Christian Books

This book is excellent guidance on how to communcate effectively with your son, yet also applicable to other family members. John's brillantly grounded approach works. He provides tools to break the cycle of frustrating circular arguments and reoccuring confrontations, which quite frankly, works with anyone. I've circulated the book amongst friends here in England, France and the States and the feedback has been the same, "can I keep this copy for future reference?".

I was hooked right away reading John's descriptions of boys who were so similar to our son. I was so encouraged that someone could see our problems and provide a reasonable plan to help us reconnect.

John identifies 6 ways that we parents repel our sons - Reacting, Micromanaging, Lecturing, Moralizing, Reiterating and Threatening - and then outlines what to do instead.

He provides a couple of invaluable tools: 1. Speaking to your son in a 90 second window, and 2. Using shoulder-to-shoulder communication. Both of these tools maintain connection and avoid your son's withdrawal.

John says at the end of every chapter, "And then the chase is on." It's chokes me up each time I read it and realize that all of the time, effort and resources spent are all worth it for the sake of my son.

Miraculously John Davis came into our lives during our son's and our family's power struggles in high school.
We learned and grew because of John's strength, wisdom and love. We are forever grateful and recommend ANYONE who knows a teenage boy to read this book and follow it.
There you will find your heart and your son can be the man he strives to be...noble, tender, worthy.
Mandy Vogel
Baltimore, MD.

As a single mother of a teenage boy, I was deeply moved by the empowerment of this incredible book. Author John Davis reveals the struggles and adversity his young clients have faced and the victory each of them have worked so hard to achieve! His vision and dedication to working with young men is inspiring. This book provides essential tools for every parent dedicated to developing the character of their sons (even daughters!) as well as guiding you through the process of overcoming the "very real" challenges our sons face in today's society (drugs, alcohol, sex, anger, peer pressure). John Davis is an authentic writer ~ his book is poignant, emotional, uplifting, raw, and very direct in teaching parents what to look for when there is a breakdown, either physically, emotionally or in communicating with your son. After reading this book, I have a clearer understanding in knowing how to "reach" the heart of my son and the best way to respond when challenges arise! John Davis has given all of us an incredible resource!! I have no doubt "Extreme Pursuit: Winning the Race for the Heart of Your Son" will be the marker in which all other parenting / relational books will be compared!

I'm a 23 year old student at Seattle Pacific University, I'm healthy, active, emotionally intelligent, and I have a wonderful relationship with my parents. I'm not bragging, I promise, it's just that I didn't always have these skills. This is a sincere thanks to John Davis for being a key player in my life when I was at vulnerable ages and places. You see, I'm a graduate of John's 2Xtreme counseling program. What this means is that much of who I am and many of the skills I've acquired, came directly from my relationship with John Davis. When I was struggling with finding healthy ways to connect with my family as a teenager, John and I were hammering out concrete ways for me to talk with my mom and dad. When I started making bad decisions in high school, John and I went to work on those issues. I was blessed with a friend who walked through the pain with me, and mentored me back to a place where I could start making positive changes in my life. This is the most concise testimony I can make about John's work. There's so much more that is needed to do the man justice, so here's my email address: aldrin@spu.edu I feel so strongly about furthering the message of John's work that I will gladly return questions from parents.
While reading Extreme Pursuit I was taken back to the office where we used to do our sessions. I was taken back to the literal cliffs that we rappelled from together. I was taken back to the Andes that John and I actually climbed together in the summer of 2003. I was taken back to the times when John and I had nothing else to say, so we just cried instead. And I'm not ashamed to say it. I'm also not ashamed to say that when I saw my name in John's book, I was giddy like a school girl. I'm seriously passionate about this message because it's a manual full of tools and advice that literally changed my life, and in no small measure. Know that this book is not a quick fix for you and your son. It never is with kids like us. This is an opportunity for you parents to crawl down into the adventurous and sometimes painful adolescent years that are so poignant in a boy's life. Trust me, your son wants to be your friend. He wants to make you proud of the young man he's becoming. The wealth of knowledge I find in Extreme Pursuit can help foster the relationships that are most important to you, and to your son.

And boy, do we get to know it! This is a prequel to beat all prequels. It's almost twice as long as any of the other Dragons in Our Midst books, with more story!

Despite the huge page-count, I whipped through the book with hardly any pause except to do the essentials (Read: "The things my parents told me to do!"). This book is deep, deep, deep. No other way to put it.

I love how Bryan Davis can take Biblical events and tie them to a wonderful story, without making them sound too preachy. He keeps the characters three dimensional, maybe even bordering on a fourth dimension.

Tolkien wrote the Silmarillion to expand his Lord of the Rings, and now Bryan Davis has written Eye of the Oracle for Dragons in Our Midst fans. You can't get much better than that.

Final note: I highly recommend that you read the Dragons in Our Midst series first. This book will be understood better, and you won't spoil the other series by reading the sum-up at the end of Eye of the Oracle.

Eye of the Oracle is a great book! It clears up the many mysteries of Dragons in our Midst...as the action rages from the flood to the present, every DIOM fan will love this book.

What happened to Dragons? Did they get destroyed in the flood? Were they killed naturally or were they destroyed over time by men. Did they exist in Biblical times and if so what did they do? All these questions and more are answered in this book. How did King Arthur get Excalibur? Was Merlin a Magical being or was he a renowned Christian. Find all the answers in this book.

I really enjoyed Eye of the Oracle!
The story starts from the day's of Noah to modern day.
After only a couple of days, I had finished this book!
Any fantasy lover will love this book!

-Lindsay W.

Bryan Davis has created a masterpiece that readers of all ages can enjoy. The book is very unique in the fact that it combines fantasy and Biblical events. Everything fits together so neatly that you wonder 'Is this actually real?' The intriguing plot is so lovely in its complexity. I love the spirituality in this book...I actually learned new things about the Bible that I had never known before! I have read this book countless times, it never gets old. Every time I read it again I catch something in the plot that I had not noticed during previous readings. This book is flawless, it should be read by everyone.

It is an amazing look at the cohesiveness of the Old Testament and the New Testament. Well-written, and scholarly, yet easy to read.

This book was recommended by Beth Moore in several of her Women's Bible
studies. It gives detailed information about Jewish celebrations which
lend a rich perspective to one's understanding of the Bible.

This book is one of my favorites, as far as learning more about customs of the people in the Old Testament. When you are done reading this book you will have more understanding of the people and of scripture. If you are a pastor or sunday school teacher or a homechurch, get this book.This is one book you will go back to a hundred times.

This book is foundational to the Christian faith and really should be soomething every pastor should be teaching on. It gives clear and Biblical descriptions of the feasts of the Lord, which is God's calendar, and why he set up the calendar and chose these particular feasts to be celebrated. It also explains awesome little details of Jewish customs at the time of Christ that make things like the Passover so interesting. You get to see how all the pieces of the puzzle come together. The best part is how it describes Jesus as the fulfillment of thress of the feasts and that those feasts that are yet unfulfilled will be completed in the future......very cool!

This book is one of my absolute favorites! Not only is the information within EXTREMELY well written, there are many photographs and the artwork is among the best I've ever seen.

There are overviews of the Spring Feasts and the Fall Feasts and an explanation of Jewish Time, broken down into the Jewish Day,Week and Month. There are chapters on The Feasts Of Leviticus 23 (the 7 feasts) as well as Additional Observances.

Each of the Feasts are covered in DETAIL, with wonderful illustrations, charts and artwork.

Even if you never read a word of this book (which would be a shame, because it is so very informative) you will be blown away by the artwork and the photography. There is a two page spread on The Passover Table which shows each item with an explanation, which is worth the price of the book alone!

Each Feast is covered with THE BIBLICAL OBSERVANCE and also the MODERN OBSERVANCE, and each ceremony is explained in interesting, never boring detail. The illustrations and photographs draw you in and you really start to "get it."

I am so thankful I purchased this book. It is one of my favorites and one which I refer to often. It is well worth the price and you won't regret your purchase.

I enjoy historical fiction, especially that of the Civil War era, and was not disappointed by Lynn Austin's tale of drama and romance during the 1860s. The characters Julia and Phoebe are human and likeable, and most importantly, believable. I could not put this novel down, and bought it soon afterwards in a complete set (with books one and three). It was well worth it and highly recommended.

If you only have money for one book from this series, I would recommend this one. It is definitely the better of the three stories.

I never had read historical fiction regarding the civil war before this book. This was such an interesting book, and so full of information. I loved the characters. It was really neat to see how some of the women of the time helped in the war. Men made many sacrifices during this war, but so did the women. You will not be disappointed in this book if you love the civil war era. I accidentally got this one first over the first book in the series (Candle in the Darkness), I liked this one much better.

I couldn't put it down and read it in 2 days! I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a great book.

This book was better than the first one, I enjoyed reading it very much! I really liked how Julia's character developed and Phoebe was such a likeable character. Lynn Austin is a great writer, she really knows how to keep your interest. Highly recommend this book!

Great intro to the concept of home education with a heavy emphasis on the Charlotte Mason method. I re-read this little treasure regularly to keep myself on track. Loving books as much as I do tempts me to compile quite a list of Books We Must Have for School. The CM way of thinking ensures I stick only with the best, the essentials. I highly recommend it!

I first read this book because it was written by Susan, one of Francis and Edith Schaeffer's daughters. Little did I know that it would become the foundational book to becoming a homeschool parent when I decided to take my youngest child out of the public schools.

One doesn't need to be homeschooling their children to appreciate this book. Susan writes in the same warm and friendly way as her mother. However, if one is homeschooling and using the Charlotte Mason "method", this book is an essential volume to have in your library.

If you're a Charlotte Mason fan, you can't pass this one up. It is my favorite book on Charlotte Mason & is full of wonderful parenting advice. Really, all parents are teachers, not just homeschooling parents. This book offers great insight for all who spend time caring for children.

As one preparing to homeschool, this book was this kind of thing that has been spurring me on to ponder, philosophize and dream about both the general approach I will take, and the beginnings of many specific ideas.

For those who are disenchanted with the high pressure standardized-testing mentality prevalent in classrooms today, this book explains the educational philosphy of Charlotte Mason. It is God-focused (Susan is the daughter of Christian apologtic Francis Shaeffer), natural, and relaxed. It is a must-read for any classroom teacher, homeschool parent, or school administrator.

Claire Conway has finally made a life for herself twelve years after being divorced. After years of hardship she has a job she loves, a comfortable home, and a man who is interested in her. Although she has mixed feelings when her son, Dakota announces he is engaged, she is anxious to meet his fiancee, Sara Jennings, a woman seven years her son's elder.

Claire welcomes Sara into her home but when Sara spies a photograph a nightmare begins. For Claire and Sara discover that Sara was the "other woman" who broke up Claire's marriage. Claire had only seen her once and didn't know her name; at his mother's urging due to the intense bitterness she has for his father, Dakota had legally changed his first name to his middle name and his last name to Claire's maiden name so Sara had no clue Dakota was related to her former lover, Dave Porter.

Even though Sara had broken up with Dave as soon as she discovered he was married, the damage was already done. She felt used and was reluctant to give her heart to any man, dropping out of college and moving to Denver, away from the memories.

Twelve years later, Sara completes her degree and moves home to Boise. Dakota has known her family for some time as they go to his church. Claire doesn't share Dakota's Christian beliefs and, in fact, is kind of embarrassed by them. She continues to believe that the break-up of her marriage was the worse thing in her life and has admonished Dakota to never speak of his father -- a promise he has kept to his mother.

Can Dakota and Sara's relationship survive the revelation that she had an affair with his father? Will Claire be able to overcome her hatred? Will any of these people find the happiness they deserve?

Robin Lee Hatcher makes the move from historical romance to Christian contemporary romance with this inspirational story of love and forgiveness that readers will find difficult to put down once they've started. It is difficult to put into words just how powerful this story is. Suffice to say it will be a keeper. Readers will want to buy one for themselves and others for gifts for others. Brava, Ms. Hatcher!

After hearing the author speak at a conference, I knew I had to read this book. What I didn't know was how deeply and profoundly it would affect me. This is truly a book of the heart--and the Spirit. If you love Francine Rivers, don't pass this book by. Hey, don't pass it by regardless. It's a keeper.

This was a "read in one sitting" kind of book for me...it was uplifting and encouraging and left me feeling blessed....would highly recommend this book as a very inspirational one full of hope and truth.

I love a book that beats the passion of the author's heart. The Forgiving Hour is such a novel. Robin Lee Hatcher has a way of reaching down into the reader's soul. This book tells a tale of a forgiving grace that stems straight from the heart of Jesus Christ. You won't be disappointed. Lisa Samson, author of The Church Ladies.

Of the books I've read in the Christian fiction genre, this is one of the best. I was utterly impressed with the author's ability to write a STORY...something many authors are missing in this time. I love the slight hint of suspense, the inspiring words, the real emotions/reactions, and he overall healing that each character experienced. There weren't too many plots in this one, but the stories were wover together with great care.

I appreciate this author's style--I stepped out on a limb with this one and I wanted to stay there after I'd finished. Pick this one up soon!!!

Incredible book! If you have any interest in ministry on a college campus this book is an absolute must have. I have read it several times and each time it motivates me and teaches me.

This book is fantastic for college students, campus staff, or anyone who wants to lead a missional life! It is perfect for a small group!

If you are looking to get stirred up for, and getting some great practicals for implimenting a effective college ministry on your campus or in your town read this book. You will go through past leaders of mission movements, what their lives looked like, and what was the defining elements that set them apart in ministry.

This is one of the only books I have seen relating solely to the changing of a college campus for Christ. Steve does an excellent job describing his experiences working with and reaching college students, all the while giving practical examples of how any college student can find a strategic group to strive towards reaching for the Lord. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a "how to manual" to reaching the lost on his college campus.

This book is as hard to put down as it is life changing. Shadrach does a great job weaving practical ministry advice into interesting real life stories. This is a must read for every college minister, every college aged Christian, and anyone serious about building God's kingdom on the college campus. Thanks Steve Shadrach!!!

Glimpses of Heaven gave me insight into my own immortality and while reading I could not put the book down, I took this book everywhere I traveled. The stories are awe inspiring and waiting to be read by all.
I recommend this book to people that have a curiosity for the ending of life and the beginning of death. This is a journey we all must face and Glimpses of Heaven made me feel comfortable. When my time comes I pray I have someone like Trudy Harris, RN to guide me to that place.

"Glimpses of Heaven" is a tender and inviting book that will be deeply encouraging to people of all ages and all walks of life. Broken up into 44 short stories--it gives readers an inside look into the final days of those who are dying.

The stories are varied--everything from the dying experience of toddlers, to the last days of middle aged people, to the lingering deaths of the very old. One story tells about forty-seven year old Mark, a man dying of pancreatic cancer. Harris tells that in his very last moments "suddenly his eyes opened wide, and, sitting up in bed under his own strength with arms raised in the air and a big smile, he said, `There it is. I can see it. It's beautiful.' And lying back down he took his last breath and died." Another story tells us of Lenora, a fifty-four year old woman who is dying of a brain tumor and her encounter with an angel a few days before her death.

The genuine faith of the author shines through "Glimpses of Heaven" from cover to cover and I was inspired, instructed, and even convicted by her childlike faith and unwavering love toward her fellow man. It's not just a book about what happens right before someone dies--it's also almost an instruction manual for those caring for the terminally ill. "Glimpses of Heaven" is touching, amusing, hopeful, and above all else comforting.

Thanks to Trudy Harris for sharing her very personal walk with God! Her generous spirit has allowed the reader of her book to experience what only a very special few have the opportunity to experience, God's mercy and love so freely given to us at our time of joining with Him.
She has changed that moment of joining from apprehension to one of loving acceptance.

An excellent and uplifting account of end-of-life experiences. For anyone who has lost a loved one, or is fearful of facing their own death this book will seriously help to calm those fears.

We thought so much of this book we are going to order ten more copies. My faith in an afterlife has been renewed by "Glimpses of Heaven

Max Lucado is an artist! He paints pictures with his words. All his books are like that, but this one is superb!

We are using it as a women's group study. It lends itself wonderfully and quite easily to this venue. I have never seen the excitment and participation in a small group that this book has generated. But most exciting is the growth of the each women's understanding of Who God is to her (and who she is to HIM) presented in a unusual perspective. The result has been a steadily increasing sense of awe and trust and surrender ~ and a very obvious deepening of each woman's relationship with Him. I would highly recommend this book as a wonderful small group study.

Thanks, Max, you have blessed us ~ again!

With this book, I was lead through the Lord's Prayer and the House of God and understood more of what it means to live in "God's House." Max Lucado is a WONDERFUL author and such an inspiration! Thank you a lot. This book is a great devotional book, or a great book to just read for enjoyment.
~Kristen

Each Chapter has its very own message, and each really opened my heart with great understanding to God's love. I plan to purchase this book for my family members as a Christmas gift.

Lucado takes the Lord's Prayer (our Father, who is in heaven...) and breaks it down into many little parts - giving each part a "room" in the "great house" of God. It shed new light on the Lord's Prayer and I haven't looked at it the same.

Absolutely terrific writing. Classic Lucado - descriptive, prescriptive, and very emotionally connected to the reader. It is written in such a way that Max is the tour guide showing you all the rooms and how we can have a place there.

If you're looking to reconnect with God or for a breath of fresh air in looking at Scripture, this is a great book.

I have just finished this book and it was wonderful! Rev. Lucado has a delightful, conversational style that makes for easy reading. It's almost like having your own personal Bible teacher.
How often we take the Lord's Prayer for granted! We repeat the words mechanically with little thought to their meaning. Rev. Lucado puts these timeless words in a new perspective, bringing fresh meaning that will touch your heart. His description of Heaven brings both comfort and longing to the soul. A must read for all Christians whose view of God's Heavenly Kingdom is somewhat blurred!

This book is written from the heart for those who are seeking comfort and meaning in their grief journey toward healing. Easy reading and numerous short sections help the reader cope with the struggles of the moment or day by guiding the grief work toward healing. Scripture verses, haiku and healing recommendations for grief all in one.

In Grieving God's Way, Margaret Brownley opens a window, letting a fresh breeze clear the clouds of the mind. Her book guides you through the dark hours, showing ways to embrace the daily wonders. Margaret writes, "If we have done the work of Grief, sooner or later, we will want to break out of our cocoon and move on with life."

Diantha Ain's Haiku gives a lyrical view of life. Her Haiku brings humor, beauty of the world and hope.

None of us in this life are allowed the luxury of escaping the loss of someone or something we love. If there is life, there will certainly be death. In this exceptional work, Grieving God's Way,author Margaret Brownley helps us to understand the grieving process and leads us upon the walkway to peace.
In her writing she is open and frank about our grieving experience, yet she laces each expression with comforting Scriptures and insightful wisdom from the Lord.
She shares topics such as, "the Healing Power of Prayer, To Hope Again, God The Beacon, and Where Is God?" She takes some tough subjects and questions that those grieving are certainly screaming out, and gently but with deep conviction speaks the assuring words that are so desperately needed to be heard.

Grieving God's Way is a book written with a fresh approach to dealing with such a personal, intimate and unapproachable emotion, grief. In this work, we find hope, encouragement and a glimmer of peace for the future. I recommend this book and know that the words within it's pages will help bring healing to many.
Shirley Johnson

"Sometimes compassion
offers only outstretched arms
to unburden grief." ~ Diantha Ain

Margaret Brownley is the author of 23 books of fiction and this is a book where she deals with her own reality in all its pain and conflict. She is also the founder of a Bereavement Care and Grief Center. Through her own experiences and the experiences of those around her she has learned a great deal of practical information she now offers to anyone who has unresolved grief and wants to find their way back to their lost joy.

"The soul seeks to grow, to question, and to understand, and this constant search plunges us into dangerous waters and hurls us into hostile space. It's the soul that demands answers from God." ~Margaret Brownley

Grieving God's Way is divided into four main sections that include healing in the areas of Body, Soul, Heart and Spirit. The book starts with gentle breathing exercises and continues through a process of healing each section of hurt and confusion. You will find a place to relax into an understanding that calms and comforts the soul.

The importance of writing, prayer, exercise, getting outside in the sun, lighting candles, remembering good memories and heart-healing ideas are presented with care in a nurturing environment of beautiful writing. I have read many books on grief, but this one is my favorite because it addresses issues in easy-to-read sections and is written by an author who truly understands the grieving process. Grieving God's Way is a very personal journey into the heart.

"Tears comfort the soul
washing away our sorrow
one drop at a time." ~Diantha Ain

~The Rebecca Review

Brownley gets to the core of grieving. Her insight is believable, as she recognizes the agony of the persons grieving. The book is laid out addressing 4 sections of our being as we grieve. It is not necessary to read sequencially, rather where the need is at the moment. The haiku is also very instrumental for remembering details of each section. I depended on the help I knew I'd receive each time I opened "Grieving God's Way".