Vibes

Cracking the Communication Code
By Emerson Eggerichs,
Integrity Publishers, hardcover, 304 pages, $22.99.

In his latest book, Cracking the Communication Code: The Secret to Speaking Your Mate’s Language, Emerson Eggerichs enthusiastically explains how husbands and wives can learn to live in harmony and even become positively energized by each other. The author, who has a master’s in communication, a master of divinity and a Ph.D. in child and family ecology, uses the principles from his book Love and Respect to provide a successful communication approach for any couple. Eggerichs’ overview of the principles in this follow-up release serves as a refresher for those who have read the previous title, but also gets new readers up to speed. Eggerichs explains the God-designed differences between men and women. He also describes the responsibilities each gender has to show unconditional love or respect for the other. With the lessons gleaned from Eggerichs’ book, couples will find themselves one—or even two—steps closer to cracking the communication code.
Kristi Shores

BOOKS

Delivering the Captives
By Alice Smith, Bethany House, softcover, 192 pages, $14.99.

Strategically getting to the root of a problem is the main theme in Delivering the Captives: Understanding the Strongman and How to Defeat Him by Alice Smith. “Whatever God hasn’t planted must be uprooted,” Smith says, “which will require our renouncing evil connections that would otherwise limit our liberty in Christ.” By recognizing where in our lives we have opened a door to evil influences, we can take responsibility for the ungodly things in our lives. When we see that we have allowed a stronghold to be built, we then have the authority to tear it down. The message in this book bypasses the symptoms of evil and gets right to the root—the strongman. Through personal stories of her ministry experience, Smith illustrates and teaches us how to unravel the power of the strongman and defeat him for good! Delivering the Captives is stocked with prayers and spiritual tools that will effectively set you on a path of freedom and victory.
JEVON BOLDEN

Breaking the Bonds of Evil
By Rebecca Greenwood, Chosen, softcover, 208 pages, $12.99.

In Breaking the Bonds of Evil: How to Set People Free From Demonic Oppression, Rebecca Greenwood offers an essential weapon for the arsenal of any believer looking to live out the full gospel of Jesus Christ. The author takes the reader step by step through defining and teaching what it means to be delivered to how to bring deliverance or freedom to those who are held captive by evil forces. She declares that through the cross we have authority to live a life free from the influence and control of our enemy, Satan. Greenwood also answers many questions that seem to go unresolved such as “Can Christians have demons?” Breaking the Bonds of Evil is an atlas of sorts, mapping the way to freedom for so many who lost their way and became entangled in Satan’s grasp.
JEVON BOLDEN

Defiant Joy!
By Carol McLeod, Vision Imprints Publishing, softcover, 208 pages, $13.99.

Carol McLeod thinks many Christians are like whiny, spoiled brats, acting as if the world revolves around them. Instead they could be experiencing joy—a joy that doesn’t come cheap, but gets you through the worst of times. McLeod, a pastor’s wife, mother of five, and a speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, challenges Christian women in her book, Defiant Joy!, to rise to the challenge: “Joy is not a spin-off of obedience to God, but joy is obedience to God.” The price to pay is daily quiet time, reading the Bible, and being on guard against emotional diversions such as bitterness and worry. McLeod writes that instead of letting emotions rule, women desperate for God’s joy can just choose to have it.
MARSHA GALLARDO

Redefine
By Thomas Nelson Inc., softcover,
416 pages, $16.99.

BibleZines are Bibles formatted as magazines with articles interspersed with Scripture. Redefine is the BibleZine for baby boomers, those born between 1940 and 1960. This New Century Version of the New Testament flows around articles by Chuck Swindoll, Max Lucado and others, and covers topics such as relating to adult children, missions trips, health and other issues relevant for this age group. BibleZines might not become Bibles used for everyday study, especially after the articles have been read. But the articles are likely to bring the
Scriptures to life in a whole new way, enhancing readers’ lives and relationships with the Lord.
LEIGH DEVORE

MUSIC

Return
By The Anointed Pace Sisters, Tyscot Records.

The Anointed Pace Sisters have spent decades creating soul-stirring gospel music. Return is no exception. The eight sisters jump-start the CD with the get-your-praise-on “High Praise.” And cuts such as “Reign Forever,” “Strategically Ordered,” “Contentment,” “The Words U Said,” “Hold On” and “Rescue” create a sense of joy or surrender as the group shuffles between Pentecostal praise and radical worship. Known for their testimonial-style singing, the sisters deliver strong messages of victory and assurance with cuts that include “It’s Already Done,” “God’s World” and “He’s Here,” featuring LaShun Pace. The project concludes with a message of hope and everlasting life with “Return.” Listeners who enjoy gospel music that stirs the soul and reaches the heart won’t be disappointed with this CD.

FAITH LOWE

Holy!
By Terry MacAlmon,

Terry MacAlmon Ministries.

On his latest CD, Holy!, Terry MacAlmon is accompanied by the Prague Symphony Orchestra as he leads listeners through an hour of instrumental praise comprised of two classically arranged suites. Each suite starts gently, interweaving MacAlmon’s soothing piano artistry with solo performances by David Cleveland (acoustic guitar), Kevin Burns (flugelhorn), Lucie Svehlova (violin), Roger Martin (flute) and Roger Weismeyer (oboe). As each suite builds, MacAlmon’s performance becomes more complex, though avoiding the keyboard “gymnastics” that often transform musical exaltation into unnecessary showmanship. Many of the songs are original compositions by MacAlmon. Yet, the musical sense of awe and praise they convey easily transcends their unfamiliarity. This and the printed lyrics on the CD’s inlay, provide further insight into MacAlmon’s anointing to magnify God’s glory and holiness. The bonus track “Love Theme (A Wedding Song)” gently provides the perfect ending to this stirring collection of worship songs.
RANDY WRIGHT

Portable Sounds
By TobyMac, Forefront Records.

In a musical age known for its over-produced, ultra studio-generated sound, TobyMac’s third studio release, Portable Sounds, stands apart as a perfect combination of pure musicality and fresh, new melodies. TobyMac continues with the unique blend of rock and hip-hop that has landed him a spot as one of Christian music’s most successful artists, while adding more soul singing than on previous albums. Collaborations with artists such as Kirk Franklin, Joanna Valencia, and American Idol finalist Mandisa, help add strength of vocals, allowing TobyMac to showcase his creativity and signature style. Starting off with the already popular “Made to Love,” TobyMac showcases what is to come on Portable Sounds, with the ever-present live instrumentals and gritty, grass-roots sound that is his own. Other highlights include the funk infused “Boomin,” the reggae-esque “No Ordinary Love” and the CD-closing “Lose My Soul,” which brings personal honesty from TobyMac in a prayer-like anthem.
ELISABETH BURNS

TELEVISION

Planet Earth
Discovery Channel.

Descend 1,300 feet in the Cave of Swallows in Mexico. See the courtship ritual of Pink River dolphins. Watch more than 100 sailfish hunt together.

Discovery Channel’s new series Planet Earth offers numerous breath-taking images of places and animals rarely seen. The 11, hour-long episodes took more than five years and 2,000 hours to create. Filmmakers used highly sophisticated technology and occasionally had to wait many hours to capture the rare images.

The first episode, “Pole to Pole,” takes viewers to both extremes. Travel to the frigid plains of the North Pole and visit the emperor penguins.

While the female penguins leave to hunt for food, the males stay behind to incubate their eggs. The group lives in a massive rotating huddle to protect one another from the harsh winter.

Then travel to the Kalahari Desert in Africa as elephants, buffalo, baboons and other animals travel hundreds of miles through sand storms and glaring heat to reach the Okavango Swamp for water. Dive underwater and watch a young elephant swim.

In nature there is always danger and some animals die. But the scenes are not overly gruesome and should not be disturbing to most ages.
Viewers will be even more keenly aware of God’s amazing plan and realize that everything works together. God is a meticulous creator and the earth showcases His creativity.
LEIGH DEVORE

SUSPENSE

No Legal Grounds
By James Scott Bell, Zondervan,
softcover, 352 pages, $13.99.

Sam Trask is a successful attorney who is finally living for Christ, has a great marriage and has balance in his life. But someone threatens to divulge secrets from his checkered past that could ruin everything. Sam and his family are in danger, but it seems the law can’t help. He has a choice: do nothing or take the law into his own hands.

MYSTERY

Deception
By Randy Alcorn, Multnomah, hardcover, 432 pages, $19.99.

While working a case of a murdered professor, homicide detective Ollie Chandler concludes that the perpetrator might have been another homicide detective. In the process of this investigation, a detective is murdered. Ollie is determined to dig through the mess of lies and secrets to find the truth.

HISTORICAL

Bittersweet
By Cathy Marie Hake, Bethany House, softcover, 384 pages, $13.99.

Just as Galen O’Sullivan begins to think of Laney McCain as more than just his best friend’s little sister, he is forced into a shotgun wedding—with another woman. Even though Galen is innocent, he is bound to his word and his new wife. Laney and Galen must let go of their love and trust God no matter the outcome.

New On DVD

The Nativity Story
New Line
Home Entertainment
$28.98

The Nativity Story showcases the cultural difficulties Joseph and Mary faced as they prepared to become parents to God’s only Son. This young couple was challenged to remain faithful to each other and to God. This film is rated PG for some violent content. Download resources at nativityresources.com.

Moe and the Big Exit
Big Idea Inc.
$14.99

Moe and the Big Exit is based on the story of Moses. Cowboy Moe (Larry the Cucumber) lives a fine life in Dodgeball City, but his kinfolk have to work hard. The mayor refuses Moe’s request to set his family free, so this cowboy does what has to be done. This DVD includes commentary, a discussion guide and additional fun features.

Flicka
Fox Home
Entertainment
$29.98

Katy McLaughlin wants to prove that she can train the wild stallion Flicka. Based on the classic novel My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara, this film displays breath-taking scenery and beautiful horses. Flicka is rated PG for mild language. The somewhat tense father-daughter relationship could serve as a catalyst for dialogue.

Students Trade Partying for Ministry

During spring break this year, more than 4,000 students chose to participate in philanthropic activities.

Christian spring break alternatives have grown in popularity among high school and college students in recent years. “Across America universities have taken an active notice that there are many college students that aren’t particularly motivated to participate in the traditional spring break … what I call sun, sand, surfs, suds and sex,” said Tony Arnold, media relations director for Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC). “Millennials, the college students of this generation, they are very interested in being active and involved in helping America and the world become a better place.” Instead of partying their spring breaks away some young people are choosing more philanthropic activities. More than 4,000 students worked with CCC to help rebuild areas in New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina; evangelize the 4 million college students in Mexico City; and minister to the poor in cities such as Chicago, Detroit and Los Angles. In Panama City Beach, Fla., some 1,300 students witnessed on the beach, by pools and outside nightclubs in an outreach dubbed “The Big Break.” “Students from our ministry are able to [speak to] students from around the country and turn that conversation to spiritual areas and introduce students to Jesus,” Arnold said. This year alone CCC has recorded 2,500 student conversations about spiritual matters and roughly 80 decisions for Christ. –Felicia Mann

Explosions in Mozambique Kills 93

Missionaries Rolland and Heidi Baker founder's of Iris ministries in Mozambique report no death's or injuries to their ministry volunteers.

Last week a depot housing old weapons remaining from Mozambique’s devastating civil war exploded, killing 93 people and injuring hundreds more. According to CNN, the explosion was due to the blistering heat, which overheated the building. Missionaries Rolland and Heidi Baker of Iris Ministries have served in Mozambique for the last 12 years and report damage to their physical structures but no injuries or deaths to the ministry’s volunteers. “Shrapnel and missiles rained down on a radius of 10 kilometers,” Rolland said. “At least two missiles directly struck our Zimpeto base. Others kept flying over the center. Our church was hit, but our children were huddling in our prayer hut. It’s miraculous that no children were hurt.” Ministry volunteers report protecting the children in the prayer hut for almost five hours until the bombs and missiles stopped exploding. “We just prayed and prayed and sang to the Lord,” said Anna Coumos, a 21-year-old volunteer with the ministry. “We met death face to face and walked away in victory. God is perfect and His ways we will never understand, but He is faithful. We have lived through Psalm 91.” She asked intercessors to pray that the ministry would be able to meet people’s physical, spiritual and emotional needs in the explosion’s aftermath. “Please pray for the healing of shock and trauma,” Coumos said. “For me, every time I hear a drum or a loud truck rumbling by or a kid whistling like that sound of a missile flying through the air, I just cringe and feel so awful inside.” Nearly a month ago Mozambique was devastated by floods and cyclones that hit this impoverished country.

Study Finds Values Movies More Profitable Than R-Rated

Films with very strong Christian values fared three times better at the box office than ones with very strong non-Christian values.

For films released between 2002 and 2006, ones with very strong Christian values fared three times better at the box office than ones with very strong non-Christian values, according to a recent study by MovieGuide, a Christian movie review company. The study compared films with explicit Christian content such as The Nativity Story and movies with morally uplifting themes such as Charlotte’s Web to films with strongly unbiblical worldviews such as The Da Vinci Code and Brokeback Mountain. Though there were 116 uplifting films and 299 strongly non-Christian films, MovieGuide found that films with Christian values earned more collectively than those with non-Christian worldviews. “American moviegoers want movies with overt Christian values and biblical worldviews,” said Ted Baehr, leader of the research team and founder of MovieGuide. “They don't want to see movies that mock their faith and values.”

Photo Credit: Jamie Trueblood/New Line Cinema

Christians Participate in Global Day of Prayer for Burma

Roughly 1 million people from Burma have been displaced from their homes as a result of the destruction caused by an ongoing internal conflict.

Christians from around the world participated in a prayer day designed to raise awareness about the plight of the Karen people of Burma, which has been under a military dictatorship since 1962. Roughly 1 million Karen have been displaced from their homes as a result of destruction caused by an ongoing internal conflict, reported Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which organized the Global Day of Prayer for Burma along with Karen Aid, the Karen Action Group and the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People. The prayer day was held in London on March 10. “[CSW] believes that prayer changes things in ways beyond our imagination,” said Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s chief executive officer, the Christian Post reported. “Burma is a country that needs prayer—for the regime, for those suffering oppression and for those helping to change people’s despair to hope.” Among the prayer targets were for God’s truth and love to penetrate Burma; for lasting peace and freedom in the nation; and for the restoration of democracy, ethnic rights and freedom for all political prisoners, the Concerned for Burma Web site reported.

Gilbert E. Patterson Dies

G. E. Patterson, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), died March 20 after battling prostate cancer. He was 67.

Gilbert E. Patterson, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), died March 20 after battling prostate cancer. He was 67. Senior pastor of 12,000-member Temple of Deliverance COGIC in Memphis, Tenn., Patterson had led the nation’s largest Pentecostal denomination since November 2000. “Under his leadership we've seen tremendous strides toward true spirituality,” Bishop George D. McKinney, overseer of COGIC’s San Diego jurisdiction and a member of the church's General Board, told Memphis’ Fox 13 News. Even after announcing in September 2005 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, Patterson remained active in ministry. He was seen in weekly broadcasts from his church that aired on Trinity Broadcasting Network and Black Entertainment Television. “It was a direct result of his work, such as his TV ministries, that allowed people to see COGIC as it should have been projected,” Bishop Jerry Maynard told Fox 13 News. Patterson leaves two leadership positions vacant, but COGIC leaders said filling those seats is not their immediate focus. “We have lost a great leader, and we are in mourning,” said Bishop Charles Blake, who is now serving as the denomination’s interim presiding bishop. “Time will take care of all those leadership issues. Right now we must reflect on the great leadership of Bishop G.E. Patterson. We’re not focusing on succession. Right now we want to focus on the bishop’s family and how we can help them.” Senior pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Blake will lead the 5.5 million-member denomination until its next election is held in November 2008 or until a special election is called. Patterson is survived by his wife of 35 years, Louise.

Mozambique Floods Help Bring Revival

Missionaries Rolland and Heidi Baker report that Mozambicans are accepting Christ and being healed despite the widespread destruction.

The recent torrential floods that washed over Mozambique devastated infrastructures and have left tens of thousands of people without homes and in need of food. But missionaries Rolland and Heidi Baker, who lead Iris Ministries in Mozambique, said the widespread destruction has also caused residents to be more open to hearing about Jesus. “No one resists the gospel,” Rolland Baker said. “Everyone is eagerly listening to every word, responding to every call, wanting prayer for everything.” The prayer requests are numerous, he said, as many people have gone without food for weeks and are living in huts made from sticks and grass. Many also are very sick or have died from diseases that have started to spread. Iris Ministries is helping to meet physical needs while some Mozambican pastors are praying for residents. Together, the efforts are bringing a glimmer of hope, Baker said. One result is that they have received several reports of physical healing, he said. “We always have good news,” Baker said. “We tell the people, ‘Jesus knows your suffering.’ Through all of this we will seek Him more, and He will reveal Himself more than we ever thought He would.” The Bakers say that although God is moving in this southeastern African country much of the promised relief has yet to arrive and area residents need humanitarian support from Christians abroad. To learn more about assisting Iris Ministries’ relief work, log on at www.irismin.org. –Felicia Mann

BattleCry Pushes Past Controversy to Worship God

Roughly 22,000 young people gathered to worship God in San Francisco, a city known for its ultraliberal politics.

Last weekend 22,000 young people gathered for Teen Mania’s BattleCry event at the AT&T stadium in San Francisco. Teen Mania founder Ron Luce said teens are inundated with negative images and activities in the culture and that BattleCry events are a way to give teens positive alternatives. “They're pillaging these kids,” Luce told the San Francisco Chronicle. “We've got a whole generation, an innocent generation, a virgin generation being raped on the sidewalk by the perverseness of this culture.” Luce said BattleCry is an example of positive cultural alternatives. The two-day event included a rock concert featuring popular Christian bands, speakers, a comedian and a rally at City Hall. During last year’s BattleCry event in San Francisco, an abortion protest led to a verbal brawl with city officials, causing some local leaders to criticize this year’s conference, the Chronicle reported. But despite the controversy, participants said it was incredible to see so many young people praising God and standing up for their beliefs. “Just seeing all the people in one place, it’s amazing to see just how powerful God is,” Seongwoo Chae, 18, told the Chronicle. This was the first of three BattleCry events scheduled this year; the other two will be held in Detroit and Baltimore.

AG Summit Issues Prayer Challenge

Prayer summit attendees were challenged to 'cry out' for the Holy Spirit's fire and warned against having a New Testament Christianity without an emphasis on the Holy Spirit.

The Assemblies of God (AG), concluded a prayer summit March 7 that drew 1,400 people to Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Mo. On opening night, Rev. Jim Cymbala, senior pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City, challenged attendees to “cry out” for the fire of the Holy Spirit in their churches and their personal prayer lives. “How sad to travel around the country and world and see churches trying to have a Christianity that represents the New Testament without an understanding and an emphasis on the ministry of the Holy Spirit,” he told attendees. AG leaders said the summit was held to encourage believers to become knowledgeable about prayer and to allow the Holy Spirit to invigorate their prayer lives. “The devil does not care how much we talk about prayer, how much we preach about prayer,” General Superintendent Thomas E. Trask admonished. “We didn’t call a prayer summit just to preach about prayer. We are going to pray.”

Earl Paulk Sexual Misconduct Case Dropped

The sexual misconduct lawsuit that was filed against Atlanta minister Earl Paulk was dropped on Monday.

The lawyer for Bobby and Mona Brewer dropped a sexual misconduct lawsuit filed against Atlanta minister Earl Paulk, founder of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, on Monday, less than a month before it was scheduled for trial, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The Brewers filed suit in 2005, alleging that Paulk used his role as a spiritual leader to coerce Mona Brewer, a former church soloist, into having a 14-year affair with him. Paulk's lawyer acknowledged that Paulk had a sexual relationship with Mona Brewer but said she initiated it. The couple’s lawyer, Louis Levenson, said he dropped the case because he was having difficulty getting witnesses to testify against Paulk and was experiencing long delays in preparing the case, the newspaper said. Levenson dropped the case just before DeKalb Superior Court Judge Mark Anthony Scott was to rule on Paulk's lawyers’ motion by to dismiss the allegations on grounds that the couple waited too long to file suit under Georgia law. Because he dropped the case before the ruling, Levenson can file another suit with the same allegations, the Journal-Constitution. Currently, the Brewers ha ve not announced plans to refile the lawsuit.