Vibes

The Organic God
By Margaret Feinberg, Zondervan, hardcover, 224 pages, $.
Margaret Feinberg has a knack for winning her readers over with her authenticity. In The Organic God, Feinberg gives us the opportunity to peel back the layers of notions that man has about God, and she releases a picture of God in His purest, most organic form. She looks at the fundamental driving forces of who God is, examines the heart of God and demonstrates the amazing passion with which He pursues us based on these characteristics. This book is like looking into Feinberg’s journal as she illustrates the beauty of God through her own personal stories and experiences. You will walk away from this book refreshed after discovering that God’s relationship with you isn’t as complex as you’ve made it out to be, and the depth of His character and love is staggering.

Rob Duford

BOOKS

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God
By Lysa TerKeurst, Harvest House Publishers, softcover, 160 pages, $.
Seeking to answer the question, “What happens when women say yes to God,” Lysa TerKeurst, president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and national radio show co-host, explains how her life changed by simply obeying God and giving her Bible to a stranger on a plane. Saying “yes” to God, or radical obedience, brings a depth to your relationship with God that comes no other way. This book includes Bible study activities at the end of each chapter to help readers explore how to apply the concepts in their lives. TerKeurst’s book is a valuable read for women who want to deepen their relationships with Christ.
Tracee N. Mason

A Woman’s Path to True Significance
By Beverly LaHaye and Janice Crouse,
Harvest House Publishers, softcover, 299 pages, $.
In A Woman’s Path to True Significance, speaker Beverly LaHaye and university professor Janice Crouse team up to celebrate women who have endured trials and tragedies through the power of Christ. Through practical teaching and vivid storytelling, LaHaye and Crouse illustrate lessons on how to have courage when life falls apart. The book’s central message is that God cares about the smallest details of our lives and will help us in hard times. The book deals with how to develop fortitude, wisdom, boldness, obedience and endurance through the lives of unlikely role models of women from the Bible, such as the prostitute Rahab and the widow Tamar, who purposefully slept with her father-in-law. Readers who are looking for hope in their day of disaster will be encouraged.
Tracee N. Mason

Transforming the Inner Man
By John Loren Sandford and Paula Sandford,
Charisma House, softcover, 240 pages, $.
John Loren and Paula Sanford, best-selling authors and speakers known for their inner-healing ministry, hold the biblical position that mankind’s maladies originate with sin. They emphasize that applying God’s treatment for sin—the death and resurrection of Jesus—is the only way to help individuals attain wholeness. With a solid scriptural foundation, the authors explain that the first step to transformation is accepting God’s forgiveness, and the second is a repeated putting to death of the fleshly nature. The counselors point out the folly of negating God’s law in order to lessen guilt, and instead call readers to embrace it as the standard of love, recognizing that God uses guilt to steer His children in the right direction. Transforming the Inner Man is a refreshing, life-giving read that will build believers’ personal maturity and enable them to be better counselors to others.
Deborah L. Delk

Roll Away Your Stone
By Dutch Sheets, Bethany House, hardcover, 192 pages, $.
In Roll Away Your Stone: Living in the Power of the Risen Christ, Dutch Sheets provides an action plan—five steps to spiritual victory: (1) believing in Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross; (2) abiding in God’s Word; (3) knowing the truth; (4) claiming release and spiritual freedom; and (5) persevering until life’s end. This book is not only about knowing who Christ is or knowing who you are in Him but also about taking that knowledge, applying it to your life and living as if it is true. This is Sheets’ life message. He presents it not for you to gain head knowledge but so you can acquire an applied faith that frees you and works as a radical, permanent solution to bringing to life the dead places in your spirit.
Jevon Bolden

How to Overcome Fear and Live Your Life to the Fullest
By Marcos Witt, Atria Books, hardcover, 224 pages, $23.
Writing a “how to” book on overcoming fear can be an intimidating task itself. So how does Marcos Witt approach the challenge? With straightforward honesty, well-known but effective Bible stories and candid personal anecdotes. In How to Overcome Fear, Witt, a senior pastor at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church and Latin Grammy Award winner, provides insights into various types of fear, such as phobias, panic attacks, rejection, failure and criticism. He then gives solid practical advice for defeating them through knowledge, lifestyle changes and depending on God’s strength. Witt explains that many fears are grounded in past events, but God’s perfect love will overcome any fear and free the believer to live a victorious future. Witt closes by examining the one fear that needs to be cultivated in every Christian’s life—the fear of God.
Jeff Friend

MUSIC

Sharecropper’s Seed
By Nicole C. Mullen, Word Records.
This new offering from Nicole C. Mullen is a journey through some of the most beautiful passages in Scripture. A Sharecropper’s Seed is peaceful, determined and full of conviction. Songs such as “Convinced” and “Under the Shadow” are delivered with the divinely inspired words of the psalmist David and the apostle Paul. Mullen has invited listeners in with songs of love and vulnerability to God almighty. Songs such as “When I Grow Up,” “Fall on You” and “Baby Love,” remind us that we are to come to God as innocent and dependent as little children. A Sharecropper’s Seed is bright, carefree and airy—a fragrant and fresh aid to worshiping God.
Jevon Bolden

When Women Worship
By Mary Alessi & friends, Miami Life Sounds Records.
Mary Alessi recruited friends Cindy Cruse Ratcliff, Amie Dockery, Ingrid Rosario, Nicole Binion and Da’dra Crawford Greathouse, and twin sister Martha Munizzi for a live worship experience. When Women Worship features mostly a mellow gospel feel with two inspiring sermon interludes by Dockery, “The King Is Enthralled With Your Beauty” and “Decorating Nations (Conceiving the Impossible).” The project is a cohesive mix, with various singers of similar ability and style taking turns at lead and the group worshiping together on songs such as the stirring gospel ballad “Overshadow Me,” the delicate “Always Welcome” and a grand gospel version of Michael W. Smith’s “Agnus Dei” closing out the session. Although recorded live with an audience, the disc manages to capture and project a personal worship feel, using a more relaxed musical pace, simple production and spoken personal challenges.
Dewayne Hamby

The Blessing
By John Waller, Beach Street.
For the astute Christian music fan, the first listen to John Waller’s voice will sound strangely familiar. That’s because before his foray into worship leading and a solo career, he was the front man for pop-rock band According to John. Now more than ever, Waller seems to have found his voice in an ever-growing population of worship-driven artists. He uniquely incorporates biblical metaphors on songs such as “Calling for a Flood” and takes Scripture-based songs to a new level of creativity on tracks such as “The Blessing,” which also features Casting Crowns lead singer Mark Hall. Waller’s mix of acoustic, electric and orchestral instrumentation along with his strong melodies and equally strong tenor voice make for a captivating and above-average debut.
Chad Bonham

Supernatural
By Hillsong, Integrity Music.
Three thousand kids worship God ostentatiously in this latest live worship CD from Hillsong Kids. Supernatural: Kids Live Worship is loud, energetic and passionate about kids all out for God. There is no denying that “out of the mouths of babes” comes some of the highest praise. Songs such as “On the March” prepare kids for the many battles they have at school, with their peers and within themselves. They can memorize the different pieces of armor and know to put it on when faced with difficult situations. Other popular worship songs appear on this CD, including “Not Forgotten” by Israel and the New Breed, “Better Than Life” and “Everyday.” This is a great musical package any kid would love to hear over and over again!
Jevon Bolden

Creation Museum Opens to Capacity Crowds

On May 28 a first-of-its-kind Creation Museum opened its doors to an estimated 4,000 people representing more than 30 states and two countries.

On May 28 Answers in Genesis opened the doors to a first-of-its-kind Creation Museum that explores the Bible’s account of the world’s origins.

By the days end an estimated 4,000 people representing 32 states and two Canadian provinces had toured this $27 million “apologetics museum.”

Ken Ham, president of the Kentucky-based ministry, says that the museum will help Christians defend their faith. “The purpose of the museum is to use observational science to show that the Bible is true, its history is true and therefore the gospel is true,” Ham said. “There are a lot of Ph.D. scientists who believe what the Bible teaches. Both creationists and evolutionists use the same science, and the same evidence – the difference is our pre-existing beliefs [about origins].”

Complete with animatronic human figures, high-quality video, two planetariums and life-size dinosaur replicas, the museum takes visitors through what Ham calls the seven Cs of history: creation, corruption, catastrophe, confusion, Christ, the cross and consummation. At the end of the tour, the gospel is presented through a theatrical presentation. “As they walk through biblical history, they experience it, read signs and watch videos that answer the skeptical questions of the age,” Ham says. “At the end they will understand the Bible’s history is true. It’s an evangelistic museum.”

A former public school teacher in Australia, Ham believes the museum will be an important teaching tool for those who have learned about evolution in school but aren’t sure how to counter its proponents’ arguments. He also hopes it will challenge Christians who embrace evolution. Located in northern Kentucky, just minutes from the Cincinnati airport, the museum will be open seven days a week until after Labor Day . —Adrienne S. Gaines

Millions Gathered to Pray on Pentecost Sunday

An estimated 400 million Christians are believed to have gathered in more than 200 nations worldwide for numerous Global Day of Prayer events.

Roughly 400 million Christians are believed to have gathered in more than 200 nations worldwide for numerous Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) events held on Pentecost Sunday. Although detailed statistics are still being assembled, believers from countries such as Korea, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States gathered under the prayer banner of 2 Chronicles 7:14. In Nigeria millions gathered in the economic capital of Lagos to pray for their nation and the world just days ahead of their new president taking office. In Dallas, a service hosted by T.D. Jakes of The Potter’s House, evangelist Luis Palau and pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas drew many to pray in Reunion Arena. In London tens of thousands of Christians from a multitude of denominations packed into the West Ham United Football Club in East London to pray for their nation and the globe. GDOP founder Graham Power and 47 others climbed to the top of the largest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, reaching the summit on Pentecost Sunday. They planted a cross, offered prayers of repentance and interceded for revival and restoration around the world. Ninety Days of Blessing follows the GDOP as an opportunity for Christians to not only continue in persistent prayer, but to also become actively involved in outreach ministry and evangelism. —Janet Sebastian in Johannesburg, South Africa

Global Day of Prayer to be Broadcast Live Sunday

Nations around the world will unite in prayer for the third annual Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) on Pentecost Sunday, May 27.

Nations around the world will unite in prayer for the third annual Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) on Pentecost Sunday, May 27. A three-hour television special, hosted by T.D. Jakes of The Potter’s House, evangelist Luis Palau and pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, will broadcast from the Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (EST). The global prayer day began in March 2001 with more than 45,000 Christians gathering to unite in prayer at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Last year, 199 countries participated in the event. As part of a three-phase strategy, the celebration began May 17 with 10 days of 24-hour prayer and was to end with 90 days of blessing. The Dallas GDOP event will be broadcast live on GodTV.

Thousands Attend FalwellÃ¢Â€Â™s Funeral

Thousands attended the funeral services for the Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. May 22 at his Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va.

The funeral service for the Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. was on May 22 at his Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va. Among the guests were the Rev. Franklin Graham, who spoke during the funeral; Gary Bauer president of American Values; Paige Patterson, president of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Falwell was remembered as a prominent voice in the Christian conservative community. He founded the Moral Majority in 1979 and credited his organization with helping Ronald Reagan get elected president in 1980. Even after he stepped down from leading the Moral Majority in 1987, he continued to oppose abortion, gay marriage and bans on school prayer. “Jerry has been a tower of strength on many of the moral issues which have confronted our nation,” Robertson said. Falwell died May 15 after being found unconscious in his Liberty University office. “So many in politics aren't recognizing the social and moral issues in our society,” Roy Moore, the Alabama judge who fought to display a Ten Commandments monument, told the AP. “People like Jerry Falwell were bold enough to speak out.” After the service, a private burial was held on the grounds of Liberty University near Falwell's office.

Hamas Proves to be Terror Group “˜Through and Through,” Says Olmert

After battling Fatah and cross-border attacks on Israel, Hamas further isolates itself as a party of Islamic extremism

Top government officials in Israel last week authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to respond to what has since been a week-long barrage of Kassam rockets launched from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, striking targets in Sderot and an Israeli high school in Negev.

Observers say Palestinian members of Hamas, the terrorist organization involved in fierce infighting in Gaza with rival Fatah, are attempting to draw Israel into the Palestinian conflict, which could descend into civil war as Israeli air strikes on Hamas are promulgated by the terrorist group as an Israeli alliance with Fatah.

At the outset of the unrest, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resisted calls to order the evacuation of southern Israeli communities. “I oppose population evacuations,” he said. “These are the exact pictures that Hamas has been waiting for and I am not prepared to grant any victory to terrorism.”

Olmert said Hamas’ behavior demonstrated a bold but double-minded approach to politics. “The Hamas government is behind the terrorist actions [against Israel] and it cannot be that it also seeks international recognition and economic assistance from the nations of the world,” he said. “The Hamas terrorist organization, which constitutes a significant part of the Palestinian Authority (PA) government, has again proven to the entire world that it is a murderous terrorist organization through and through.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that Israel views the Palestinian government itself as fully responsible for the violence in, and spilling from, the Gaza Strip. “The situation in the last two days is unbearable,” she said last week.

Livni said Israel has exercised great restraint, but that there needed to be an end to the daily attacks on Israeli civilians from the Gaza Strip—land that Israel’s former prime minister handed over to the Palestinians in August 2005 in hopes of encouraging its leadership to become viable partners in the peace process. In democratic elections five months later Palestinians gave Hamas a majority in parliament.

“For no reason, and because of some internal disagreements in the Palestinian Authority, someone has decided to strike the residents of Sderot (Israel) in such a massive and severe manner. This is something we cannot accept,” said Livni.

The latest violence in Gaza effectively disintegrated an already fragile Palestinian unity government formed in March in Saudi Arabia between the radical Islamic Hamas and the more secular Fatah. It also put on permanent hold potential peace talks between Israel and the PA.

“We must understand that no one has a magic solution,” said Livni. “We will have to act, and the time period will be determined by the circumstances.”

Prayer Exposed Terrorist Attack, Leaders Say

New Jersey prayer leaders believe prophetic intercession played a crucial role in the unveiling of a terrorist plot to attack the Fort Dix Army base.

Prayer Exposed Terrorist Plot, Leaders Say

New Jersey prayer leaders believe prophetic intercession played a crucial role in the unveiling of a terrorist plot to attack the Fort Dix Army base. Chuck Pierce, founder of Glory of Zion International Ministries, was a guest prayer leader in Trenton, N.J., on May 3, this year’s National Day of Prayer. Pierce said he felt God leading him to New Jersey. “By the Spirit I knew last week [May 6-13] was key for our nation, but God said I was to be in New Jersey and not Washington D.C.,” Pierce said. Just one week before the major terrorist attack on the military base was foiled Pierce prophesied over the state of New Jersey, “within a week … there is an awakening that is beginning and you have chosen New Jersey for that awakening.” Pierce continued: “The Lord is focusing on New Jersey. We agree that the battle will be turned at the gate! New Jersey is a key place. This year New Jersey will begin to take an incredible turn. You will hear about it and you will see it.” On May 8 reports surfaced that six men had been arrested for their involvement in a plot to enter the New Jersey military base with rocket propelled grenades, intending to kill as many soldiers as possible. Since July 2006, after Pierce said New Jersey was at a crossroads, residents of the state reported having corporate prayer gatherings, along with “angelic” sightings and other signs and wonders.

Jerry Falwell Dies at 73

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority, died May 15 shortly after he was found unconscious in his Liberty University office. He was 73.

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority, died May 15 shortly after he was found unconscious in his Liberty University office, the Associated Press (AP) reported. He was 73. Ron Godwin, executive vice-president of the Lynchburg, college, said Falwell had a history of heart problems, but he was unsure what caused the minister to collapse. Founder and senior pastor of 22,000-member Thomas Road Baptist Church, Falwell became a prominent voice for the Christian conservative community after abortion was legalized in 1973. He founded the Moral Majority in 1979 and credited the organization with helping to put Ronald Reagan into office in 1980. He stepped down as its leader in 1987 but continued to oppose abortion, gay marriage and bans on school prayer. “Jerry has been a tower of strength on many of the moral issues which have confronted our nation,” said Christian Broadcasting Network founder Pat Robertson, who launched the Christian Coalition of America in 1988. “Jerry's courage and strength of convictions will be sadly missed in this time of increasing moral relativism.” Falwell made careful plans to transition his leadership to his two sons, Jerry Falwell, Jr., currently vice chancellor of Liberty University, and Jonathan Falwell, the executive pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church. In addition to his two sons, Falwell is survived by his wife of 49 years, Macel, and his daughter.

Reaching the Illiterate With Technology

More illiterate people are being reached with the gospel thanks in part to a hand-held solar-powered digital audio Bible called the “Ambassador.”

As technology advances in the 21st century, great evangelistic advances are being forged. Today more illiterate people are being reached with the gospel thanks in part to a hand-held solar-powered digital audio Bible called the “Ambassador.” Smaller than a cell phone it is capable of playing 10 hours of the Bible in any language. “The device is unlike any other evangelistic tool in history,” said Jim Subers, executive director of MegaVoice (), the Kansas-based company producing the devices. “When you give people access to the Word of God, it’s not just words, it is the power of God; it is living and active.” Currently there are more than 1 billion illiterate people in the world, many of whom have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. In an effort to reach them, MegaVoice has distributed more than 50,000 devices worldwide. “We’re getting testimonies from every part of the globe—from Muslims … to Hindus to Buddhists [who come to faith] through the audio Scripture delivered on these devices,” Subers said. Missionary Heidi Baker said the Ambassador has helped expand her ministry. Baker, who co-founded Iris Ministries with her husband, Rolland, has distributed 1,000 devices to people in Mozambique. “It’s like the bread of life is offered to them verbally so they can understand it.” She hopes her ministry will be able to distribute 6,000 more devices. “We’re working with groups that used to be unreached. … We’re reaching them now,” Baker said. —Suzy A. Richardson

Universities Have More Majors in Religion

Some officials are attributing this surge to the prominence of the religious right in politics, catastrophic events and evangelical students enrolling in secular colleges.

Many American universities are seeing a surge in students interested in religion. Compared with the last decade, “there is a greater interest in religion on campus, both intellectually and spiritually,” Charles L. Cohen, a professor of history and religious studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, told The New York Times. Dozens of interviews with various universities showed that more students are choosing to live in dormitories where religion and spirituality are a part of the everyday conversation, and some are joining discussion groups that address topics such as what happens after death, The Times reported. In a 2004 study conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, two-thirds of 112,000 freshmen surveyed said they prayed and nearly 80 percent said they believed in God. The survey also showed that half the respondents were searching for spiritual growth. Some university officials attribute the surge in religious interest to the prominence of the religious right in politics. Others believe catastrophic events—such as hurricanes, tsunamis and Sept. 11—have caused students to turn more to religion. An increase in evangelical students who now attend secular universities is also a contributing factor. Although some sociologists say there hasn't been enough research to proclaim that students' attitudes toward religion have dramatically changed, others say there has been a noticeable shift. “All I hear from everybody is yes, there is growing interest in religion and spirituality and an openness on college campuses,” said University of Notre Dame sociology professor Christian Smith. “Everybody who is talking about it says something seems to be going on.”