C. Brian Smith

Connecting Like Jesus

C. Brian Smith

June 15, 2010

Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling | Jossey Bass
While the 21st century offers many ways to communicate—smart phones, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, instant messaging—paradoxically, these wonderful technologies can leave people feeling alienated and disconnected.
In Connecting Like Jesus: Practices for Healing, Preaching, and Teaching, sociologist and preacher Tony Campolo and communications expert Mary Albert Darling have combined forces to bridge the gap of interpersonal distance. Their goal: to help people "relate to others in ways that deeply satisfy the deepest needs of our souls."
The Vertical Self

C. Brian Smith

March 25, 2010

Mark Sayers | Thomas Nelson

Mark Sayers, pastor of Red East Church in Melbourne, Australia, confronts the idols of the 21st century in The Vertical Self: How Biblical Faith Can Help Us Discover Who We Are in an Age of Self-Obsession. Sayers focuses on such masks and diversions as sex, power, fame, image and coolness. Most important, he distinguishes between the horizontal life and the vertical life.
Giving Church Another Chance

C. Brian Smith

March 5, 2010

By Todd D. Hunter | IVP Books
Todd D. Hunter, founding pastor of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Orange County, Calif., shares his journey of despair in Giving Church Another Chance: Finding New Meaning in Spiritual Practices, which features a foreword by emerging church scholar Scot McKnight. The author's background includes time spent at Vineyard, Calvary Chapel, emerging churches, house churches and more.
Tithing

C. Brian Smith

February 15, 2010

By Douglas LeBlanc | Thomas Nelson | hardcover | 176 pages | $17.99
As part of The Ancient Practices Series, Douglas LeBlanc's Tithing: Test Me in This explores responses to the text of Malachi 3:10. This seventh book in the eight-part series devoted to spiritual disciplines of the Christian church features a foreword by eminent religion editor and writer Phyllis Tickle.
How to Reach Your Full Potential for God

C. Brian Smith

December 13, 2009

By Charles F. Stanley | Thomas Nelson | hardcover | 256 pages | $21.99
Charles F. Stanley continues his writing on practical theology and the Christian life in How to Reach Your Full Potential for God: Never Settle for Less Than His Best. Deeply rooted in the Scriptures, the book enumerates the essentials of a rich, meaningful existence. A clean heart, a clean mind and a balanced schedule can do wonders to revive an arid soul, according to the author.
Wrestling Prayer

C. Brian Smith

July 8, 2009

By Eric and Leslie Ludy | Harvest House Publishers | softcover | 256 pages | $13.99
The Ludys, a husband-and-wife team who operate a ministry called Set Apart Life, have penned a rallying cry to rouse a slumbering church. In Wrestling Prayer: A Passionate Communion With God, they inspire readers to live a Christ-infused life as spiritual warriors. To this end, the authors mine Old Testament stories well-known (Saul, David) and obscure (Jebus, Abishai), and share their own tribulation of miscarriage and joy of adopting a Korean child.