits for seven Christmases and now, thanks to producer Tom Newman and EchoLight Studios, the Candle story will touch a whole new generation,” he said. “I couldn’t be more pleased. What an honor to be a part of capturing a slice of this golden era of British history … the light of the candle still flickers.”

The Christmas Candle received a five-star recommendation from The Dove Foundation.

Learn more about the new DVD at capitolchristiandistribution.com.

Children and parents will be attracted to Noah: A Wordless Picture Book, a masterfully illustrated reimagining of one of the greatest stories of all time that closely follows the Old Testament narrative. Illustrator Mark Ludy’s art digs deeper than the Sunday-school tale of Noah, exploring the biblical figure’s relationship with his family, the natural world, God—and a formidable engineering challenge.

Children also will find a bonus in its pages as they search for Squeakers the mouse who appears on every page.

The Plough Publishing House releases the 64-page hardcover book (9780874866391, $19.95) Nov. 5.
Orders: plough.com.

Coordinating with DaySpring and one of the gift company’s most popular brands, Thomas Nelson has repackaged the Really Woolly Bible, releasing Dec. 30.

Adding to the top-selling brand’s products, which include greeting cards, plush and animated DVDs, the new hardcover Bible is available in a larger trim size and retails for $19.99. The readability of the New International Version combined with the whimsical DaySpring characters are meant to find an audience among children ages 2-7.

Learn more at thomasnelson.com.

BIBLE STUDY

ANONYMOUS: WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY PARTICIPANT BOOK

Cindi Wood
Abingdon Press
softcover, 208 pages, $15.99
9781426792120
Nov. 4

The Bible is filled with “anonymous” women who made a significant impact in God’s story. Anonymous: Discovering the Somebody You Are to God helps women discover their uniqueness and significance to Christ by exploring some of the “anonymous” women of the Bible. Though these women in the Bible are not named, they all were known and loved by God. Each week of Wood’s six-session study begins with an overview of the anonymous woman’s story, including background material with relevance to the cultural lifestyles and environment of the day. The study’s daily lessons explore her story and the ways that all women can relate to her. Contemporary “anonymous” stories and quotes from everyday women are sprinkled throughout, reinforcing the personal relevance of this study. A Leader Kit is also available, which includes the Participant Book, Leader Guide, DVD and Preview Book.

Orders: abingdonpress.com.

CATHOLIC

THE GRACE OF YES

Lisa M. Hendey
Ave Maria Press
softcover, 160 pages, $15.95
9781594714726
Nov. 3

Catholicmom.com blogger and best-selling author Hendey is fueled by a lifelong passion for her faith. In The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living, she guides readers through pivotal moments of her journey and the eight virtues that have helped her learn how to say yes to God. She explores the eight spiritual virtues that she believes are foundational to the Christian life, helping readers learn about belief, creativity, integrity, humility, vulnerability, saying no and starting over. She shows how these virtues lead to generous living and the ability to joyously say yes to God. Hendey reflects candidly on her own real-life struggles: the identity adjustment of leaving a blossoming career to become a stay-at-home mom; the temptation of divahood as her online celebrity grew; the freedom and opportunities of empty-nest status versus the middle-aged body’s pull to slow down; her encounters with a spiritual community during treatment for cancer; and the contrast between the lingering grief she confronted at a Rwandan genocide memorial and the willingness of survivors there to forgive. Hendey also provides questions for personal reflection and a prayer to close the exploration of each virtue.

Orders: avemariapress.com.

THEN COMES BABY

Gregory and Lisa Popcak
Ave Maria Press
softcover, 288 pages, $16.95
9781594714115
Nov. 3

In this foundational book for Catholic couples who are becoming first-time moms and dads, the Popcaks lend readers the benefit of their 25 years of experience in counseling to help couples navigate the earliest years of parenthood. The authors recommend rituals, routines and tips on how to manage feeding, fatigue and finances and how also to prioritize marital bonding and faith. The authors coach parents as they adjust to their new identities and help them face the inevitable challenges of parenthood—all while seeing these everyday experiences through the lens of Catholic teaching on the purpose of family life.

Orders: avemariapress.com.

CHILDREN

GOD KNOWS ME

Juliet David; illustrated by Mike Byrne
Lion Hudson (Kregel Publications)
board book, 10 pages, $7.99
9781781281130
Nov. 27

David and Byrne help very young children explore their world and discover God’s love. These colorful, padded board books teach children the importance of knowing God, knowing God loves them and knowing God will be there to help them. Illustrated with bright pictures of everyday scenes and one simple sentence per page, the book also can be used to introduce children to the idea of prayer. Other titles in the series include Please, Thank You and Sorry.

Orders: kregel.com.

GOOD ALWAYS WINS: KIDS’ EDITION

Ed Strauss
Barbour Publishing
softcover, 128 pages, $4.99
9781630583842
Nov. 1

If God really cares about people, why does He allow terrorism, disease, war and financial hardships? Good Always Wins—Kids’ Edition tackles these tough questions with Bible-based answers for readers ages 8 to 12. This book shows that God is working in and through the tragedies of our world to redeem them and bring good from evil.

Orders: barbourbooks.com.

GUESS WHO? NOAH’S ARK

Christina Goodings; illustrated by Angela Muss
Lion Hudson (Kregel Publications)
board book, 6 pages, $9.99
9780745964966
Nov. 27

This Flip-The-Flap book is useful for toddlers who love a game of peek-a-boo. While children learn about the story of Noah, they will guess who is hiding beneath the book’s 12 flaps. With bright collage artwork and a different character under each flap, this board book aims to captivate the very young.

Orders: kregel.com.

HUMBLE PIE

WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER
Barbour Publishing
softcover, 160 pages, $5.99
9781628363890
Nov. 1

Twins Mattie and Mark Miller get a taste of humble pie in their Holmes County, Ohio, community. Whether they’re bragging about their ability to play sports, ace a test, bake a cake or win a pie-eating contest, the almost 10-year-olds just can’t seem to tame their pride. This fifth book in the series from best-selling author Brunstetter is designed for readers ages 8-12.

Orders: barbourbooks.com.

MY FIRST MATCH-N-LEARN PUZZLE: ALPHABET

Barbour Publishing
$12.99
9781630584405
Nov. 1

The My First Match-n-Learn Puzzle: Alphabet game teaches children basic first sounds skills as they piece together 26 self-correcting puzzle pairs. Each of the puzzle pieces flips over to reveal either a letter of the alphabet (upper and lower case) or an illustration of an object that begins with that particular letter. The puzzle pieces are designed with rounded corners for little hands. A bonus guide is included for teachers and parents, offering suggestions on how to tie in biblical characters and principles while playing the puzzle game.

Orders: barbourbooks.com.
 

MY FIRST MEMORY MATCH GAME: NOAH’S ARK

Barbour Publishing
$12.99
9781630584436
Nov. 1

My First Memory Match Game: Noah’s Ark helps to build children’s basic memory skills as they attempt to match 24 card pairs—including doves, elephants, rainbows and arks. Children can use each of the puzzle pieces for a fun game of memory match, or they can flip the game board over to place the matching cards as they help Noah get all of the animals on the ark. Each of the game pieces is designed with rounded corners for safe play for young children. This game helps to reinforce the principles of trust and obedience to God.

Orders: barbourbooks.com.

MY LITTLE LIFE OF JESUS

Karen Williamson; illustrated by Amanda Enright
Lion Hudson (Kregel Publications)
hardcover, 68 pages, $8.99
9781781281314
Nov. 27

My Little Life of Jesus introduces the story of Jesus’ life to 3- to 5-year-olds. With illustrations from a popular Candle Books artist, the book also includes a map to show the land where Jesus lived. This padded hardcover book comes with a presentation page for gift- or award-giving.

Orders: kregel.com.

MY VERY FIRST BIBLE AND PRAYERS

Juliet David; illustrated by Helen Prole
Lion Hudson (Kregel Publications)
hardcover, 64 pages, $9.99
9781781281529
Nov. 27

From the award-winning “Candle Bible for Toddlers” series comes this combination of the My Very First Bible and My Very First Prayers titles. With Bible stories and prayers interwoven throughout, the compilation brings the best of these two books together. This title is a useful tool for those wanting to take the first steps in introducing their children to the Christian faith.

Orders: kregel.com.

THE BIBLE AMIGOS: FIVE LOAVES, TWO FISH AND ONE BIG HAT

Frank Fraser
Barbour Publishing
hardcover, 48 pages, $7.99
9781624168888
Nov. 1

“The Bible Amigos” series for kids ages 3-7 is from a creative artist who has worked on Disney and PBS Sprout projects. In the series, the three amigos—Walla the koala, Donk the donkey and Edge the hedgehog—carry God’s love and guidance wherever a flying Bible takes them. Featuring action-filled pictures, each story shares key biblical truths. In Five Loaves, Two Fish, and One Big Hat, kids will learn they’re never too little to serve God in a big way.

Orders: barbourbooks.com.

THE LION NURSERY BIBLE

Elena Pasquali; illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
Lion Hudson (Kregel Publications)
hardcover, 192 pages, $19.99
9780745965475
Nov. 27

Fifteen Bible stories for the nursery shelves are compiled in this keepsake volume. The soft, traditional illustrations provide a focal point for little children, while the accompanying stories are told in uncomplicated yet lively language—easy for a parent to read aloud. The Lion Nursery Bible gift edition features a white padded cover with the title and the words “a special gift” in silver foil, and with silver edging on the pages and rounded corners to make it more child-friendly. A dedication page and ribbon marker are included.

Orders: kregel.com.

COMMENTARY

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: A NEWLY DISCOVERED COMMENTARY

J.B. Lightfoot; edited by
Ben Witherington III and Todd D. Still
IVP Academic (InterVarsity Press)
hardcover, 400 pages, $40
9780830829446
November

In the spring of 2013, Witherington discovered hundreds of pages of biblical commentary by J.B. Lightfoot in England’s Durham Cathedral Library. Among those pages were two sets of lecture notes on the book of Acts. Together they amount to a richly detailed, albeit unfinished, commentary. In fact, the project of writing a commentary on Acts had long been on Lightfoot’s mind, and now Witherington and Still have brought his work to InterVarsity’s frontlist with The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary, the first installment of “The Lightfoot Legacy,” a three-volume set of previously unpublished material.

Orders: ivpress.com.

GIFT BOOKS

WRITTEN ON MY HEART

Jean Fisher
Barbour Publishing
softcover, 240 pages, $14.99
9781628369014
Nov. 1

Dozens of readings sharing spiritual truths are featured in Written on My Heart, a devotional journal and Bible memory plan. Set in a one-color design, Written on My Heart is a reminder for women to live their best life according to God’s plan, and features topics such as friendship, love, serving and encouragement.

Orders: barbourbooks.com.

YOU ARE HIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Darlene Sala
Barbour Publishing
softcover, 384 pages, $24.99
9781628369656
Nov. 1

Author of Created for a Purpose, Encouraging Words for Women and You Are Blessed, best-selling author Sala offers a mix of encouragement and challenge for today’s busy, stressed woman in this 365-day devotional journal. The readings in the You Are His Daily Devotional Journal address topics such as loneliness, money, aging, purpose, perseverance and beauty. Women also can record their own observations, reactions, prayer and praise notes in the journaling space provided.

Orders: barbourbooks.com.

SPANISH

CÓMO PROBAR UN ESPÍRITU (HOW TO TRY A SPIRIT)

Mary Garrison
Whitaker House
softcover, 64 pages, $9.99
9781629111933
November

Now available in Spanish, Garrison’s guide helps believers identify and combat the principal evil spirits at work in the world today. She gives the biblical name of the spirits, their fruit, the tactics they use in the lives of believers, the scriptural methods of overcoming evil spirits, and how to live in victory.
Orders: whitakerhouse.com.

SABIDURÍA DIARIA PARA MUJURES (DAILY WISDOM FOR WOMEN)

Barbour Publishing
softcover, 384 pages, $9.99
9781630586584
Dec. 1

This devotional collection—now available in Spanish—is designed to draw women closer to their heavenly Father’s heart. With a devotional reading and prayer for each day of the year, Daily Wisdom for Women aims to provide encouragement and refreshment as readers come to know how deeply God loves them.
Orders: barbourbooks.com.

YOUNG ADULT

10 ULTIMATE TRUTHS GIRLS SHOULD KNOW

Kari Kampkis
Thomas Nelson
softcover, 224 pages, $12.99
9780529111036
Nov. 4

When Kampakis wrote a blog post in 2013 titled “10 Truths Young Girls Should Know,” it went viral. This nonfiction book for teen girls expands on the 10 truths in that post. In a world where teen girls deal daily with cliques, bullying, rejection and social-media nightmares, the author wants girls to know that they don’t have to compromise their integrity and future to find love, acceptance and security. With practical advice, loving support and insightful discussion questions, 10 Ultimate Truths offers an approachable list of guidelines that will help young girls become the young women God made them to be.

Orders: thomasnelson.com.

PSYCHOLOGY: A STUDENT’S GUIDE

Stanton L. Jones
Crossway
softcover, 128 pages, $11.99
9781433539787
Nov. 30

This introductory resource examines the field of psychology from a distinctly Christian perspective. The first section looks to the history of psychological inquiry, focusing on thinkers such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, the influence of the Enlightenment and Darwinism, and the development of modernist psychology. In section two, readers interact with “great ideas” such as the origins of morality, nature vs. nurture, the relationship between the mind and the brain, and the concept of personal identity.
Orders: crossway.org.

SEARCH FOR THE SHADOW KEY

Wayne Batson
Thomas Nelson
softcover, 288 pages, $9.99
9781400323678
Dec. 9

The second book in “Dreamtreaders” explores the concept of dreams and their effects. Fourteen-year-old Archer Keaton discovers he has the ability to enter and explore his dreams. He is a dreamtreader, one of three selected from each generation. Their mission is to protect the waking world from the evil lurking in the Dream. The Nightmare Lord has been thrown down, but his throne is no longer empty. Rigby Thames has taken up the evil mantle with Kara Windchil as his queen. Now the only living dreamtreader, Archer Keaton finds himself on the outside of two worlds looking in. Dream Walking Inc. is taking the world by storm, allowing Rigby to build an unstoppable empire. Worse still, Rigby has unleashed the Tendrils, shadow people who can cross over into the waking world. As Archer’s family and friends begin to disappear, unexpected help comes in the form of the Wind Maiden, a mysterious angelic being who seems to know how Archer can rescue his loved ones and defeat the new Nightmare King. But the cost may prove too dear for Archer to pay. This second book in the “Dreamtreaders” series teaches kids the importance of key Christian values—being a light in the darkness, resisting temptation and keeping your faith—even when they feel like they are standing alone.

Orders: thomasnelson.com.

YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US

Nancy Rue
Thomas Nelson
softcover, 288 pages, $9.99
9781400323715
Dec. 2

Written by best-selling author Rue, each book in the “Mean Girl Makeover” trilogy focuses on a different character’s point of view: the bully, the victim and the bystander. The books reveal biblical solutions to the bullying problem set in a story for tween girls. You Can’t Sit With Us tells the story of Ginger Hollingberry, a new sixth-grader at Gold Country Middle School. Ginger has been the brunt of teasing and taunting from the queen bee of the school, Kylie Steppe, and her so-called Wolf Pack. Kylie and the Pack favor a new and especially hurtful medium of taunting: social networking. What follows is a candid look into the growing world of cyberbullying, showing kids that bullying doesn’t always end at school.

Orders: thomasnelson.com.

[ ASK THE AUTHOR ]Ronie Kendig

Latest Project: Hawk (9781624163180, $13.99, Nov. 1).

PUBLISHER:
Shiloh Run Press (Barbour Publishing).

How do you summarize the story of Hawk and how it relates to Raptor 6, the first book in this series?

Continuing the mission with Raptor team, Hawk pits these heroic special operators against the same terrorist who haunted their moves in Raptor 6—but he has since turned the game into a personal vendetta. Raptor’s communications expert, Staff Sergeant Brian “Hawk” Bledsoe, is struggling with his inner demons, leaving him on the verge of an “other than honorable” discharge. Plagued with corrupted Intel, Raptor team continues to track down the terrorist playing chess with their lives. Afghan pilot Fekiria Haidary is devastated when a systems glitch on her aircraft forces a weapons launch on a safe target. And when the deadly bombing separates Brian from the team, he must make an impossible choice: save his brothers-in-arms or save the woman and children depending on him to survive a brutal snowstorm.

What is the meaning of the series name, “The Quiet Professionals”?

It’s a nickname given to the soldiers of the U.S. Special Forces—the Green Berets. They’re known as the “quiet professionals” because they work mostly in secret. Often they go unnoticed and unrecognized as the best soldiers America has. But it is a well-earned moniker because, as the 20th Special Forces Group puts it, “the quiet men of Special Forces have no need to broadcast their deeds. Their record speaks for itself.”

Should readers read the first book of the series to understand Hawk?

“The Quiet Professionals” is unique to “Rapid-Fire Fiction” readers in that the books are continuous. A reader would be better prepared to enjoy Hawk if they have read its predecessor, Raptor 6, first. However, readers can read Hawk and after a little disorientation at the beginning, would probably survive the mission and help save the team by the story’s close.

What is Rapid-Fire Fiction?

Rapid-Fire Fiction has become my brand because across books and genres, I am a “tomboy” of a writer—while my stories have romance threads, my passion comes out writing action and fast-paced adventures. I’m not sure if I have a little bit of A.D.D. or what, but I bore easily, so in order to keep myself intrigued in my story, I keep things moving along at a pretty quick pace.

How do you ensure the military aspects of your stories are authentic?

With the ever-evolving nature of combat, it’s quite difficult to make sure what happens in my story is both relevant and accurate. Since writing Raptor 6 more than a year ago, one of the bases used in the series has been largely closed down, so I’ve had to adjust for that within the story. Writing military fiction for the last six years, I’ve developed contacts and resources that I keep close to my heart. They’ve shown me respect by helping me, and I will continue to respect their need and desire for privacy. It’s hard to be a female author who hasn’t served and asking for the help of these seasoned veterans. But they see my attempts to respect and honor their sacrifices and hard work, and that has opened doors.

What research did you do for this book?

Hawk explores many adventures—one of the most exciting was that my heroine is also a female Afghan pilot, inspired by 2nd Lieutenant Niloofar Rhmani, who in 2013 became Afghanistan’s first female pilot in three decades! So, I had to research the trek pilots took to earn their wings, then their advanced flight certification. Also, as with Raptor, the element of cyber terrorism continues to wreak havoc with the team, so I did some more digging into that field.

What else should Christian retailers know about Hawk?

One thing I am most proud of and pleased about regarding not only Hawk, but the whole “Quiet Professionals” series is that I campaigned and succeeded in making sure each guy featured on the cover wasn’t “just another pretty face”—they are all legitimate heroes who have served in our Armed Forces. The model for Raptor 6 has actually served as a Special Forces operator, just like the character he portrays. Hawk’s cover model is an Air Force veteran, and the model for Falcon (May 2015) is a Marine—and Purple Heart recipient!

Emphasizing the revival of the 16th and 17th centuries, Reformation Heritage Books releases The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible this month. Articles are included about the faith, some of which were written by Reformers, Puritans and modern theologians in the reformed tradition. Each chapter offers thoughts for personal and family devotions. Introductions to each book of the Bible incorporate an overview of church history, creeds and catechisms. Study notes, cross-references, maps and a daily reading plan are some of the additional features. The hardcover retails for $40. Several leather and leatherlike editions are also available at various prices.

To help women grow stronger spiritually and be better prepared for spiritual warfare, Passio, an imprint of Charisma House, has published the MEV SpiritLed Woman Bible. The Modern English Version (MEV) is a word-for-word translation in the tradition of the King James Version that aims to maintain the beauty of the past while providing clarity for modern readers. Key features include daily inspirational thoughts, character profiles of biblical women, interactive study tools and deeper teaching on spiritual battle. This edition releases Nov. 4 in hardcover ($44.99) and leather-like ($64.99).

The Life Recovery Bible from Tyndale House Publishers is available in the King James Version this month (hardcover, $39.99). Based on the Twelve Steps of recovery, more than 2 million copies have been sold in the New Living Translation. Recovery notes, devotionals and profiles are placed throughout from author Stephen Arterburn, founder of New Life Ministries, and David Stoop, author and director of The Center for Family Therapy in Newport Beach, California. Other features include a 12-step comparison chart.

Learning From the Giants: Life and Leadership Lessons From the Bible (hardcover, $16) is the newest book from No.1 New York Times best-selling author John C. Maxwell. In this FaithWords title releasing Nov. 11, Maxwell draws on more than 50 years of Scripture study to deliver wisdom from biblical figures about leadership and one’s relationship with God. With more than 24 million books sold, Maxwell speaks worldwide on leadership, and his nonprofit, EQUIP, has trained more than 5 million leaders in 180 countries.

Liberty University Vice President and Campus Pastor Johnnie Moore debunks the idea that God’s will is hard to find in What Am I Supposed To Do With My Life?: God’s Will Demystified. The book addresses the question Moore hears more than any other and shows that God’s will isn’t as difficult to discern as many think it is. Thomas Nelson’s W Publishing Group releases this softcover book ($15.99) Nov. 4.

By examining 10 examples of biblical prayers that produced miraculous answers from God, Mike Shreve encourages readers to expect the miraculous when they pray. His book, Powerful Prayers for Supernatural Results: How to Pray Like Moses, Elijah, Hannah, and Other Biblical Heroes Did (softcover, $11.99), releases Nov. 4 from Charisma House. Shreve is pastor at the Triumphant Living Ministry Center in Cleveland, Tennessee, and has authored 11 books, including 65 Promises From God for Your Child.

Duck Dynasty’s Mountain Man, Tim Guraedy, has written Mountain Man: Keepin’ a Slow Profile (Broadstreet Publishing). With his typical humor and references to sports, music and the Bible, Guraedy advocates slowing down and focusing on what is truly valuable and important rather than speeding up to squeeze more into each day. His book releases this month in hardcover ($14.99).

In Prayers for People Who Say They Can’t Pray (softcover, $16.99), Donna Schaper offers new ways to think about prayer in order to remove obstacles such as disbelief and disappointment. Her book is targeted to both believers and those who have yet to believe, and is available in stores this month from Abingdon Press. Schaper is senior minister at Judson Memorial Church in New York City and a principal at Bricks Without Straw, a consulting firm assisting nonprofits.

Laurie Wallin’s book Get Your Joy Back: Banishing Resentment and Reclaiming Confidence in Your Special Needs Family (softcover, $13.99) addresses the concerns of special-needs families and releases Nov. 27 from Kregel Publications. A speaker and certified life coach, Wallin is the author of Why Your Weirdness Is Wonderful. She is also mom to four girls, two of whom have special needs. From firsthand experience she offers hope to the weary and explains how forgiveness is the key to restoring joy.

Glandion Carney (with Marjean Brooks) tells of God’s amazing grace following Carney’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in The Way of Grace: Finding God on the Path of Surrender (IVP Books/InterVarsity Press). With transparency about his own difficulties, Carney, an Anglican priest and speaker with Renovaré, discusses the benefits of spiritual practices and the abundance of God’s grace. The Way of Grace is available in stores this month (softcover, $15).

In Vainglory: The Forgotten Vice (softcover, $14) Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung defines vainglory, considers its modern expressions and explains how a desire for attention and acknowledgement can damage one’s relationships with God and others. DeYoung, a professor of philosophy at Calvin College, also explores practices that can help individuals and communities resist this vice and handle glory well. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing releases Vainglory this month.