Tag Archives: Mark Batterson

May 8 2012

May 08, 2012

Featured in this main issue: Mark Batterson, Mike Fisher, Randy Frazee, Karen Kingsbury, Karen Davis Hill, Max Lucado, Glen Scorgie, DeForest B. Soaries, Chris Spielman, Tim Tebow, Nancy Tillman, Desmond Tutu, and Mike Yorkey.

  1. Church leader’s mission: To eradicate America’s culture of debt

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    « In partnership with financial services company Sun Life Financial, DeForest B. Soaries has launched a public awareness and education campaign aimed at eradicating what he calls the "culture of debt." He’s kicking off the program, called dFree, with a challenge to eradicate $1 billion of the country’s consumer debts. Participants can log on to billiondollarpaydown.com to create and track their personal debt repayment goals and form support groups.… »

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  2. Zondervan wins two ECPA Christian Book Awards

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    « Zondervan has announced that two books, The Story for Children, a Storybook Bible by Max Lucado, Randy Frazee and Karen Davis Hill and the Dictionary of Christian Spirituality, edited by Glen G. Scorgie, won Christian Book Awards during a ceremony on Monday, April 30, during ECPA’s annual Executive Leadership Summit near Chicago.… »
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  3. Karen Kingsbury achieves high marks

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    « Author Karen Kingsbury has reached the top of the April 15 New York Times Trade Fiction list for the first time—and character Bailey Flanigan from her latest best-selling series helped put her there. Loving, the final installment of the “Bailey Flanigan” series debuted on the list at #1, tracking sales for the week ending March 31.… »

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  4. South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu to create picture book with Zondervan

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    « Christian publishing house Zondervan has signed Nobel Peace Prize-winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu to collaborate with bestselling author and illustrator Nancy Tillman to produce a picture book telling the creation story from Tutu’s Children of God Storybook Bible. The Grand Rapids Christian publishing house will release Tutu’s book in 2014.… »

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  5. The Story again tops the Bibles best-seller list

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    « The Story has once again topped the weekly Bibles top five best-sellers. The list from Evangelical Christian Publishers Association tracks sales for the week ending April 21, according to Pubtrack Christian data.… »

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  7. New York & Christianity

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    « When Tim Tebow was traded from the Denver Broncos to the New York Jets, media reports focused on two issues: first, how would the trade affect starting quarterback, Mark Sanchez? And second, how would the unapologetically evangelical Tebow do in New York City? More than one Christian writer has even referred to my hometown as "Babylon"…… »

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  8. Mike Yorkey on Jeremy Lin—How the Christian basketball star deals with temptations

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    « In an interview a year ago following his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors, Jeremy Lin told me that his mom and dad, Shirley and Gie-Ming, warned him about the temptations found in the NBA. "They said, ‘Be smart. There are going to be girls throwing themselves at you, so be smart.’ Typical parent stuff," Jeremy said. "They also reminded me to make sure that I took care of my relationship with God first."… »

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  9. Nashville Predators forward Mike Fisher a finalist for NHL Foundation Player Award

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    « Nashville Predators forward Mike Fisher, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles and New York Islanders forward Matt Moulson are the finalists for the 2011-12 NHL Foundation Player Award, the National Hockey League announced today. The award recognizes an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey—commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community.… »
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    See Also:
    • Fisher, Liles, Moulson up for Foundation Award via National Hockey League News

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  11. More Authors in the News…

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    « Featured in this extra issue: Mike Berenstain, Darrell Bock, Mark Buchanan, Ben Carson, Francis Chan, Rachel Coker, Alton Gansky, Kate Gosselin, Billy Graham, cliff graham, Bear Grylls, David Jeremiah, Scot McKnight, Shauna Niequist, Haddon Robinson, Tim Shoemaker, Shane Stanford, Lois Tverberg, Kay Warren, and Rick Warren.… »

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Note: This is a collection of recent stories and news items mentioning authors who have published with Zondervan. This list is not comprehensive, it is not always ‘positive,’ and the order of the stories is arbitrary. The views and opinions expressed in this content do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of Zondervan, its authors, agents, employees, or leadership.

Charles W. Colson
Apr 24 2012

April 24, 2012

  2. Zondervan offers statement of condolence on the passing of Chuck Colson, plans to contribute to Prison Fellowship Ministries

    « "God gifted Chuck Colson in incredible ways, and he gave it all back to the kingdom for Christ. We were honored to work with him and help carry his message to a hurting world, and I am grateful to have gotten the chance to meet and know Chuck. His passion, focus, energy, stamina, drive, and commitment made everyone who came in contact with him a better person and a better warrior for Christ. Our thoughts and prayers are with Patty, Emily, and the rest of his family during this time," said Scott Macdonald, Zondervan President and CEO.… »
    See Also:
    • Remembering Charles Colson, a man transformed @ Christianity Today
    • Chuck Colson and the conscience of a hatchet-man @ Christianity Today
    • Remembering Chuck Colson @ The Colson Center for Christian Worldview
    • Chuck Colson media mentions @ Google News
    • Zondervan’s Chuck Colson Image Set @ Flickr
    • Zondervan’s Chuck Colson Pinboard @ Pinterest
    • Zondervan’s Instagram Images (many featuring Chuck Colson)

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  3. This Week transcript: Rick Warren

    « A lot of people worry about this question, ‘why is there evil in the world? Why does God allow evil?’ To me that’s not the issue. The issue is, why is there good? It’s easy to explain away evil. We have a free choice and our greatest blessing is also our greatest curse because I don’t always make good choices.… We don’t always find answers. Explanations don’t comfort. What comforts is the presence of God, not the explanation of God.… »

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  4. After losing his wife, Stefanie, to cancer, Chris Spielman shares their story in new book

    « Chris Spielman has tackled single fatherhood with the same intensity he once displayed on the football field. More than two years after the death of his wife, Stefanie, of breast cancer at age 42, the former Ohio State and NFL linebacker juggles parenting; work as an ESPN college-football analyst; and numerous appearances to benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research, established in 1999.… »

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  5. Karen Kingsbury debuts at #1 on New York Times bestseller list with latest Zondervan novel, Loving

    « Karen Kingsbury debuted at #1 on "The New York Times Bestseller List (Trade Fiction)" with her latest release, "Loving" (March 26, 2012), the much anticipated final installment in the Bailey Flanigan series. Kingsbury said, "I am beyond grateful to my reader friends and my team at Zondervan, along with my agent Rick Christian for their belief in me and for their work on seeing “Loving” hit #1. But more than anything, I am grateful to God. This doesn’t happen outside His moving mountains to make it possible."… »

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  6. The Story Wins Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year

    « World Vision-sponsored album "Music Inspired By The Story" has won the 2012 Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year, the Gospel Music Association announced ahead of today’s Dove Awards broadcast. "Music Inspired By The Story," which features 18 songs written by Dove Award-winners Nichole Nordeman and Bernie Herms, is a collaboration between the WOW partnership, Zondervan, Proper Management, and World Vision.… »

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  7. Tim Tebow, Jeremy Lin among athletes on TIME 100 list for 2012

    « TIME has released its "TIME 100 for 2012", a listing of "The 100 Most Influential People In The World"…, and Jets quarterback/furor fulcrum Tebow and injured Knicks point guard Lin are both on it, despite neither player having made it through a full professional season as a starter.… »

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  8. Taking life "To the Max": Emily Colson talks about the joys and trials of raising an autistic child

    « "Twenty years ago, when I was expecting with Max, life looked smooth," said Emily. "I had a husband, a home, and a career." Then, Max failed to tick off the normal milestones of infancy. "He wasn’t walking, crawling or babbling. Finally, at 18 months, he took his first steps." Their son was diagnosed with autism, and "three days later, my husband walked out."… »

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  9. Author Francis Chan brings answer to Rob Bell’s Love Wins to Holland church

    « The soft-spoken author of top-selling Christian books such as "Crazy Love" and "Forgotten God" says he’ll be addressing issues of faith he has been grappling with over the past several years when he speaks April 26 at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland. His daughter and Rend Collective Experiment are featured musical guests.… »

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  10. Author Shauna Niequist featured at Lipscomb’s girls only "Naked" event

    « Niequist was eager to engage in an open dialogue with the audience, and after opening with a prayer, she spent over an hour answering questions on topics such as relationships, careers, dieting, and personal struggles. These issues correspond with the overall theme of this year’s Naked event, "Lusts of the Flesh."… »

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  11. New Jersey pastor burned credit card offers in protest

    « The rain didn’t stop Rev. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, yesterday from burning credit card offer letters his members brought to church. Standing in the rain, Soaries publicly burned the credit card offer letters in the church parking lot to send a message that financial companies should stop targeting vulnerable borrowers.… »

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  12. 5 leadership lessons in 4 years

    « In their book "Sifted", Larry Osborne, Francis Chan, and Wayne Cordeiro talk about the tendency of young leaders to get their leadership energy by "pushing off" the perceived mistakes of other ministry models.… »

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  13. Ben Carson on his Local Scholars program

    « Dr. Ben Carson has another bestseller on his hands. The iconic director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital’s new book, "America The Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made America Great" (Zondervan), was released in January and hit "The New York Times" bestseller list by February.… »

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  14. Calvin College presents the world premiere of Walter Wangerin Jr.’s The Book of the Dun Cow

    « Director Stephanie Sandberg loved the book when she read it in grade school but couldn’t find an adaptation that she liked. When the book’s author Wangerin, Jr., was visiting Calvin, Sandberg discussed her dilemma with him, and he suggested she adapt it herself.… »

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  15. Campbellsville University hosts David Brody, Christian Broadcasting Network political correspondent

    « "We all go into the lion’s den every day," David Brody, chief correspondent with the Christian Broadcasting Network, said in Campbellsville University’s weekly chapel service. "Mine is the mainstream media."… »

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  16. Karen Spears Zacharias

    « You have to admit, "Will Jesus Buy Me a Doublewide (Cause I Need More Room For My Plasma TV)" is one that will get your attention. She spoke of having her first kiss, smoking her first and last cigarette, and asking Jesus into her heart on bended knee in a trailer. She fell madly in love in a trailer (a couple of different times, she says) and gave birth to her first child in a trailer. While writing the book she became unemployed and bought a flat-screen plasma TV. Her publisher, Zondervan, is known for its Christian ethic. So I knew right away this was a book I had to read. Was it a good one? Yes. Was it what I expected? Not at all.… »

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  17. Craig Groeschel urges generations to set aside resentment

    « Pastor Craig Groeschel, speaking before 3,500 Christian leaders at Catalyst West, urged younger and older generations within the church to invest their time and efforts toward each other to create the unity needed for change. The leader of the multi-site LifeChurch.tv that draws 30,000 people every week told those in attendance at the conference… that it was time to address "generational tension."… »

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  18. Expert speaks out against sex addiction, porn at lunch

    « "Pornography has a neutering effect on men," Arterburn told the more than 200 attendees. "When you saturate yourself with images and fantasy, it becomes increasingly difficult to have a relationship with a real woman." And in a world of cable television, the Internet and instant messaging, impressionable young people are increasingly exposed to images and situations difficult to deal with. Without the benefit of context, Arterburn said, they can adopt the values they see on screen in their lives.… »

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  19. New book fare

    « No. 4 in Nonfiction Hardcover: "The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears," by Mark Batterson… »

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  20. Renowned speaker/author Carolyn Custis James is keynote speaker at Scenic City

    « Carolyn Custis James is known for saying, "the moment the word ‘why’ crosses your lips you are doing theology." Her book, "When Life and Beliefs Collide," delves into the subject that what we know and believe about God is the basis for how we deal with tragedy in our lives. With so many people in the Chattanooga area facing the devastating aftershocks of the tornados, illness, job-loss and economic hardship, the organization was moved to lead this much-needed and timely ministry for the community.… »

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  21. The Evangelical left in history and today

    « Today, stereotyping evangelicalism as a whole only fortifies the influence of the political right on a movement that has a much more varied history. Democrats should therefore applaud President Obama and others working to transcend these traditional political barriers.… »

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  22. Theologians are OK with Bible translation replacing Jesus Christ, angel

    « Dr. Darrell Bock, professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, worked on the Luke-Acts portion of the translation. Bock told "The Christian Post" that although the word "Christ" does not appear in the text, the meaning of the word is still present in the form of the term "Anointed One," which was frequently used in its place.… »

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  23. Review: Your Church is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan

    « The tone of the book is genuine and non-judgmental, with contents that could be used as a roadmap for churches who want to be all that God intended them to be. Such a book as this is long overdue. I strongly recommend church leaders, pastors and laity read it. There’s something for everyone in these pages from a pastor who reminds us that "…the gospel should afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted."… »

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  24. Review: How to Read the Bible Through a Jesus Lens by Michael Williams

    « This is a charming little book that gives an overview of every book of the Bible and how it relates to Jesus. Williams says: "Reading the Bible through the Jesus lens is reading it the way it was intended. It keeps our reading, understanding, teaching, and preaching properly focused on God’s grand redemptive program that centers on his own son."… »

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  25. Review: Sketchy Behavior by Erynn Mangum

    « I really like the main character, Kate Carter. The author, Erin Mangum did a great job of bringing Kate’s character to life. I also like the way the author tackled the subject of introducing someone to God and the church. Kate had heard of God, but she… »

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  26. Review: Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame by L.L. Samson

    « Self-conscious chapter titles ("Welcoming the Character that Rounds Things Out") and references to literature throughout the narrative make this a feast for middle-grade book lovers. Kids who like quirky adventure stories with idiosyncratic characters will enjoy a simpler kind of fun.… »

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  27. Review: The Imam’s Daughter by Hannah Shah

    « All in all this is a good read. The story flows well, and the editing has been done with care. Anyone with ties to the British Pakistani diaspora or women’s rights or Muslim evangelism will find much to interest them in this volume.… »

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  28. Review: My Holy Bible for African-American Children

    « What I Like: Everything. The people depicted in most illustrated Bibles are light-skinned. I don’t know what it’s like to be an African-American, but I believe if I were I would appreciate a Bible of this nature.… »

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  29. Mike Haynes: C.S. Lewis College encounters money woes

    « Two years ago, plans for a "great books" college in Northfield, Mass., named for the great Christian writer, had just been announced, and I wrote, "It would be cool for the Texas Panhandle to be represented in that first class …" in fall 2012. Now I think it would be cool if CSL College opens at all.… »

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  30. Comerica Bank’s 6th annual Women’s Business Symposium Courage to Change

    « This half day event will feature speakers including Dr. John Townsend, nationally known psychologist and author; Rhonda Sciortino, author of Succeed Because of What You’ve Been Through; Trindl Reeves, Principal of Barney & Barney; Trina Norman, Package Division Manager of UPS; Michelle Duong, Managing Partner of AM Solutions Group; M.J. Ryan, best-selling author; and Bonnie St. John—Olympic athlete.… »

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Note: This is a collection of recent stories and news items mentioning authors who have published with Zondervan. This list is not comprehensive, it is not always ‘positive,’ and the order of the stories is arbitrary. The views and opinions expressed in this content do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of Zondervan, its authors, agents, employees, or leadership.

Ann Voskamp
Apr 17 2012

April 17, 2012

  1. Featuring: Gregg Allison, Karl Bacon, Mark Batterson, Terri Blackstock, Craig Blaising, Ben Carson, Chris Castaldo, Shane Claiborne, Chuck Colson, Melanie Dickerson, Anne Graham Lotz, Rachel Held Evans, Kyle Idleman, Karen Kingsbury, E.B. Lewis, Max Lucado, Frederica Mathewes-Green, DiAnn Mills, Frank Peretti, Julie Stiegemeyer, Tim Tebow, John Townsend, Ann Voskamp, and Walter Wangerin Jr.

  2. Tim Tebow says football comes after faith & family

    « While Tebow loves the game and vows to give his “heart and soul” to every single play, it’s the moments off the field that matter more, such as the time he gets to spend with a sick child.… »

  3. Chuck Colson talking, showing slow progress after surgery

    « Two weeks after brain surgery, evangelical leader Chuck Colson is able to talk to family members and continues to show progress, but he remains in the Intensive Care Unit, according to the latest update.… »

  4. Journals of gratitude prepare women for Easter

    « Voskamp’s story of writing down 1,000 things she was grateful for has earned her a spot on The New York Times bestsellers list for more than eight months and has inspired countless others to take note of their own gifts and to trust the giver.… »

  5. 2012 Christy Award nominees announced

    « First Novel: An Eye for Glory by Karl Bacon; Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson.… »

  6. 2012 Retailers Choice Awards

    « Finalists: NIV Youth Quest Study Bible; Heaven: God’s Promise for Me by Anne Graham Lotz; The Story for Children: A Storybook Bible by Max Lucado; Ocean Adventures: The Nature of God; One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp; Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman; Leaving by Karen Kingsbury; Vicious Cycle by Terri Blackstock; The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson; Beyond Boundaries by John Townsend; The Story: Teen Edition; and Through My Eyes: Young Readers Edition by Tim Tebow.… »

  7. Festival of Faith & Writing 2012

    « This year’s plenary speakers, for which the public can purchase tickets, will include Marilynne Robinson, author of the 2005 Pultizer Prize winning book Gilead, as well as Jonathan Safran Foer and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, both of whom were featured in the New Yorker’s 2010 “20 Under 40” issue. Additionally, Calvin’s own Newbery Honor Award-winning professor Gary Schmidt and prominent activist Shane Claiborne will lead plenary sessions. … And on stage, the Calvin Theatre Company will present The Book of the Dun Cow, by Festival author Walter Wangerin Jr.… »

  8. Under the Baobab Tree, starred review

    « From the opening full-bleed, full-spread watercolor illustration of a young boy greeting the dawn in front of his grass-roofed hut with arms stretched wide toward heaven, to the final spread of a community gathered to praise God under a baobab tree’s encompassing branches, a spirit of quiet joy and wonder reverberates through this tale.… »

  9. Wheaton college hosts ‘Journeys of Faith’ Evangelicals becoming Catholic

    « Subtitled “Evangelicals Becoming Catholic: A Response,” evangelical leaders Gregg Allison, Craig Blaising and Chris Castaldo will discuss the growing number of Protestant Christians converting to Catholicism. All three participants are contributors to the book Journeys of Faith: Evangelicalism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Anglicanism (Zondervan, 2012).… »

  10. Texas Reads: Lori Wilde series set in cutting horse country

    « Abilene’s Karen Witemeyer has a new historical romance due out in June from inspirational publisher Bethany House, “Short-Straw Bride” ($14.99). Other Christian/inspirational romances due this spring from Texas authors include “My Stubborn Heart” by Becky Wade of Dallas (Bethany House, $13.99), “The Chase” by Diane [sic] Mills of Houston (Zondervan, $14.99), and “A Flight of Fancy” by Laurie Alice Eakes of Laredo (Revell, $14.99).… »

  11. Christian author explains pro-life stance

    « Mathewes-Green is the author of nine books. Her work also has appeared in major publications such as the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times and Christianity Today.… »

  12. Guest blogger: Why we can all opt out of the ‘war on women’

    « Rachel Held Evans is a popular blogger and the author of Evolving in Monkey Town (Zondervan 2010) and the forthcoming A Year of Biblical Womanhood (Thomas Nelson, 2012). She always has a lively conversation going on at rachelheldevans.com.… »

  13. It’s all about love at the Strongsville Library this week

    « Illusion: a Novel By Frank Peretti. (Howard Books) March 2012, 498 pages. Christian author Peretti turns his hand to a time travel romance when Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy’s life-or so everyone thinks. Then Dane discovers a nineteen year young woman who is identical to his Mandy performing illusions that he can’t explain. Fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife should definitely try this one.… »

  14. New York Times best sellers

    « April 15, 2012: #30 in combined print nonfiction, America the Beautiful, by Ben Carson; #31 in combined print fiction, Loving, by Karen Kingsbury.… »

Note: This is a collection of recent stories and news items mentioning authors who have published with Zondervan. This list is not comprehensive, it is not always ‘positive,’ and the order of the stories is arbitrary. The views and opinions expressed in this content do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of Zondervan, its authors, agents, employees, or leadership.

Tim Tebow Prays
Apr 10 2012

April 10, 2012 (More News…)

  2. NY Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, through talk and prayer, is helping …

    Willie James Ashley is a 55-year-old former Air Force man from Miami who had a long career in the cocaine business and once caught a pass from Tim Tebow. He caught a couple of them, actually. The first one Ashley brought down in a crowd, with his thick body and his buzz cut, and his blue, prison-issue uniform, Tebow throwing a Hail Mary to the back row of the bleachers in a crowded gymnasium. The next one came on the gym floor, where Tebow missed him on a timing pattern, then threw one more, a flare pass, which Ashley caught easily. That was almost three years ago, but Willie Ashley hasn’t forgotten the pass, or the man who delivered it, in front of 300 inmates in a hot gym at Lawtey Correctional Institution.
  3. Giveaway: Free Bible Study DVD Sampler with Margaret Feinberg

    We have compiled five video lessons into one great, free DVD sampler, featuring sessions from The Organic God 6-Session Bible Study, The Sacred Echo 6-Session Bible Study, Scouting the Divine 6-Session Bible Study, Pursuing God’s Beauty: Stories from the Gospel of John 6-Session DVD Bible Study, and Pursuing God’s Love: Stories from the Book of Genesis 6-Session DVD Bible Study. To receive your free DVD sampler, email your mailing address to Jessica (at) margaretfeinberg (dot) com.
  4. Mark Batterson: ‘The Circle Maker’: A New Way to Pray

    This past Easter I attended the President’s Easter Prayer Breakfast at the White House along with a couple hundred religious leaders from across the country. Before breakfast, a 76-year-old African-American preacher who served alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement offered a prayer. I was expecting a perfunctory pre-meal prayer, but it was anything but. He prayed with such a familiarity with the Heavenly Father that I felt like I barely knew God. It was like his words were deep-fried in the faithfulness of God. And he prayed with such authority that my prayers felt like weak sauce by comparison. After he said amen, I turned to the person next to me and said, “I feel like I’ve never prayed before.”
  5. From a movie theater church, pastor Mark Batterson blends …

    Many members of this unusual church are on Capitol Hill for the same reason as their pastor, Mark Batterson, a one-time University of Chicago basketball player who felt God called him from the Midwest to the District in 1995 to “influence the influencers.” Batterson, 42, seems to be doing just that.
  6. Teaching the Bible with President Jimmy Carter

    Former President Jimmy Carter is a man of great faith whose life’s work includes enacting social justice with the Carter Center, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, and uniting Baptists with the New Baptist Covenant. While he has been a part of influential international discussions and has received the Nobel Peace Prize, one of his greatest pleasures is teaching Sunday school every week in Plains, Georgia. Through his latest book ‘NIV Lessons From Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter’, people all over the world will be able to experience the wisdom he has garnered through his long and accomplished life. I was honored to speak to him about this new book, his views on Scripture, and what he has learned about accomplishing peace and justice in the world.
  7. Jimmy Carter: Bible Scholar?

    Former President Jimmy Carter has a new Bible! One he wrote himself! Partly! The publishing house Zondervan has produced a new study Bible titled the NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter. Get yours today! Or don’t. Actually, let’s go with that: Don’t. Definitely don’t. Not if you want Bible commentary from someone who knows what he’s talking about.
  8. Jimmy Carter supports same-sex ‘marriage’ as he launches his new Bible

    President Carter told Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, senior religion editor of The Huffington Post: Homosexuality was well known in the ancient world, well before Christ was born and Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things – he never said that gay people should be condemned. I personally think it is very fine for gay people to be married in civil ceremonies.
  9. From Peanuts to Preaching: President Carter Publishes a Bible

    Former president Jimmy Carter, once a Georgia peanut farmer, once the leader of the free world, has just published a new bible. Called the Lessons From Life Study Bible, Carter’s new edition combines the NIV (New International Version) with Carter’s own, down-home advice and personal reflections. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Zondervan Publishing Company, which released the Lessons From Life Study Bible, expects to sell about 250,000 copies.
  10. Hal Lindsey gears programming for Holy Week (videos)

    On April 6, 2012, Hal Lindsey announced he will focus his programming on “The Week that Changed the World” during Holy Week. The special will air on April 8, 2012 on the Inspiration network and Lindsey will discuss his views regarding Good Friday. Lindsey argues that Christians should celebrate Good Thursday instead.
  11. Book Scene — ‘A Silence of Mockingbirds’

    Best-selling crime writer Ann Rule has said, “‘A Silence of Mockingbirds’ is beautifully written by a very talented investigative journalist. But, even more, this is Karen Zacharias’ own story, too, one of trust betrayed. A tragic book that we should all take to heart. We cannot change the past but we can save children who are in peril now. Spears Zacharias has given us Karly’s legacy, that of a small, bright spirit who loved and was loved. And yet destroyed by heedless caretakers. A must-read. Compelling and heartbreaking.”
  12. N.T. Wright on the importance of the resurrection to Christianity.

    “Anyone who is in any sense a Christian cannot with any consistency believe that Jesus stayed dead. I have friends and colleagues who I know to be praying Christians who worship regularly and lead lives of practical Christian love and service but who really struggle with the bodily resurrection. I would say that looks like a muddled Christian who needs to be put straight. Of course some of them would say exactly that about me! But if you say Jesus died and nothing happened but the disciples had some interesting ideas, then you have cut off the branch on which all classic Christianity is sitting. This generation needs to wake up, smell the coffee and realise serious Christianity begins when Jesus comes out of the tomb on Easter morning. This is not a nice optional extra for those who like believing in funny things.”
  13. Vital Remnants: The God of men-and of Elves: How C. S. Lewis became a Christian

    An essential part of the classical Christian education that held sway in schools from the Middle Ages until fairly recent times was a familiarity with Greek and Roman mythology, a mastery of the history of these great civilizations, and an immersion in their literature. Medieval philosophers and theologians drank deeply from the well of philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle in their quest to make intellectual sense of and to articulate Christian truths. And Christian thinkers since then have not only availed themselves liberally of the classical heritage in history and literature, but have been on the vanguard of classical learning. There are many examples of contemporary Christian thinkers who have professed a debt to the learning of the ancients, but none is more well known than C. S. Lewis.
  14. Humanitarian encourages Liberty University students to get involved

    After graduating from Wheaton College, Zacharias worked for Coca-Cola in her hometown of Atlanta, Ga. She realized quickly that working in sales often left her unhappy and stressed. As a result, she decided to work for her father in Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Dr. Ravi Zacharias is a well-known speaker and author. During this time she took an internship at the White House in the Office of Public Liaison.
  15. Christian Publisher Zondervan to Release Jeremy Lin Bio ‘Linspired’

    A biography of Jeremy Lin is due out this April from Christian Publishing Company Zondervan. Both an adult and youth version of the book will be released, and are due to hit shelves in April of this year.
  16. Zondervan Hopes to Ride the Lin Craze

    As publishers buzz around Jeremy Lin, he apparently continues to turn down book deals to focus on his playing. Nonetheless, at least five unauthorized e-book bios are already on the market. One publisher hoping to be the first with a print book is Zondervan, which is publishing Linspired: The Remarkable Rise of Jeremy Lin in both adult and children’s versions in April.
  17. Author draws on mother’s experience for new book

    Drawing inspiration from her mother’s experiences and her own life, Carolyn Ann Wharton, of Altavista, has written an inspirational novel that mirrors social issues still being debated today.
  18. Technology and the Bible-Not an Oxymoron Says PlanBible Author Jeff Swanson Recently on FoxNews

    It seems like everything is going mobile these days: Facebook, Twitter and now, even the Bible is going mobile. Jeff Swanson has developed a new organization of the Bible for eBook, which is suitable for reading on Kindle and other electronic devices.
  19. Interview: Rachel Coker, author of ‘Interrupted: Life Beyond Words’

    Rachel Coker’s debut novel, Interrupted: Life Beyond Words, is a coming-of-age romance set in the 1940s. Oh, and Rachel is 16.
  20. The Story, the Best Selling book that is Sparking a National Phenomenon, Wins Two Regional Silver ADDY Awards

    Zondervan’s The Story, NIV: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, with over 300K copies sold, has been awarded two regional Silver ADDY Awards by the American Advertising Federation of West Michigan. The awards went to the design team at Extra Credit Projects in the categories of Cover and Photography, Digitally Enhanced.
  21. How Zondervan struck a deal with rival Thomas Nelson to combine Christian bestsellers

    Deal was in works before parent company HarperCollins made the publishers corporate siblings.
  22. When Christian Bookstores Ban Female Body Parts

    ” Is It a Sin to Look Your Age? | Mike Daisey, Apple, and Our Culture’s Crisis in Truth-Telling ” When Christian Bookstores Ban Fema…
  23. Researcher studies why teens leave the faith and what can be done about it

    A 2007 LifeWay Research study found that 70 percent of young adults who attended church in high school subsequently stopped attending church for at least a year during their college years. Perhaps just as alarming, only 20 percent of those who left the church had planned on doing so while in high school. For most, the decision was not considered far in advance. The Baptist Courier provides a vital link to the work of Southern Baptists who labor in His Name, encouraging all to be doers and not just hearers of the Word.
  24. Glo Bible & Zondervan team up to launch Glo Bible for iPhone

    This week the award-winning Glo Bible added the iPhone to the roster of free app download…
  25. A Man Among (Tiki) Gods

    A Man Among (Tiki) Gods Audria Larsen | Thursday, March 22, 2012 Anthony Carpenter brings the modern past to the present with his illustr…
  26. He descended into Hell, and on the third day rose again

    A few thoughts at Easter… I read an interesting article Saturday that posed the question, what Christ did on Saturday (see: What did Je…
  27. The Story, Teen Curriculum: Finding Your Place in the Story of God

    I’ve been a fan of Michael Novelli’s storying method of teaching the Bible for years. I’ve used it with our junior high students in the past, and I was very excited to see the new material in The Story to help supplement what he already has created. There are many positives to this curriculum: I love that this is a very different way of teaching the Bible than what most of us are used to seeing in a curriculum. It does a good job of getting students involved instead of sitting and listening to a talking head up front with all the answers. Moreover, it engages visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners every session, which is not an easy feat! The art clips are amazing and easy to get lost in; they move fast, but they are a welcome addition and helpful in this culture. They are so good we are using them in our Easter service this year!
  28. Words of faith

    West Michigan native David Staal provides a guide to sharing what he believes we should teach our children based on faith. The author feels the key is teaching with a balance. “A balance of valuing yourself and valuing others, of appreciating those who serve you while you serve as well, of learning what’s unimportant and what has consequences, of finding your fit while learning you can fail.”
  29. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Revised Edition (Matthew …

    The Expositor’s Bible Commentary – (The Revised Edition) – of the Gospel of Matthew & Mark written by Temper Longman III & edited by David E. Garland is a monumental Commentary to say the least. D. A. Carson contributed material…