Named one of the “30 Emerging Voices” who will help lead the church in the next decade by Charisma magazine, conference speaker and best-selling author Margaret Feinberg has attracted a following among believers seeking an authentic, intimate faith. Still, at one point in her journey Feinberg found her sense of wonder diminished by the demands of modern living.

In Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God (978-1-617-95088-9, $14.99), her Worthy Publishing book that releases Christmas day, Feinberg recounts how her “sense of holy awe was replaced by unholy indifference.”

But when she experienced a series of challenges—financial difficulties, a health problem and the death of a dear friend—Feinberg found that God used her trials to bring a new awakening to her spirit.

“That’s when God awoke me from my slumber to the most spectacular wonder of his presence,” she writes, inviting readers to seek God for a greater measure of wonder in everyday life and in times of trial.

Wonderstruck begins by describing a mesmerizing display of the Northern Lights. Although Feinberg had witnessed them many times, this particular display surpassed all others and ignited her longing to experience more of God. She wondered: “If these lights were so beautiful, how much more stunning must their Maker be?”

Using stories from her life and those of biblical figures like Ezekiel and Job, Feinberg guides readers through 10 sources of wonder, including creation, prayer and friendship. Near each chapter’s end, she asks questions to assist readers in self-examination.

“As followers of Jesus, we have the opportunity to live each day in wild amazement of God,” writes Feinberg, whose books and Bible studies have sold more than 600,000 copies.

The book concludes with “30 Days of Wonder: A Challenge to Experience God More,” in which Feinberg suggests a different activity for each day. With new online groups beginning the first of each month through her social media sites, participants are invited to share their discoveries on Feinberg’s Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages. She also recommends songs for the 10 wonders discussed in the book so readers can create playlists for inspiration along the way.

A seven-session Wonderstruck DVD study produced by LifeWay will be available in January 2013 for further exploration of the topic of wonder.

To order Wonderstruck, call EMI CMG Distribution at 800-877-4443.

Iris Delgado continues her best-selling “Satan, You Can’t Have” series with the fourth title, Satan, You Can’t Have My Promises. Releasing in January from Charisma House, the spiritual warfare guide encourages Christians to reclaim what is theirs in Christ. Delgado provides biblical principles and declarations with which to confront Satan and aims to help believers take possession of all God has given them, including power and anointing, forgiveness, security, divine guidance and healing. The softcover book retails for $9.99.

Pastor-turned-professor Zack Eswine writes out of concern for those in full-time ministry in Sensing Jesus: Life and Ministry as a Human Being. Eswine draws on personal stories of crisis, shares openly about his own failures and communicates honestly what he has seen in his 20 years of ministry. The book also covers practical matters such as how to pray for the sick, how to do church discipline and how to handle family dynamics in pastoral ministry. Released Nov. 30, the Crossway softcover retails for $19.99.

Wisdom literature expert Douglas Sean O'Donnell explores the poetry, themes and wisdom of the Song of Solomon from a Christocentric perspective in The Song of Solomon: An Invitation to Intimacy, released Nov. 30 from Crossway. O’Donnell shows readers that this biblical love song is meant to teach about sexuality, human love and God’s heart for His people. Edited by R. Kent Hughes, the hardcover book retails for $25.99.

Love and respect—both are important in a marriage. Author Nina Roesner, executive director of the Christian training organization Greater Impact Ministries, looks at the respect component in The Respect Dare: 40 Days to a Deeper Connection With God and Your Husband, releasing Dec. 11 from Thomas Nelson and retailing for $15.99. With true stories and practical questions, Roesner shows women that the key to a successful marriage is respect for their husbands.

Many public figures—athletes, models, politicians—have told their personal story as part of the “I Am Second” campaign, but most in the movement are simply ordinary people. Celebrity or not, Live Second: 365 Ways to Make Jesus First encourages readers to learn what it means to put Jesus first on a daily basis. The Thomas Nelson-published guide provides 365 readings, prayers, action steps and an invitation to join other Christ-followers online. Releasing Dec. 11, it retails for $16.99.

Building on the themes of his best-selling book God Winks, SQuire Rushnell’s God Wink Stories: A Devotional shares true stories that reveal that “Godwinks”—or “coincidences” that really are direct messages from God—happen to everyone. The devotional shows how the stories of people today parallel God’s wisdom in the Scriptures. In stores Dec. 4, the Howard Books release retails for $14.99.

Author and missions specialist Paul Borthwick asks the question, “What’s the role of the North American church?” in Western Christians in Global Mission, releasing this month from IVP Books (InterVarsity Press). Borthwick, a consultant who also teaches missions at Gordon College, reports on the role of the Western church and how it can best continue in global mission without being paternalistic or creating dependency. The softcover book retails for $15.

Apologist Alex McLellan takes on the big task of helping readers put the pieces of their lives—and the world—together in A Jigsaw Guide to Making Sense of the World, releasing this month from IVP Books (InterVarsity Press). Taking a conversational approach to worldview issues, this thoughtful but practical guide will help believers put the pieces together and show how the Christian faith paints the big picture. The book retails for $15.

Latest project: The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus (978-1-426-75251-3, $18.99, Abingdon Press).

How does The Way relate to other recent books of yours? Over the years I’ve been to the Holy Land numerous times. The Holy Land is often called “the fifth gospel” because being there changes how you read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It acts, in many ways, as a living commentary on the gospels. After numerous trips over I began to outline a trilogy of books that would take readers through the life of Jesus in the light of biblical archaeology, geography and the latest in biblical scholarship. My hope was to help readers grow in their understanding of, and love for, Jesus Christ. As a pastor, I also wanted them to know how the gospel stories not only teach us about Jesus, but about his will for our lives.

The first in the trilogy of books was The Journey which unpacked the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus. The last in the trilogy is 24 Hours That Changed the World which focused on Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Way completes the trilogy by exploring the three-year public ministry of Jesus beginning with his baptism in the Jordan. It explores the places Jesus travelled, the main themes of his ministry and the people he ministered with.

In preparing to write these books I returned to the Holy Land three times meeting with archaeologists, Galilean fishermen, a Samaritan priest, as well as scholars and guides who have spent their lives in the land. I sought to retrace the stories in the gospels in a way a typical tour group does not. I walked portions of the journey Mary and Joseph walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I spent days backpacking alone across the Galilee exploring the places Jesus ministered. I retraced the footsteps of Jesus during the final day of Jesus’ life. The insights gained from these experiences are all included in the books.

Knowing that many Christians would like to go to the Holy Land, but only a few will make the journey, we took a film crew to video the things I describe in the books. Each chapter has a ten minute video opening for use in small groups or for personal use. I take readers to all of the places I describe in the book. The book and video work together to deepen the faith, and faithfulness, of readers.

The Way draws the reader into the Gospels. Is there a particular Gospel that’s a favorite of yours, and if so, why? The Gospel of Luke is my favorite. I love the way Luke paints such vivid pictures of the people Jesus ministered to. He also makes clear Jesus’ concern for people who were broken, sinners and second class. I tend, in the books, to draw most often from Mark’s gospel in that Mark was the most succinct. I often follow him and then supplement with material from the other gospels. When it comes to the teaching of Jesus I’m drawn to Matthew, who has the most complete body of Jesus’ teachings. John’s gospel was considered the “spiritual gospel” by the early church. He focused on making sure readers understood the theological and spiritual significance of Jesus. Some of the most moving insights into the meaning of the life of Jesus, for me, come from John. So, I love Luke, but I’m grateful for Matthew, Mark and John as well.

Themes like the kingdom of God and life as a disciple of Christ come through in the Gospels and in this book. Did these concepts have a new impact on you as you wrote about them? You can’t talk the life and ministry of Jesus without speaking of the Kingdom of God. This is the central theme of his teaching and preaching. Jesus’ primary call upon those who heard him was to “follow me.” My hope in The Way is to help readers understand more clearly what it means to be a part of the Kingdom of God and what it looks like to faithfully follow Jesus. In the book I devote much of one chapter to walking through the Sermon on the Mount for here Jesus gives the clearest picture of what our lives are meant to look like if God is our King. While none of us completely live up to his teachings there – in fact some would say it is impossible to do so – his words there are represent my highest aspirations for how I would live. And my inability to fully live up to them point to my need for Christ’s saving work in my life.

No doubt readers will find some of your insights on the life of Christ intriguing. For instance, on “Palm Sunday,” you state that there were two other processions—designed to show force—going on the same day. Where are those cited in history? We know that Pontius Pilate’s primary residence was in Caeserea Maritima on the coast. Yet we know from the gospels that he was in Jerusalem for the Passover. It is likely that he came over to keep peace in the city (the Passover was a particularly troublesome time for the Romans as the feast was a celebration of how God had delivered his people from slavery in Egypt – the hope of many Jews was that God would do this again, delivering them from Roman rule – hence the need to have Rome’s governor present along with this troops to prevent an uprising).

We also know from the Gospels that Herod Antipas was in Jerusalem for the Passover. His primary residence was in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. He would have come in a royal procession with his own military to Jerusalem for the Passover. We cannot know exactly which day each of the other two processions would have arrived in the Jerusalem, but I suggest in the book that the three may have occurred on the same day. Jesus’ processional, riding on a donkey, calling people to love their enemies, and surrounded by a ragamuffin band of followers would have stood in stark contrast to the other processionals.

There are sidebars in the book that take the reader to the Holy Land. What are some of the things that were instructive to you as you visited the land of Israel? Often when tour groups go to the Holy Land the tour companies are trying to fit so much in that there is often not enough time for reflection and to experience the land. In groups that I lead over we do less and experience more. The tours are also typically organized to take you first to Galilee and then to Jerusalem, or vice versa – this allows you to see and do more, but it does not allow you to experience the life of Jesus chronologically. On the tours I help lead we start in Bethlehem with the birth of Jesus, then to the Jordan near the Dead Sea to recount his baptism. Then we head to the Judean Wilderness – I have the guides take us to a remote area on top of a desert mountain and we stop there and spend an hour in silent prayer, each pilgrim finding a quiet place alone, so that they can read the temptation story and spend time actually experiencing the story – walking in the wilderness where Jesus walked praying in silence. We then take people to Nazareth where Jesus grew up and was first rejected, and then on to Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee where we spend several days. I take groups atop Mount Arbel and we talk about Jesus’ time on the mountains and then we hike down together. We take groups through the heart of the West Bank, to the town of Nablus which was ancient Sychar where we visit Jacob’s Well, drinking from the well and remembering Jesus’ concern for Samaritans and outcasts. Finally, we retrace the events of the last week of Jesus’ life in Jerusalem, again trying to help people become a part of the story through a variety of experiences.

One additional thing we do: We invite a Palestinian Christian leader and a Jewish leader to share with us their different perspectives on the conflict in the Holy Land. We spend part of our time in the Palestinian areas so that our time in the Holy Land builds bridges not walls and seeks to bless both Israelis and Palestinians.

The Way can be read year-round, of course, but you mention Lent. Did you write it particularly with that special season in mind? As you note, the book can be read any time, but I was imagining that many would read it during Lent. There are six weeks of Lent and there are six chapters in the book. The first chapter deals with Jesus’ baptism and temptations, and the season of Lent begins in this same place with the baptism and temptation of Jesus. Lent ends with Holy Week and the final chapter in the book takes readers through the events of Holy Week climaxing in Christ’s crucifixion. The epilogue to the book corresponds with Easter – its focus is on the meaning of the resurrection. My hope is that those who read it during Lent will find their experience of Holy Week and Easter deeper and more meaningful for having read the book.

There are a number of companion products to the hardcover book. How can Christian retailers best encourage their customers to take a look at these? The Way is designed to be a church-wide focus with curriculum for children and youth, a video and leader’s guide for Bible studies, small group and Sunday School classes to use with the hardbound book, and a 40 day devotional with daily readings from the gospels and meaningful reflections upon these texts. There is a 60 second video we’ve prepared that shows where the book will take people and another that is meant to be a promo for churches to show in worship the week before the emphasis begins. If Christian retailers were able to play these two videos from a laptop, repeating in a continuous loop, the videos will draw shoppers to want to find out more.

Over 15,000 churches have used The Journey and 24 Hours That Changed the World so far. Doing The Way as a church-wide emphasis has the power to unify a church and to deepen the faith and passion of the congregation. As the congregation reads and studies, the pastor has the opportunity to preach from the same themes and amazing things happen.

Read more of this Q&A online at www.christianretailing.com/hamilton.

ASK THE AUTHOR
Irene Hannon
LATEST PROJECT: Vanished (978-0-800-72123-7, $14.99, January).
PUBLISHER: Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group.

Vanished is a “Private Justice” novel. Where does the series’ name come from? This series focuses on a private investigation firm comprised of three ex-law-enforcement operatives (also college buddies) who’ve left the official world behind, but are committed to pursuing justice as civilians. Hence, private justice.

Where did you find your inspiration for this particular story? I’m glad you asked! Usually, I have a hard time pinpointing the specific source of inspiration for an idea. Most stories start as a tiny seed planted because of an article I read or a situation I observe or a conversation I overhear. In hindsight, I often can’t remember the triggering incident because typically it’s something insignificant that somehow got the creative juices flowing. In this case, however, I can tell you the exact moment when inspiration struck. I was driving home from church one night, when all at once a bicyclist appeared in my headlights. I swerved to avoid him—then started what-iffing. What if a woman were driving on a country road at night in a rainstorm and her headlights picked up a figure with terrified eyes standing in the middle of the road? What if she tried to avoid the figure, spun out of control—but heard a solid thump that told her she’d hit this person? What if, while dazed, a hooded figure appeared at her window, told her he’d seen the accident and to stay in her car while he checked on the person she’d hit and called 911? What if she zoned out, then came to an hour later to find no Good Samaritan, no 911, no sign of the person she’d hit? What if the police dismissed her claims for lack of evidence and she was forced to turn to a PI for help? That incident with the bicyclist, which lasted mere seconds, inspired not only Vanished, but the whole “Private Justice” series.

What kind of characters are Moira Harrison and Cal Burke? Moira, an investigative reporter, is a tenacious crusader for justice. She’s smart, brave and goes the extra mile for her stories. Cal, a former police detective, is also committed to justice. He’s detail-oriented, strong and honorable—but he’s still recovering from a traumatic loss.

Did it feel like a necessity to add a touch of romance to this detective story? Since I write romantic suspense, absolutely! I think adding a romance element to a suspense novel ups the ante and heightens the tension. Solving a case can be exciting in and of itself, but when the person you love is also in danger, the stakes go up exponentially.

You used to work for a Fortune 500 company. Does your experience in the corporate world influence your writing? Yes, in a couple of ways. First, I had a demanding corporate career that left me limited time to write, so I had to be very disciplined about my fiction work. Once I left my corporate job and began to write full time, that discipline was a great asset as my input increased and my deadlines became more aggressive. Second, my corporate career gave me the opportunity to travel quite a bit and to work with many different people. Since I handled many high-level communications duties (including speechwriting for the CEO and chairman of the board), I was often there when decisions were made by some of the most powerful Fortune 500 businesspeople in America. All of those experiences broadened my perspective and gave me a lot of insights that are helpful in plot and character development.

Christian retail stores sell a lot of fiction. How does this one stand out from the crowd? First of all, from a purely visual standpoint, this book has a unique cover for an inspirational romantic suspense novel—no people, just dynamic, gripping graphics. Plus, the plan is to print it on a silver-coated paper, which should add a striking shimmer to the rainstorm scene. Those elements alone should help it stand out on the shelf. From a content perspective, this book continues my tradition of taking readers into the head of a fully developed, complex villain. The reader is with him every step of the way and is often privy to information the hero and heroine don’t know. The depth of my approach to villains is unique in this genre, too. Finally, the plot of Vanished is very intriguing, and my hero has an interesting backstory that adds dimension to the book.

You’ve won several awards, including one of our own Retailers Choice Awards for Deadly Pursuit. Is that the icing on the cake for you? Winning awards truly is the icing on the cake—especially an award like Retailers Choice, which is voted on by some of my favorite people: booksellers! They read countless books every year, and for them to pick my book as the best contemporary romance for 2012 was an incredible honor. The award sits on the credenza behind my desk, along with my two RITA awards from Romance Writers of America and several others. On days when I wonder if a story will ever come together, they help me remember that it always works out in the end!

Read more of this Ask the Author Q&A at www.christianretailing.com/hannon.

Fashion editor Lauren Scruggs is sustained by her faith and family despite the loss of her eye and hand

TITLE: Still Lolo

AUTHOR: Lauren Scruggs

PUBLISHER: Tyndale Momentum

ISBN: 978-1-414-37669-1

PRICE: $24.99

RELEASE DATE: November

Looking at Christmas lights from a two-seater plane led to tragedy for 23-year-old Texan Lauren “Lolo” Scruggs, resulting in the loss of her left eye and hand. With New York Times best-selling author Marcus Brotherton, the Dallas Baptist University graduate and fashion editor tells how faith and family have sustained her as she fought for her life, in Still Lolo: A Spinning Propeller, a Horrific Accident, and a Family’s Journey of Hope (978-1-414-37669-1, $24.99), releasing Nov. 20 from Tyndale Momentum.

Scruggs’ tragic accident at a private airport in McKinney, Texas, nearly one year ago drew the paparazzi and worldwide media attention from outlets such as NBC’s Today Show and People magazine. But she received the support of celebrities such as Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm to a shark bite. Her Caring Bridge page saw more than 1.5 million visits as many caring people checked in on her progress and lifted her up in prayer.

Immediately following the accident Dec. 3, 2011, Scruggs underwent multiple surgeries, including brain surgery. The skilled doctors of Parkland Hospital in Dallas, famous for treating John F. Kennedy after he was shot, initially treated the young woman, stabilizing her ahead of the long, grueling journey that meant the loss of her eye and hand and ongoing therapy.

Because there were times when even strangers would come to visit her in the hospital, Scruggs had to be code-named for her own security. Surprisingly, and because of an answer to prayer, she was home in record time, just three weeks after the accident and in time for Christmas.

Still Lolo tells the story of Scrugg’s life before the accident as well. Rarely separated from her twin, Brittany, she had to learn to make the adjustment of being apart when she felt called to strike out on her own and go to the Big Apple, landing two internships in the fashion world at the Gossip Girl TV show and in the Michael Kors fashion showroom.

But the city didn’t always treat her right. After a successful first summer there, she went back—against her better judgment—and ended up going down the wrong path into drinking and dating a “player.” A serious mystery illness led her back to the safety of home and down the road of repentance.

Today with a prostethic eye and hand, Scruggs is off of pain medication. Not only has she had to deal with the trauma of her accident, but also with paying medical bills and learning what it means to be a public figure. She was surprised when a Tweet with a picture of her first vacation after the accident led to a call from NBC.

With Still Lolo—with chapters written by her mom, dad and sister as well as herself—Scruggs wants to come alongside teen girls and women who struggle with body image and insecurity. She shares her struggles with looking for love and acceptance now that she has a prosthetic hand and eye and before the accident when she was drawn to the glamour of New York’s party scene.

To order, call Tyndale House at 800-323-9400 or visit www.tyndalebooksellers.com.

Influential evangelical and best-selling author Albert Mohler sets out to recreate the Christian’s idea of leadership in The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters (978-0-764-21004-4, $22.99, hardcover), releasing this month from Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group.

“My goal is to redefine Christian leadership so that it is inseparable from passionately held beliefs, and to motivate those who are deeply committed to truth to be ready for leadership,” writes Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and hailed by TIME as “the reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.” 13

Making his case for the need for strong leaders, he observes that in the last three decades, he has seen the “emergence of a renaissance in leadership,” and states that “the deep hunger for leaders has never been more evident than now.” 12

Chapter by chapter, Mohler examines each of such 25 leadership principles such as a deep investment in Christian truth, passion to lead, decision-making and good stewardship. He introduces young, enterprising leaders to these concepts, but also talks of later-life issues such as retirement and leaving a legacy.

In the chapter on “convictional intelligence,” he emphasizes what is important and what is essential in a leader’s traits.

“Charisma is a great gift, but it cannot substitute for conviction,” writes Mohler, who goes on to cite other such gifts—personality skills, gifts of communication, media presence and organizational ability—none of which “can qualify a Christian leader when conviction is absent or weak.” 23

Seeing leadership as “the greatest intellectual challenge I can imagine,” 35 he calls leaders to understand prevalent worldviews and “shape the way their followers see the world. The leader must shape the way followers think about what is real, what is true, what is right, and what is important.” 38

A frequent radio and TV guest, and one who writes his own blog and records regular podcasts, Mohler believes in using the power of the media. He encourages leaders to wield their influence using such forms of communication, and advises them specifically on what to do when a reporter calls.

For more information, visit www.bakerpublishinggroup.com, or to order, call Baker Publishing Group Customer Service at 800-877-2665.