Vibes

The Ten-Minute Marriage Principle
By Douglas Weiss, FaithWords,
Softcover, 256 pages, $14.99.
Readers will find Douglas Weiss’ latest work refreshing, as it is devoted to helping couples strengthen their marriages while also acknowledging the time pressures they are under on any given day. Executive director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., Weiss said his goal in The Ten-Minute Marriage Principle: Quick, Daily Steps for Refreshing Your Relationship is to help spouses use even small portions of time-perhaps only 10 minutes a day-to come together. The author advises readers to reconnect with their mates each day using the Ten-Minute Exercise Menu, which includes exercises such as “gazing,” in which spouses are encouraged to spend time making direct eye contact with each other. Weiss’ comparison of marriage to types of government also may help readers understand the dynamics of the marriage relationship according to God’s plan. The Ten-Minute Marriage Principle is filled with practical ideas for quick and easy reconnecting between spouses. Weiss writes in a no-nonsense, how-to style that will resonate with readers yearning to build their marriages.
Julie Daniel

BOOKS

Living as if Heaven Matters
By David Shibley, Charisma House,
Softcover, 224 pages, $14.99.
Just getting through each day is sometimes hard enough. Who has time to think about heaven? But according to David Shibley, president of Global Advance, every Christian should. In Living as if Heaven Matters, he points out that many Christians seem unaware that earthly life should be preparing them for life in heaven. Shibley unveils the intricate intertwining of our daily challenges and opportunities with their eternal significance. His vivid description of heaven is motivating enough, but each chapter also exposes more gems of encouragement as he shares insights on the Christian’s blessed hope. Shibley provides plenty of biblical accounts and Scripture references to reinforce his call to more heavenly thinking. If you want to improve your outlook on life and further God’s kingdom now, then set your mind on your eternal home and start living as if heaven matters.
Jeff Friend

Confident Parenting
By Jim Burns, Bethany House,
Hardcover, 192 pages, $19.99.
It’s here—a guide to help you be more confident as a parent. Jim Burns offers essential tools and biblical principles for parents today. Burns humbly admits that he too is in the process of learning to be a confident parent, and he imparts the wisdom God has given him. He encourages parents to stand strong and decide that they want a godly family and gives biblical principles to equip them. He addresses generational patterns and actually gives hope to those parents who are dealing with “the sins of their fathers.” All parents will be encouraged to get back to essential basics such as honoring the Sabbath, using affection in communicating with their families, offering warmth and encouragement, and building a solid foundation to leave a lasting legacy for their children and their children’s children. Parents who read these wisdom-filled pages will be inspired and encouraged as they become more confident parents.
Kristi Shores

The Divine Mentor
By Wayne Cordeiro, Bethany House,
Hardcover, 224 pages, $19.99.
Wayne Cordeiro knows a secret—for real intimacy with God, consistent daily devotions are not an option. In The Divine Mentor, he not only explains the need for and importance of devotions but also provides a sensible plan based on Scripture reading and journaling. Cordeiro understands that the journaling aspect is the most intimidating for many people, so he gives plenty of examples and encouragement as starting points. He writes honestly and passionately but never in a condemning tone. Cordeiro wants his readers to mature in Christ and even anticipates some of their doubts and concerns (“But what if I just don’t have the time?”) in an appendix of frequently asked questions. Whether devotions are done individually or in a small group, Cordeiro provides all the insights and instructions needed to make them a refreshing time of spiritual growth.
Jeff Friend

MUSIC

Christmas: From the Realms of Glory
By Bebo Norman, BEC Recordings.
Bebo Norman waited years to release a Christmas album because he wanted just the right songs to go with foundational track “The Rebel Jesus” by Jackson Browne. Though this song is not a traditional holiday song, it carries a much-needed message. Listeners are challenged to live generously all year, not only at Christmastime when they might feel compelled to drop some coins in red, metal buckets. Norman surrounds this track with new songs and familiar carols to help celebrate this beloved season. New tune “Christmas Time Is Here” wishes us peace and laughter, and hope for the hopeless. “Joy to the World” is wrapped in a different rhythm and acoustic melody, offering a lovely rendition of this classic. “What Child Is This,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Silver Bells” and other favorites get the Norman treatment. Lullaby “Mary’s Prayer” is Mary’s description of her Son’s future: “Your feet will walk on water / Your eyes will pierce the dark / Your heart will save the souls of men / And Your hands will bear the scars.” The songs on Christmas…From the Realms of Glory not only will help listeners celebrate the season but also may serve as a reminder that Jesus is the true gift, and we are to be that gift to others throughout the year.
Leigh Devore

Do You See What I See?
By Todd Agnew, INO Records.
Todd Agnew and friends offer a collection of new songs packaged between “Do You See What I See?” and “In the First Light.” Agnew wrote each new song from the perspective of different people involved in the Christmas story. “No Room” features Joy Whitlock singing for the innkeeper. “This Is All I Have to Give,” with Vince Lichlyter of Jonah 33, describes how Joseph might have felt as Jesus’ earthly father: “I’d always hoped You’d have my eyes / And maybe a bit of the skill of my hands / But as I look into Your eyes / I see Your hands created mine.” The gospel-tinged “Glory to God” features Anthony Evans and describes the angels’ need to sing and shout because the Son had come to earth (be ready to feel chills listening to this one). Simeon, Elizabeth, the shepherds and others also share their songs. Agnew has packaged the Christmas story into one album, offering a special glimpse into the lives of those involved in this unfolding miracle.
Leigh Devore

All That Is Within Me
By MercyMe, INO Records.
MercyMe returns with an album of songs accessible enough to appeal to nearly every fan of Christian pop music. Lead singer Bart Millard has a wonderful pop-country style that seems to get better as this album goes along. His vocals excel most notably on “Grace Tells Another Story,” a moving track with the lyric, “We’ve been told the heart is just too far gone to save, but grace tells us another story.” “All Right,” a light, upbeat number, makes listeners want to tap their feet. Although the group’s lyrics and music are sometimes straightforward, at other times they’re more reflective, such as on “My Heart Will Fly,” a song in which the band asks: “Why write the script with such an aching pain? Could there not have been an easier way?” The album ends with “Finally Home,” a beautiful acoustic guitar number that describes how Millard will greet his father in heaven: “I’m gonna wrap my arms around my daddy’s neck / And tell him that I’ve missed him.” All 10 songs on this album prove that it’s no accident MercyMe has sold millions of records. This is a talented band that reminds one of Third Day and Steven Curtis Chapman—artists whose lyrics meet evangelical pop music fans exactly where they are in life. All That Is Within Me is no exception. It’s catchy pop music with a clear gospel message that will resonate with all of MercyMe’s fans—a considerable group—and should win them a few new ones, too.

Cameron Conant

Everyone Overcome
By Desperation Band, Integrity Music
With the exception of one song, Everyone Overcome is a live recording by the Desperation Band—three worship leaders from New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. Unlike on some live albums, the passion and immediacy of the live show translate well here. The show gets off to a great start with haunting vocals and a big guitar intro, before settling into a fairly standard set of praise and worship songs. The lead vocals are a bit weak early on, but seem to find their way on “Counting on God”—a pop-style praise and worship song. “Counting on God” is followed by “Overcome,” an emotive 12-minute song that doesn’t feel nearly that long. Other notable songs are “Good to Me,” a delicate piano ballad with female vocals, and “I Will Go,” which features clips of individuals making declarations such as, “I will go, I’ll live the life … I’ll tell the world that you are God.” Overall, this album suffers from uneven vocals and too many predictable songs, but its strength lies in translating the emotion and energy from the live experience to the listener at home.
Cameron Conant

This Moment
By Steven Curtis Chapman, Sparrow.
After winning numerous awards and selling a gazillion records, Steven Curtis Chapman has earned the right to rest on his laurels. Fortunately, instead of taking a break, the singer-songwriter-musician extraordinaire just keeps writing great songs and singing them with his signature crystal-clear tenor voice. On his 16th studio album, This Moment, Chapman manages to take his fans on journeys to both the familiar and the unexpected. “Yours” finds Chapman waxing philosophical about his international travels, utilizing the trademark driving acoustic rhythm he introduced 20 years ago. “Something Crazy” puts a new twist on his popularized, bouncy, pop-rock style as he describes the unpredictable nature of love. Chapman continues his quest to prove he’s got some rock left in him on songs such as “Children of God,” “You Are Being Loved” and the rhythmically quirky “Broken.” Another surprise is the Beatles-like number “Definition of Me,” which could just as easily have been found on a Michael W. Smith record. Of course, there are still plenty of tender moments, including the anthemic ballad “One Heartbeat at a Time” and the tearjerker “Cinderella,” which follows Chapman as he watches time fly by through the life of his oldest daughter, Emily. This Moment will please longtime fans and may earn Chapman a new generation of supporters as well.
Chad Bonham

Songs 4 Worship: Country
By various artists, Time Life.
Mainstream country artists have long been apt to interject faith into their music. That’s why no one should be surprised to learn of the popular genre’s foray into the worship scene with a various artists project simply titled Songs 4 Worship: Country. A slim majority of the songs can be categorized as corporate-worship favorites—classics such as Diamond Rio’s bluegrass-flavored take on “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” Rachel Robinson’s graceful rendition of “You Are My King” (complete with steel guitar and flawless fiddle instrumentation) and Bryan White’s interpretation of “God of Wonders.” Several other songs are simply Christian-themed narratives such as Collin Raye’s fun-loving, church house toe-tapper “Get Up in Jesus’ Name” and mega-band Rascal Flatts’ country-rock power ballad “He Ain’t the Leavin’ Kind.” With plenty of big names contributing (including Ricky Skaggs, Marty Raybon, The Oak Ridge Boys and Emerson Drive), Songs 4 Worship: Country provides the genre’s true fans with some spiritual meat that has been sorely lacking in recent years.
Chad Bonhan

The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible
Thomas Nelson.
The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible is a dramatic recording of the New King James Version of the New Testament, featuring more than 120 actors’ voices, including Marisa Tome as Mary Magdalene, Richard Dreyfuss as Moses, Michael W. Smith as Cleopas, John Schneider as James and James Caviezel as Jesus, which is particularly fitting in light of his stellar performance as Jesus in The Passion of the Christ. This is a complete theatrical reading, with sound effects and an original soundtrack, creating a whole new way to experience the Scriptures. Especially moving are the miracle stories such as the woman with the issue of blood and verses in Luke about Jesus’ crucifixion. This 20-disc set includes 21 hours of audio and behind-the-scenes footage.
Leigh Devore

FICTION

CONTEMPORARY

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out
By Neta Jackson, Thomas Nelson,
Softcover, 288 pages, $13.99.
Jodi Foster is prepping for family holiday festivities and a New Year’s party with her Yada Yada sisters. But in the midst of all this she has to deal with a former student, a crime, a quickly planned wedding and a child who forever changes her family. Now more than ever these praying friends need each other.

HOLIDAY

Boo Humbug
By Rene Gutteridge, WaterBrook Press,
Softcover, 176 pages, $11.99.
It’s Christmastime even in Skary, Ind. Lois Stepaphanopolis is directing her own stage version of A Christmas Carol. While preparing, she learns that a team member hates Christmas. Then Lois discovers that the audience is expecting a different play and the actors have to improvise. But the new show might help the town’s own Scrooge understand the true meaning of Christmas.

SEASONAL

Unwrapping Christmas
By Lori Copeland, Zondervan,
Softcover, 160 pages, $14.99.
Rose wants everything to be perfect for Christ-mas, but she is feeling overworked and overwhelmed. And at a time when families should feel the most connected, Rose’s family seems distant and aloof. Even so, God uses unexpected circumstances to teach Rose to slow down, and she discovers the true meaning of giving.

1 in 5 Pregnancies Worldwide End in Abortion

A recent study by the pro-abortion Allan Guttmacher Institute found that abortions have decreased by 17 percent worldwide, from 46 million to 42 million.

A recent study by the pro-abortion Allan Guttmacher Institute found that abortions have decreased by 17 percent worldwide, from 46 million in 1995 to 42 million in 2003.

But despite that drop, one-in-five pregnancies still are terminated each year. The report also found that the number of “unsafe” abortions was increasing, particularly in developing nations.

“Abortion is evidence that the needs of pregnant women are not being met,” said Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action. “Women seek abortion when they fear they cannot adequately provide for their children. By providing clean water and better living conditions for pregnant women, the number of abortions will drop even more.”

ORU Receives $70 Million Pledge

Days after Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts resigned the scandal-ridden school received a $70 million pledge.

Days after Oral Roberts University (ORU) President Richard Roberts resigned and the same day that the school’s Board of Regents announced their plans to separate finances and leadership from Oral Roberts Ministries, the scandal-ridden school received a $70 million pledge, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Mart Green, founder of the Christian-based office supply store chain Mardel, announced that he would immediately give the school $8 million and the other $62 million after a 60- to 90-day review of the school’s financial records.

Green, who stated he has no ties to ORU, said he had been following the story in the media of the school’s recent troubles and decided he wanted to help move the university forward. “Let's straighten the ship,” Green said Tuesday. “Let's get integrity. Let's get trust built back and the rest will go away.”

Town Believes Prayer Brought Man Back From Dead

A 21-year-old was said to have miraculously awakened after being declared brain dead as a result of critical injuries sustained during an accident.

Town Says Prayer Brought Man Back From Dead

A 21-year-old Oklahoma native was said to have miraculously awakened after being declared brain dead as a result of critical injuries sustained in an all-terrain-vehicle accident, reported NBC News affiliate WOAI in San Antonio.

Family members of Zack Dunlap were astonished when he stretched out his arm and grabbed a nurse who was prepping his body for organ donation. The Dunlap family had urged their entire hometown of Frederick, Okla., to pray for a miraculous recovery.

“God come down and give him a miracle. I believe that with all my heart,” Dunlap's uncle, James Blackford, told WOAI. “Doctor came back down and said: 'Well, I don't know what happened. But I guess it was faulty equipment on the first test.’ It wasn't faulty equipment,” Blackford said. “God touched him.”

Though Dunlap has a lot of recovering to do many in the town believe that he is alive because of prayer.

“I think it's the result of people praying in this town, and committing him to the Lord,” said Roberta Klein, Dunlap’s neighbor. “God has a purpose for him.”

Grandmother Calling Parents to Boycott School

A grandmother is urging parents with children in California public schools to keep their children home Nov. 28-29 to protest two bills that would mandate homosexual instruction of all children.

Joy Stutz, a Southern California grandmother, is urging parents with children in California public schools to keep their children home Nov. 28-29 to protest two bills recently made law that would mandate homosexual instruction of all children without parental consent or an opt-out provision, reported One News Now.

Last month Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed California Senate Bill 777 into law, which mandates positive representation of homosexual lifestyles when teaching, and California Assembly Bill 394, which orders “anti-harassment” training to be given to students, parents and teachers.

“What [passage of the bills] effectively did was open the door wide [so] that the children in the public schools—all public schools in California—will be indoctrinated with the homosexual agenda, beginning with age 5 on up,” Stutz told One News Now. “They will no longer be able to have a reference of 'mommy and daddy' as being a normal family. It will now be taught that it is perfectly normal to have two mommies or two daddies.”

Stutz said that parents must join together to fight these laws and believes this boycott is a step in the right direction; the next step might be to withdraw students from the public school system and enroll them in private school or home school them.

“If this law stands, we must pull our children out of public schools,” she said.

Christmas at the Cathedral

A holiday gospel music special, featuring Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett and G.A., Martha Munizzi and Smokie Norful, will be aired on network TV next Tuesday night, Dec. 4.

A holiday gospel music special will be on network TV next Tuesday night, Dec. 4 (originally scheduled for Dec. 6). My Network TV, a network TV channel owned by FOX television, will air an hour-long event dubbed “Christmas at the Cathedral” featuring guests Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett and G.A., Martha Munizzi and Smokie Norful.

Hosted by comedian George Wallace, the show takes place in the 24,000-member West Angeles Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Los Angeles, the COGIC denomination’s largest and most prominent congregation in the U.S.

Bishop Charles E. Blake, the church’s senior pastor and also head of the 6 million-member COGIC, told Charisma his church was delighted to play host.

“Our holy days have been so secularized and twisted from their original meaning,” he said. “This is an opportunity to have a focus on the Lord and the kindness of Jesus and His coming to earth.”

According to Robert Coleman, the 46-year-old producer at FOX behind the project and a member at West Angeles, a Christmas-gospel extravaganza on network TV is a rarity. “May have been on cable before,” he said, “but this many gospel music artists in the mainstream on a major network is a first.”

–-PAUL STEVEN GHIRINGHELLI

ORU President Richard Roberts Resigns

Amid a wrongful-termination, lawsuit which included allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct, Richard Roberts resigned his position as university president on Friday, Nov. 23.

Amid a wrongful-termination lawsuit filed in October by former professors at Oral Roberts University (ORU), which included allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct, Richard Roberts resigned his position as university president on Friday, Nov. 23.

The resignation follows an emergency meeting at ORU called last week by the school’s founder, Oral Roberts, after tenured faculty members had issued a vote of no confidence in Richard Roberts’ ability to stay on as president.

Roberts asked faculty for a second chance and a fresh start, claiming he should remain at the school as president because stepping down would be tantamount to admitting to wrongdoing, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Several faculty members reportedly refused to acquiesce.

In addition to the no-confidence vote by faculty, ORU’s provost, Mark Lewandowski, one of four top administrators named in the wrongful-termination suit, announced last week that he was willing to go as far as resigning his top academic post if Roberts was reinstated, the AP reported.

Roberts, who asked for a leave of absence last month while an investigation into the school and his leadership is underway, said in his resignation letter on Friday: “I love ORU with all my heart. I love the students, faculty, staff and administration and I want to see God’s best for all of them.”

The Board of Regents will meet this week to determine the process for searching for a new school president.

Baptist Denominations Forge New Coalition

Groups of various Baptist denominations not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention plan to launch a new coalition of moderate and liberal-leaning Baptists.

Groups of various Baptist denominations not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., plan to launch in Atlanta this January a new coalition of moderate and liberal-leaning Baptists, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Dubbed the New Baptist Covenant, the group was organized as a result of meetings led by former President Jimmy Carter, who severed ties with the SBC in 2000 over its “increasingly rigid” positions, the AP reported.

Some of the participating denominations include the American Baptist Churches, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the National Baptist Convention USA and the Progressive National Baptist Convention.

According to the National Baptist Convention (NBC) Web site, Carter, Bill Clinton and Al Gore are committed participants.

“We seek nothing more nor less than that for which Christ prayed, for no other reason than that which He gave: that ours will be a believable witness as to who Jesus is and why He came,” said William Shaw, president of the NBC, the nation's largest predominantly black denomination.

Ministry Helps Bring Healing in Rwanda

In the years since the Rwandan genocide, Hutus and Tutsis have been finding ways to unite and rebuild.

Memories of bloodshed, rape and murder still haunt the hundreds of thousands of people who survived the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, which left at least 800,000 dead in a three-month period. Yet in the years since the Hutu tribe planned and executed its brutal attack against the Tutsis, Christian observers say Rwandans have been experiencing the healing power of Christ, and learning to forgive and rebuild their nation.

“Despite such suffering, trauma and disappointments … more people are coming to Christ and submitting their lives to Him and accepting Him as Lord and Savior,” said the Rev. Philbert Kalisa, an Episcopal minister and founder of REACH, a Christian organization with a mission to help Rwandans reconcile.

Since 1997, Kalisa has been leading peace-building and conflict-management seminars across the nation. “The work of REACH-Rwanda with the people who were traumatized during the genocide of 1994 is so incredibly healing,” said Gerry Gardner, president of REACH-USA and staff member of Church of the Holy Spirit in Osprey, Fla.

“The atrocities are painful to hear about, but the hope that is rebuilding among the men, women and children in Rwanda is a model for the world, especially when one looks at what is going on in the Sudan and northern Uganda.”

Kalisa, who is Tutsi, fled with his family to nearby Burundi in 1961 to escape the persecution of the Tutsis families. He returned in 1995 and eventually founded REACH, an acronym for Reconciliation, Evangelism and Christian Healing, which seeks to first reconcile people to Christ.

“Our mission is broad; it is not only limited to the aftermath of the genocide,” he said. “We preach the gospel of reconciliation, calling and encouraging people to get reconciled with God and with one another.”

In addition to focusing on evangelism and reconciliation, REACH works with the Rwandan government and church groups to help relieve poverty and create jobs. REACH is currently raising money to buy and distribute motorcycles that will enable Rwandans to earn income as taxi drivers.

“Reconciliation requires that we are committed to setting all people free spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, socially and physically,” Kalisa said. “The church in today's society has no alternative but to provide holistic care to her flock.”

REACH volunteer Agnes Mukagasana, who is Hutu, said she was repeatedly raped during the genocide for being married to a Tutsi and felt betrayed by her family when her aunt and brothers turned her husband and children over to be killed because they were Tutsi. Feeling a deep sense of rejection, Mukagasana thought she had no one to turn to until she was introduced to Christ through the REACH program.

“God requests us to reconcile and forgive our enemies,” she said. “For the first time, I forgive. I forgive everyone who killed my family. I forgive those who raped me and my daughter. I forgive my in-laws, and I forgive even those that I don't know. I even forgive myself.”

Mukagasana now regularly visits those who killed her family in prison. She said living with hatred and anger for so many years continued to damage her long after the genocide ended. She now says that through Christ she has experienced more peace and joy than she had known even before her family was murdered.

Kalisa said the changes taking place in individuals and the nation as a whole can be attributed only to God's healing power. “When you look at how the country was destroyed, how the Rwandans killed each other … leaving hundreds of thousands of victims … no one could believe that these people would live together again in the same country,” he said.

“Now … people live together. No revenge. We have a united government where everyone is represented in parliament, army, police, and they work together to bring peace and unity among the Rwandans.”–Felicia Mann

Writers Strike Prompts Prayer in Hollywood

Recently 700 people gathered in Beverly Hills to pray for the end to the two-week writers’ strike that has halted production on many Hollywood studios.

Last Friday 700 people gathered for the National Media Prayer Breakfast at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., to pray for the end of the two-week writers’ strike that has halted production on many Hollywood studios, reported the Associated Press (AP).

“We pray that both groups would feel your supernatural guidance to stop blaming and posturing and start peacefully listening and negotiating,” prayed Geriann McIntosh, senior vice president of administration for Warner Bros. Television. “We pray that you keep everyone that is affected by the strike in your loving care.”

Many attendees at the breakfast, which was co-sponsored by the Hollywood Prayer Network and Mastermedia International Inc., focused prayers on quickly ending the strike to avoid massive job loss.

Prayer network founder Karen Covell, whose husband lost his job as a result of the strike, believes this is a critical time for Americans to pray for Hollywood, the AP reported.

“If it goes on for months it will shut down the income for families, and people need to start making tough decisions,” she said. “There is a lot of fear. There is a very current need for prayer.”

Covell added: “We are praying for it to be fast and fair and dealt with quickly.”