Free/Bargain Christian Interest, January 2014

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Two free from publisher David C. Cook:

Letters from a Skeptic: A Son Wrestles with His Father's Questions about Christianity by Dr. Gregory A. Boyd and Edward Boyd
Publisher page

Greg Boyd and his father, Ed, were on opposite sides of a great divide. Greg was a newfound Christian, while his father was a longtime agnostic. So Greg offered his father an invitation: Ed could write with any questions on Christianity, and his son would offer a response.

Letters from a Skeptic contains this special correspondence. The letters tackle some of today's toughest challenges facing Christianity, including

Do all non-Christians go to hell?
How can we believe a man rose from the dead?
Why is the world so full of suffering?
How do we know the Bible was divinely inspired?
Does God know the future?

Each response offers insights into the big questions, while delivering intelligent answers that connect with both the heart and mind. Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or just unsure, these letters can provide a practical, common-sense guide to the Christian faith.

Speaking Truth in Love: Counsel in Community by David Powlison
Publisher page

You probably speak 20,000 words a day, give or take, and each one influences those who listen. No wonder God has so much to say about our words. We are all counselors, whether we realize it or not!

Speaking Truth in Love is a blueprint for communication that strengthens community in Christ. The principles outlined in this pivotal work are specific to counseling, yet extend to marriage, family, friendship, business, and the church.

Have you ever wondered how to be a more effective counselor?
Have you ever looked for a better way to talk to difficult people?
Have you ever wanted to express faith and love more naturally in your relationships?

Practical in its approach yet comprehensive in its scope, Speaking Truth in Love is sure to become required reading for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a counselor or anyone else who longs for ways to redeem relationships.

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Love amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews is free today.
B&N Amazon

When her beloved grandfather Isaac dies, Dinah must follow his final command: travel to Job's household to marry his son. After Job's world comes crashing down, Dinah finds herself drawn to this great man brought low. What will she risk to fight for his survival?

Mesu Andrews weaves an emotional and stirring account of Job and Dinah. Love Amid the Ashes breathes life, romance, and passion into the classic biblical story of suffering and steadfast faith.

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If you enjoy reading Philip Yancey, Zondervan has put a stack of his books on sale. The sale page has "Buy Now" links that go to the various ebook stores.

Freedom Fighter: One Man's Fight for One Free World by Majed El Shafie is free at B&N and Amazon.

It’s time to fight back!

This is the true story of one man’s continuing fight for a world free of religious persecution. Majed El Shafie was arrested, tortured, and sentenced to die after he converted from Islam to Christianity. His dramatic story, and those of others worldwide who are suffering persecution, are told in shocking, yet sensitive detail. Especially startling is the true story of rescuing a very young Pakistani girl who experienced horrific sexual abuse—because her family would not convert to Islam. Although hard to imagine and even harder to accept, this important truth about religious persecution is blatantly exposed. Millions of families are praying for help. They are suffering daily in China, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, and many other countries—solely because of their beliefs. Freedom Fighter is Reverend El Shafie’s outreach—it follows his heroic work over a four-year period as he traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan to investigate claims of abuse, persecution, and slavery and to speak truth to governments that neglect and violate the human rights of their citizens. This fight involves all believers—please help.

[pietvo]

Free: Divine Intention: How God's Work in the Early Church Empowers Us Today, by Larry Shallenberger.

Amazon US

Epub

[wawasteele]

'Tween Girls and God - NEW BEGINNINGS!, a "downloadable magazine" is free at Amazon.

Tween Girls and God is a faith-based, weekly downloadable magazine for girls 9 to 12 years old and is designed to encourage “tweens” in their walks with Christ. Each month has its own theme and content will include devotionals, short stories, themed articles, activities, Godly advice and more.

The theme for the month of January is New Beginnings.

This week:
Find out why the Wise Men returned home a different way
Read a short story that makes a point
Make fire-starters out of pine cones and a set of plaques that remind us about the first beginning
read a new author in TGG
Challenge yourself to become a contributor to our magazine!

There is a lot of fun in our pages, but a lot of learning and worship, too! Join us!

'Tween Girls and God is always free for 5 of its first 6 days of publication. This week's issue is free from 1/14/2014 - 1/18/2014. Please grab a copy then and feel free to share with a friend!

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What Did Jesus Really Mean When He Said Follow Me? by David Platt is free at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

You may think you are a Christian—but are you sure? Jesus’ call to follow him is more than an invitation to pray a prayer. It is a summons to lose your life and find new life and ultimate joy in him. In David Platt’s book Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live he asks the question, “What did Jesus really mean when he said, ‘Follow me’?” What if we really listened to Jesus’ words and heard what he is saying? When people truly engage with Jesus’ personal invitation to follow him, everything changes, for he is worthy of all our trust and affections.

What Did Jesus Really Mean When He Said Follow Me? builds on the message of Follow Me to motivate readers to experience our grand purpose: to exalt the glory of God by spreading Christ’s gospel—to make disciples who are making disciples. This booklet is a great resource to share with others to discuss crucial faith questions in a personal and grace-filled manner and engage others to be disciple-makers in obedience to Jesus. Ideal for small groups or personal and mass evangelism.

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Freebies:

Little Black Sheep by Ashley Cleveland
Publisher page

This powerful memoir from Grammy Award winner Ashley Cleveland reminds us that even in the lowest times of our lives, beauty can shine through.

As a young woman from a deeply flawed family, Ashley had little hope she would amount to anything. If there was trouble, near or far, she found it. Yet, in her destructive days of drugs, alcohol, and sex, she encountered a forgiving God who was relentlessly faithful.

Change did not come quickly. The brokenness did not disappear. But little by little, Ashley allowed God to heal her, to transform her desires, to bring courage to others through her journey. Little by little, she saw that it was her brokenness itself that God wanted to use.

This beautifully told story will take you from the back rooms of Nashville to the churches of the San Francisco Bay area to a tender new life where one woman discovers that God can work in broken places.

What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care? by Edward T. Welch
Publisher page

Peer pressure, codependency, shame, low self-esteem; these are just some of the words used to identify how people are controlled by others' opinions. Why is it so important to be liked? Why is rejection so traumatic?

Edward T. Welch's insightful, biblical answers to these questions show that freedom from others' opinions and genuine, loving relationships grow as we learn about ourselves, others, and God. This interactive book includes questions for individual or group study and is suitable for teenagers and young adults.

Held Hostage: A Serial Bank Robber's Road to Redemption by Ken Cooper
B&N Amazon

With a vivid, you-are-there style, this former gentleman bank robber takes readers on a journey through years of armed robberies, the dramatic shooting that ended his career, the horrors of prison, and a soul ultimately finding peace. Without fear or embellishment, Cooper openly shares the darkest moments in his life. Yet in these moments he finally meets God and ends up becoming a bright light in a horrendous prison system. From adrenaline-pumping true-life crime to an experience of God's gentle love, readers won't be able to put down this gripping memoir of transformation and God's grace.

And in case anyone didn't see it, eChristian.com is going out of business at the end of January. It sounds like they're completely pulling up stakes and books will no longer be available for download as of February 1. If you have a library at their store, now would be a good time to make sure everything is downloaded and pay a visit to Apprentice Alf.

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Kisses From a Good God: A Journey Through Cancer by Paul Manwaring is free at B&N and Amazon.

Redefining victory through the eyes of a cancer survivor! Author Paul Manwaring was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2008. Kisses from a Good God recounts his journey from the first diagnosis, through the prayers of believing friends and family, his choice to undergo surgery, and to his ultimate healing victory. Kisses from a Good God provides encouragement and challenges some commonly held beliefs. He removes shame from those who have been healed by the hands of doctors and surgeons rather than through prayer. Instead of simply encouraging you with practical, biblical truths, a clear line is drawn between faith and religion—and redefines victory through the eyes of a cancer survivor saved by God in the form of modern medicine. If you are now walking or have walked through a life-threatening illness or circumstance, or if you have watched a loved one endure, Kisses from a Good God relieves your body, soul, mind, and spirit of tons of unnecessary pressures and pain.

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Freebies:

Church Zero: Raising 1st Century Churches out of the Ashes of the 21st Century Church by Peyton Jones
Publisher page

With a fresh perspective forged in the dirty trenches of international post-Christian societies, Peyton Jones pulls no punches as he brings this message to the American Church: We have lost our way.

The church is losing ground fast: losing the generation under age 30 and drawing few nonbelievers toward Christ.

Christ gave us a leadership model for commando outreach, and the church has ignored it for too long. Will we continue down the path of self-preservation, defending our stalled church structures? Or will we follow the blueprint Jesus lays out?

Church Zero challenges readers to once again become a radical, dangerous people who cannot be ignored. It’s time to break out!

Gifts of Gold by Betty Huizenga
Publisher page

Betty Huizenga, author and founder of Apples of Gold, says “Mentoring is really nurturing—sharing ideas from life lessons and passing on wisdom, ideas, and truth from God from one generation to the next. It is a forgotten art—one that we have neglected and, in the process, we have lost the joy and sheer fun of days gone by.”

At the heart of Apples of Gold is the desire to touch the lives of women, young and old, by reviving the art of older women nurturing younger women. In Gifts of Gold, Betty encourages and instructs the wonderful ‘golden women’ who have answered God’s call to be mentors. Wondering if you were meant to mentor? Answer these questions for yourself:

• Can you be a friend?
• Can you listen?
• Can you share what Christ has done in your life?
• Do you care about the needs of other women?
• Do you have a tender heart toward God and others?

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Freebies:

Romancing the Divine: A Story about True Love by Don Nori Sr.
B&N Amazon

A LOVE STORY THAT SOUNDS JUST LIKE YOURS

You may think you are the only one, but nearly everyone wonders about God's love for them. This story is a tale that could be your own. It is a passionate and personal fictional allegory about one person's search for Divine acceptance and love.

Romancing the Divine is everyone's struggle with weakness and inadequacies while longing to know they were born with a purpose. The Traveler grapples with attempting to understand Divine destiny while trying to gain the favor of the One who created him. He is looking for true love.

Don Nori, pastor, publisher and author of eight books, weaves an exceptional story that will show you the power of God's love and extent that He will go to in order for you to accept His love and His dream for you.

This allegory will help you to see yourself as God sees you; to understand the limitless nature of His grace; to trust Him in your most private doubts; and to believe that what He says about you is true.

The world is yet to see what can happen through a person who knows he is truly forgiven.

The Sacred Cipher: A Novel by Terry Brennan
B&N Amazon

History's greatest secret could be tomorrow's greatest threat

More historically and biblically accurate than The DaVinci Code and just as adventurous as an Indiana Jones movie, The Sacred Cipher combines action and mystery to draw readers into a world of ancient secrets and international escapades.

When an ancient scroll appears in a secret room of the Bowery Mission in New York City, Tom Bohannon is both stunned and intrigued. The enigma of the scroll's contents will send Bohannon and his team ricocheting around the world, drawing the heat of both Jewish and Muslim militaries, and bringing the Middle East to the brink of nuclear war in this heart-pounding adventure of historical proportions. The Sacred Cipher is a riveting, fact-based tale of mystery and suspense.

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Simple Ways to Reach Out to Muslims (Ebook Shorts) by Carl Medearis is free at B&N and Amazon.

A New Perspective on Reaching Out to Muslims

Despite growing numbers of Muslims and Christians living or working next to each other, major barriers remain. Not only do mistrust and fear get in the way, but so do misunderstandings. It doesn't have to be this way, however.

Carl Medearis provides new insights into the top questions people have about Muslims, Muhammad, and Islam. With practical information and fascinating stories, he shares culturally sensitive ways for Christians to get to know Muslims on a personal level. You will learn:

How Islam's "Pillars of Faith" are lived out in today's world
What the Qur'an says about women
What Muslims think about the Bible and Jesus
How to bring up spiritual matters in conversations
And much more

Rather than focusing initially on the differences between Islam and Christianity, Medearis shows how common ground is the best foundation for friendships and for hearts turning to Jesus.

[koland]

echristian.com is closing.

details if anyone is interested: http://echristian.com/store-closing

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Who is Jesus . . . Really?: A Dialogue on God, Man, and Grace by Josh McDowell and Dave Sterrett is free at B&N and Amazon.

The Coffee House Chronicles are short, easily devoured novellas aimed at answering prevalent spiritual questions. Each book in the series tackles a long-contested question of the faith, and then answer these questions with truth through relationships and dialogue in each story.

In Who is Jesus, Really?: A Dialogue on God, Man, and Grace, the group of students now meeting at the coffee house at a college town in Texas come face-to-face with the implications of the person and works of Jesus Christ. Their questions and conversations lead them to creatively respond to a well-known Atheist about Jesus' claims and actions. The other two books in the series: Is the Bible True, Really? and Did the Resurrection Happen, Really? continue the unfolding story at the college campus and the coffee house down the road.

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New freebies:

The Heart of a Leader by Ken Blanchard
Publisher page

Arranged with your busy schedule in mind, this book offers you Blanchard's most important concepts in an accessible format. You can reach for instant motivation and insight on a daily basis or soak it up in one reading. Powerfully challenging and deeply inspiring, The Heart of a Leader will enable you to develop the courageous heart of a true leader, master key attitudes and actions to impact lives around you, and enjoy the profound wisdom that only Ken Blanchard can deliver.

When Your Husband Is Addicted to Pornography: Healing Your Wounded Heart by Vicki Tiede
Publisher page

When your husband's addiction to pornography leaves you shattered, betrayed, and alone, where do you turn? Who do you turn to? Vicki Tiede, writing from personal experience, gently guides women toward God and away from despair. Through daily readings and questions on six important topics: hope, surrender, trust, identity, brokenness, and forgiveness, you will grow in healing and hope.

The Brotherhood Conspiracy: A Novel by Terry Brennan
B&N Amazon

Tom Bohannon's discovery of an ancient scroll led him on an international adventure and through mysteries of faith and politics, ending in a place not even he could imagine: the Third Temple of God hidden under Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  But soon after his remarkable discovery, the future of the world changed again.  Tom watched as a chasm tore apart Temple Mount, as new rivers swept through the Kidron Valley and into the streets of Old Jerusalem, their discovery swallowed by an earthquake, crushed under tons of stone and debris.  A biblical prophecy realized.  The final days were upon them.

Wondering how to recover from such a momentous find and such horrendous destruction, Tom's adventures are not over. No one knows how much time is left in these last days—a year? A hundred years? A thousand? Plagued by murderous dreams, Tom fears members of the Prophet Guard—killers who wear the Coptic cross with a lightning bolt slashing through it—are back and looking for him.  But they are not the only threat to Tom and his team.  Forces behind the Arab Spring have sinister plans.  And underestimating their determination would be a fatal mistake.

The same fast-paced, page-turning prose that readers loved in The Sacred Cipher is back in Terry Brennan's eagerly awaited sequel, The Brotherhood Conspiracy.

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That's a Great Question: What to Say When Your Faith Is Questioned by Glenn Pearson is free again at the major retailers.
Publisher page

Is the Bible really true? How can I prove it? This book is especially helpful for newer Christians just coming to grips with the implications of the gospel in all areas of their lives.

What do you say when someone at work asks you why the gospel stories differ? How do you answer your neighbor when she asks what you think about all those "errors" in the Bible? Glenn Pearson offers simple, accessible principles that provide any Christian with the tools he or she needs to confidently respond to skeptical inquiries.