Medical doctor Matthew Sleeth reflects on one of the Ten Commandments American Christians seem to struggle with: “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” In 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life, he shares how his own family members were changed when they adopted Sabbath practices, and helps readers better understand how their lives can be transformed by adopting a 24/6 lifestyle in a 24/7, plugged-in world. Releasing this month from Tyndale House Publishers, the book retails for $12.99.

Best-selling author and executive director of marriage and family formation, Greg Smalley draws from research, counseling and his own marriage to show couples how to fight productively in Fight Your Way to a Better Marriage. Acknowledging that conflict can be beneficial to a relationship, Smalley shows spouses that conflict is often driven by fear, and dealing with that fear can lead to a healthier marriage. Releasing this month from Howard Books, it retails for $21.99.

Baker Publishing Group releases this month a 672-page guide to equip believers with what they need to defend and explain their faith. Apologist Norman L. Geisler offers The Big Book of Christian Apologetics: An A to Z Guide ($24.99, softcover, Baker Books), an abridged version of the Baker Encyclopedia on Christian Apologetics. This significant resource examines nearly every key issue, person and concepts related to Christian apologetics.

Lincoln’s Battle With God ($22.99, hardcover) examines the struggle president Abraham Lincoln had with his personal faith and what it meant for the nation. Releasing this month from Thomas Nelson, the Stephen Mansfield biography will hit store shelves Nov. 6 just ahead of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and prior to Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln movie release.

Releasing this month from FaithWords, Until We All Come Home ($22.99, hardcover) tells the story of Kim de Blecourt, who not only encountered some of the usual challenges when adopting a child internationally, but also endured physical assault and arrest. Having experienced a year-long struggle to adopt a young boy from Ukraine, de Blecourt now heads the Nourished Hearts ministry in support of adoption, foster care and orphan care.

Writing from personal experience in When Your Husband Is Addicted to Pornography, Vicki Tiede reminds the wife who is suffering because of her husband’s use of porn that her healing will come as she learns to fix her eyes on Jesus, not on her spouse. In the New Growth Press book, she guides readers through this healing process by focusing on six key topics: hope, surrender, trust, identity, brokenness and forgiveness. Releasing this month, the book retails for $15.99.

Karen Ehman, author and a national speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries and Hearts at Home events, offers a humorous, yet thought-provoking book for women who struggle with wanting to be in control. With biblical and contemporary examples, doable ideas, new thought patters and practical tools, Let. It. Go. How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith helps women discover the freedom of allowing God to be in control instead. Launching the week of Nov. 12, Let. It. Go. ($14.99) is available from Zondervan.

With January marking the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, author Roger Resler wades into the highly charged debate surrounding the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision in Compelling Interest: The Real Story Behind Roe v. Wade ($15.98). Drawing on original sources and conversations with experts on the subject, he considers questions such as how the court came to be involved in the abortion debate and whether language was manipulated to affect the outcome. Releasing Nov. 7 from eChristian Books, the book is available through Noble Marketing.

Latest project: Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples (David C Cook).

Multiply is based around a simple concept, making disciples, but Christians don’t always practice it. Why is that? This is why we wrote this. Think about someone rising from the dead and saying to you, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. …” That’s a huge statement! “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” A lot of people have memorized this passage, but are they actually doing it? Is it actually happening? For the most part, the answer is “no.” And the reason is that we’re all afraid. We all have insecurities. The journey of making disciples begins when I overcome that fear of man and open my mouth and share my faith. We need to work together to get rid of those fears and pray that God gives us power over those things. Then we need to actually go and do what He commanded us to do.

How did disciple-making become something you personally cared about? I grew up in church. I did the church thing for years and I didn’t totally get it. There came a point in my life where I studied the Bible on my own and I finally went, “I get this!” Reading the words for myself, I’d never heard it like that before. So I started praying to this God. The way He answers my prayers today, I could sit here all day long and tell you about answered prayer after answered prayer. My life is an absolute miracle. I know that there’s a God, allowing me to breathe right now, watching me right now. He’s forgiven me, and I know I’m going to spend eternity with Him. This is a real thing to me, and it’s not a game. There’s nothing like this. As much as I love my wife and my kids, there’s nothing compared to knowing God. It’s time for the church to quit making everything easier and easier and dumbing it down, and go back to what Christ commanded us to do, which is, “Go and make disciples.”

How can the everyday Christian get to the point where disciple-making is normal in his/her life? When the Holy Spirit enters a person, there should be some pretty serious life change. There should be a difference between a person who is dead in their trespasses and sins and a person who now has the Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead dwelling in them. He or she should have some desire to tell others about the new love in their lives and a desire for loved ones to escape His wrath. It seems like these would be natural desires for the person with a new nature. I believe that as we are making disciples, we’re really going to experience the presence of Christ with us in a fuller way and a real, tangible way. That’s why He gave us the Holy Spirit. He says, “I’m going to give you this Holy Spirit, and when He comes, you’re going to receive power to be my witnesses.” What does it mean to follow Jesus, surrender completely, and make disciples? It requires saying, “Holy Spirit, what would You like me to say today? What would You like me to do right now? I’ve surrendered to You. I’ve died to myself and I want to follow You.”

Disciple-making is not something Christians should do in isolation, is it? No. Right now in San Francisco I’m gathering with a few guys every morning to study the Word and then go share the gospel door-to-door—and it’s hard. But I’m trying to think how many times in my whole Christian life I had other believers pray for my courage and my boldness to go out and share with other people. Up until this last year, I think I could count the times that’s happened on one hand. Then we wonder, “Why am I so insecure? Why am I so afraid? Do I really believe that prayer and gathering believers together to pray over me is actually going to change something? It’s been awesome to have like-minded people in the room, encouraging one another, “Come on, let’s do this. Don’t be afraid.” We share our discouragements from the day before, pray together, study, worship. I need to be reminded to love others and to be bold. I’ve got to be reminded of who I am, that I’m forgiven, you know? We each need people to do that for us. As we pray for each other in the boldness area, I see that prayer answered. And I see it happen as we go out. There are days where it’s like, “Let’s talk to anyone,” and that’s not normal for me. That’s not something I can’t muster up.

Multiply has links to other resources. How is it more than a book? Multiply is much more than a book. David Platt and I are doing two Multiply events together this fall, and the Multiply site at www.MultiplyMovement.com has a blog, videos and other resources as well.

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

ASK THE AUTHOR
William P. Young
Latest project: Cross Roads (November).
Publisher: FaithWords.

How did the plot for Cross Roads come to you? I have lived long enough to be around and near the events of death and dying. I have been intrigued by NDE (near death experiences) and stories of people who have exited comatose states to report awareness and experiences that suggest significant events can occur inside that “thin place.” How does one explain the continuation of mindful activity even when the biological brain has ceased activity? How does one comprehend a conversation between Jesus and Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration? In The Shack, we struggle with Mackenzie who is stuck in the midst of his life. What would happen if we catch a man in-between, in this place between this earthly existence and the other? What if this man is not a likable person, fraught with the frailties so common to many of us, selfish, egotistical, willing to sacrifice relationship for control and success? How do we reach this man? Those sorts of questions along with the metaphor of a crossroads, a place of intersection where one has to stop and choose a direction, face others and witness the consequence of actions, combined to give me an imagination for the storyline. When I began working on it, I wasn’t sure it was possible, that it could work. I am thrilled with the results and I think readers will be also.

Like The Shack, Cross Roads employs nontraditional manifestations of the Trinity. How do you choose how to portray the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? The beautiful reality of imagery is that it employs word pictures, and as we all know, a good picture is worth. … Even in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, imagery is rampant and provocative. God is father, but also wind and breath, but also a mother hen who covers and protects her own, an eagle who rescues, a rock that is solid, a fortress that shields, a woman who loses a coin, a man who finds an abandoned baby girl and falls in love with her (Ezekiel, in case you were wondering). Idolatry is when one fastens upon a single image as a definition of God, and begins to assemble one’s life around that single facet. Imagery was never intended to define God, but like facets of a precious stone, each reflects the light of God’s character and the wonder of God’s nature in a way that we can perceive and sense and know. As a word-painter then, I am given freedom to express this magnificence in creative ways. God is not male or female, but all maleness and all femaleness is derived from the Beautiful One, who is a community of other-centered, self-giving love. So, part of the art is to craft metaphors and imagery that satisfies the heart, incompletely but partially, and bends the framework of our paradigms to allow for more space, more light, more love, more anger at all that damages and hurts, more beauty, more grace. The incarnation means that God fully joined our humanity. Jesus is the ultimate bridge birthed in bone and blood. I can touch and understand this man. God has found a son-language that I can comprehend. Can the Holy Spirit not come to me in a way that I can grasp, inside the wonder of a child or the honor of an elder? I think the landscape is open as we participate with the One who the creative.

Your main character, Tony, has quite a few relationship troubles. How did he get so entangled? To use language from Cross Roads, Tony is not entangled because of life, but rather because of death; not just the fear of the event of death, but the ubiquitous presence of death that we dwell within and to which we seem to willingly give ourselves. We find it so much easier to refrain from the conversation that might heal or bridge, to be right than to love, to judge the other, to be afraid of imaginations, than to embrace the person and Spirit of Jesus, who welcomes the stranger, carries the enemy’s pack, receives the outcast along with the religious. We are entangled by death. Tony’s drive for control and significance is birthed within that “beautiful mess,” beautiful because he is made in the image of God and a mess because he knows it not.

 While Tony is in a coma, he spends time in some unusual places—from a place that manifests the state of his heart to the mind of an Alzheimer’s patient. Where exactly is he in that in-between state? I don’t know exactly, that’s why I have called it the in-between. It gave me an opportunity to explore this space, the territory of the soul, if you would. How expansive do we think the human soul is? I like to think that it is an expanding universe barely understood, but exploding outward. I have lived with Kim, my wife, for 33 years. How little do I comprehend the depth and breadth of her soul, but I get to witness and learn and wonder. So for Tony, my question was: What if Tony was given the invitation to explore not only his own soul, but also the soul of another? How would that impact him or effect change? A worthy investigation, at least from my point of view.

C.S. Lewis makes an appearance in the story. Why did you choose “Jack” as a key figure? Many readers will not understand that Jack is indeed C.S. Lewis, at least not without a little work. Introducing him into the story was actually the suggestion of Baxter Kruger, the author of The Shack Revisited. It was one of those playful ideas that took root and grew. Through his mother, Tony was introduced as a child to some of this man’s work, and like a seed planted but ignored, it simply waited for the right conditions to spring to life. Jack gave me a character to “play” with as well as hint at the significant role that authors, teachers, artists, musicians, friends and family have in the formation of our lives. It was also a way for me to give a nod to this brilliant brother, who has astounded me, given me hours of wonder and slipped into some of the precious places of my own soul. 

How do you cultivate your imagination from which spring stories like The Shack and Cross Roads? Good question. I think that being around good stories helps to cultivate the imagination, whether you are listening to another who is a story, or reading or watching, etc. A good story may be shocking, or odd at first glance, or completely other than the expected, but will contain the ring of truth and longing and humanity and meaning. Learning to ask questions and doing so with openness is vital, along with the permission to imagine and explore. Being comfortable with silence and friends with imagination itself.  

First printing for this book is 1 million copies. What do you have to say about such a significant first print run? That is so cool, don’t you think? The first real printing of The Shack was 10,000 copies, and we were told that usually means 8,000 in your garage after two years. Frankly, my first printing of 15 copies at Office Depot accomplished everything that I wanted it to do, so this sort of thing just makes me grin and shake my head. Don’t confuse me with someone who actually knows what they are doing. My gift is quite narrow, and I am so grateful that others know what they are doing.

How might Christian retailers best present this book to their customers? Read it yourself, and then you will know how best to present Cross Roads. While The Shack and Cross Roads come from the same parent, I find it rather difficult to compare one child with another. However, when you meet either one, you will recognize the family resemblance and the more time you spend with either, you will understand their distinctive natures. So fun!

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

‘The Mark’ ‘creatively weaves’ in revelation predictions of the tribulation

With 15-plus years experience in the entertainment industry, James Chankin is literally hoping to leave the mark with his latest project.

Producer and director on 60-plus projects, including movies, live concerts, one-man shows, television series, commercials and documentaries, Chankin directed The Mark (8-57533-00304-2, $19.99), which released last month and is distributed by Pure Flix Entertainment.

“I was excited to work on a project that is a broad, human-interest action-adventure story, and one that we could creatively weave in the revelation predictions of the tribulation into the storyline,” he told Christian Retailing. “The Mark is a film that can appeal to the masses, and getting this message out is very important.”

The 98-minute movie is described as “an ordinary overseas flight [that] turns into an extraordinary mid-air battle between the forces of good and evil.” On a flight from Bangkok to Berlin, Chad Turner (Craig Sheffer, A River Runs Through It), a former soldier who has abandoned his faith, carries hope for the world—a biometric microchip implanted in his arm that is capable of revolutionizing global trade.

Turner is accompanied by Dan Cooper (Eric Roberts, The Dark Knight), head of the Avanti Corporation, inventors of the new technology. Also on the flight is a group of mercenaries, led by Joseph Pike (Gary Daniels, The Expendables), with plans of hijacking the plane and stealing the microchip for the group’s leader, Philypp Turk (Ivan Kamaras). But in the midst of a catastrophic worldwide event, the true nature of the chip is viewed as civilization’s salvation or a powerful weapon to be used for evil.

“This is a story of choice, and if you do not have a chance to choose, what would you do?” Chankin said. “The Mark has a cast of seasoned actors that present the story in a realistic and suspenseful manner. The action, cast and even the [DVD] cover should grab the attention of consumers.”

The Mark joins the ranks of end-times Christian movies such as the “Left Behind” film series, Revelation: The Book Has Been Opened and In The Blink of an Eye.

“I believe a film like The Mark is an incredible tool to introduce those with questions and doubts that God really exists, without truly having to ask the questions out loud,” said Chankin, who produced the faith-based films Jerusalem Countdown and Christmas With a Capital C. “It’s a perfect way to create a self discovery of the truth in a non-threatening manner.”

For more information, go to www.pureflix.com or call 480-991-2258. Order through Send The Light Distribution at 800-289-2772, New Day Christian Distributors at 800-251-3633 or Anchor Distributors at 800-444-4484.

True story of compassion inspires Christmas film

It takes an entire community to make a little boy’s dreams come true in The Heart of Christmas (0-14381-76432-1, $27.97), a heartbreaking yet hopeful film about a family faced with losing a child, giving him one last Christmas in October.

The movie was inspired by the song “One Last Christmas,” written and recorded by singer-songwriter Matthew West who was moved by a true story he received in a letter.

In 2010, West asked his fans to send him their inspiring true stories so he could turn those stories into songs. Among the thousands of submissions he received, there were three separate letters about the Locke family and the community that came together to support them.

“I never thought the song would be made into a movie,” said West, who was nominated this year for a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Original Music and Lyrics for the song.

The Heart of Christmas tells the inspirational story of 2-year-old Dax Locke, whose struggle with Leukemia sparked a worldwide outpouring of support for his family. Despite treatment, the doctors tell Dax’s parents, Austin and Julie Locke, that he will not live to see Christmas Day.

Driven by their faith and determined to give their son one last Christmas, the couple decides to decorate early and celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The Heart of Christmas’ cast includes Candace Cameron Bure (Make It or Break It, Full House), Jeanne Nielson (Faith Like Potatoes), George Newbern (Father of the Bride), Erin Bethea (Fireproof) and West, who is featured in his first film.

Making its debut on GMC in December 2011, the film attracted more than 3.6 million viewers, making it the highest-rated, world-premiere movie in the history of the television network. The Heart of Christmas was released last month by Image Entertainment and is distributed by EMI CMG Distribution.

For more information or to order the 89-minute DVD, go www.emicmgdistribution.com or call 800-877-4443.

Airship-sized answers: In the latest from Phil Vischer’s “What’s in the Bible?” series, Clive & Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge 1, sets sail through the skies to answer six “really big questions about God.” Questions like “Is God as powerful as a superhero?” and “Does God tell the truth?” are answered in a way that’s fun and easy for the whole family to understand. Released last month by Jellyfish Labs and distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, the 45-minute video retails for $12.99.

A yuletide miracle? The first Christmas story inspired by the popular “Love Comes Softly” series by Janette Oke (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group), Love’s Christmas Journey tells the story of Ellie Davis (Natalie Hall), who seeks peace and healing at her brother Aaron’s (Greg Vaughn) house after her husband dies. After a suspicious fire, Ellie finds herself playing detective to clear the name of a good friend with help from a deputy (Dylan Bruce). She must trust her faith to bring a miracle at Christmas. Released by Fox Faith last month, the film retails for $22.99 and is distributed by Provident Distribution.

A child’s faith: Christina Dawn Fougnie (1 Message, The Perfect Gift) plays title character Clancy, an 11-year-old girl whose grandmother pours love and faith into, seeking to counter her home situation. Despite living with an abusive and addicted mother, that faith not only stays alive in Clancy, but helps to bring a spiritually dead, homeless war veteran back to life. Produced by Kelly’s Filmworks and distributed by EchoLight Studios, the 118-minute Clancy, which retails for $19.98, was released last month.

The real meaning of Christmas: An uplifting holiday story from the late Thomas Kinkade, Christmas Miracle shows the real meaning of the season—kindness, understanding and love. Due to an unforeseen road closure, eight strangers are forced to take refuge in an abandoned church during a snowstorm. They learn from one another how to manage through various personal dilemmas, working together to see miracles happen. Released last month by GT Media and distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, the 92-minute, Dove Foundation-approved film retails for $14.99

Comfort and hope: When a magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes Haiti in 2010, leaving more than 300,000 dead in its wake, emergency teams jump into action. Rescue chronicles the odyssey of military and civilian responders, captured with unprecedented scale and impact, to provide comfort and hope. Releasing this month, the 46-minute documentary retails for $19.98 and is distributed by Image Entertainment.

To love again: In Christmas Comes Home to Canaan, Daniel Burton (Billy Ray Cyrus) learns to love again when he meets Briony Adair (Gina Holden), the rehabilitation specialist treating his son, and invites her to spend Christmas with his family. The sequel to the Hallmark Channel’s highest-rate film of 2009, Christmas in Canaan, the movie was released last month by GT Media and is distributed by EMI CMG Distribution. The 88-minute, Dove-approved film retails for $14.99.

Never lost: No Lost Cause tells the story of Beth Ann Collins, a pretty young woman who is tragically paralyzed after being hit by a drunk driver—forcing her to live with her estranged father, Billy. Doctors give her little hope of recovery, but Billy refuses to give up on her, enlisting the help of youth at his church who befriend Beth Ann. Released last month, the 103-minute film retails for $14.99 and is distributed by Destiny Image Films.