Vibes

SPOTLIGHT

Prayer Storm


By James W. Goll, Destiny Image, softcover, 282 pages, $15.99.

James W. Goll is issuing Christians an urgent summons to join
an army of intercessors. His newest book, Prayer Storm: The Hour That
Changes the World, is both a call to and a
comprehensive manual on intercessory prayer. Inspired by the Moravian
Lampstand, a round-the-clock prayer meeting that began in 1727 and
lasted more than 110 years, Goll has initiated the Prayer Storm.
Joining with other modern prayer movements, he set up a Web site
where intercessors can sign up for a weekly hourlong slot for prayer.
The site features prayer topics and special prayer alerts. In the book,
the author begins with the need for intercessory prayer and teaches how
to engage in it. The book goes on to give details about the main focus
of this particular initiative, which includes prayer for revival in the
church, our youth, crisis intervention and Israel. But he also lists in
the appendix other prominent prayer groups and their focuses as well.
This is an excellent resource to inspire prayer and to give direction
on how to be involved in a global strategic-prayer movement.

—Deborah L. Delk

BOOKS

Living Water

By Brother Yun, Zondervan, softcover, 320 pages, $14.99.

In Living Water, Brother Yun says Christians need the
flowing water of the presence of God and the fire of the Holy Spirit to
have effective lives. Yun exhorts the Western church to be willing to
suffer and writes about the occasions when he was jailed for preaching
the gospel. Yun also wrote the international best-seller The Heavenly Man, which shares his personal story of becoming a Christian preacher in China, where the communist government is hostile to Christians. Living Water is
thought-provoking and unpretentious. It is divided into three
sections—Freedom in Christ, Streams of Living Water and Soldiers for
Christ—in which Yun teaches Christians how to maintain a fervent faith
that causes others to hunger for salvation. Yun writes, “Our role is
simply to hear [God’s] voice, to give our lives unreservedly so that we
may become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and to obey His command to reach
this sick and hurting world.”
—TRACEE N. MASON

Believe That You Can

By Jentezen Franklin, Charisma House, hardcover, 256 pages, $21.99.

In Believe That You Can, pastor-author Jentezen
Franklin shares how you can both unleash and reach God’s dream for your
life. Franklin gives six stages to birthing every dream: I thought it.
I caught it. I bought it. I sought it. I got it. I taught it. He
explains how the birthing process takes you from an idea to reality. He
also tells through examples from Scripture and personal experience how
to live your dreams and visions. He emphasizes the importance of
writing down your dreams, turning personal liabilities into assets and
being determined. Loaded with practical advice, this book provides
motivation for anyone who desires to turn dreams into reality.
—TRACEE N. MASON

Israel’s Anointing

By Sandra Teplinsky, Chosen, softcover, 224 pages, 14.99.

As a Jewish believer in Jesus, Sandra Teplinsky wants to see
the blessings of Israel imparted to the international body of Christ.
Building on the current wave of appreciation for the Jewish people and
the foundations of Christian faith, Teplinsky seeks to share
Messiah-centered truths with gentiles so they can love and serve God
more intimately and join forces to create a united spiritual front. In Israel’s Anointing she
says Jews are coming to faith in numbers not seen since the book of
Acts. She believes that a company of believers made up of Messianic
Jews and gentiles is being outfitted for battle to be the “Messianic
Warrior Bride.” Not only will this “fresh warrior spirit” take the
church through the end times, Teplinsky believes, but also we can enjoy
heaven on earth during the Messianic millennium—1,000 years of glorious
governmental, kingdom rule here on earth. Teplinsky believes there are
practices that need to be observed to make it happen. She is an
advocate for holiness, keeping the Sabbath, fulfilling the law and
living a Torah-observant lifestyle.

—MARSHA GALLARDO

Making Sense of Spiritual Warfare

By Eddie Smith, Bethany House, softcover, 208 pages, $14.99.

Eddie Smith tries to demystify the many theories floating
around about spiritual warfare. Whether you’re attempting to swing a
spiritual sword at principalities or just seeking solutions to personal
and family problems, Smith will set you straight on what is actually
biblical and what is as wild as an urban myth. He warns against
spiritualizing everything in life and thinking salvation brings freedom
from temptation. His challenge to readers is to win battles over sin
and to move into the next level of warfare. Smith explains how the
enemy targets the lost by blinding them and how he attacks the family
and seduces children. He gives deliverance guidelines that may rattle
your convictions. He compares attacking Satan with the way a team of
engineering experts destroys a large structure. The secret isn’t
knowing how much explosive to use; it is knowing where to place it.

—MARSHA GALLARDO

God’s Big Idea

By Myles Munroe, Destiny Image, softcover, 240 pages $24.99.

Myles Munroe’s latest release, God’s Big Idea: Reclaiming God’s Original Purpose for Your Life,
is simultaneously depressing and inspiring. It is depressing because
the Bahamian pastor, author and leadership mentor spells out how the
church is falling short of implementing God’s big idea—to bring the
kingdom of heaven to earth. Yet it also inspires because Munroe, who
uses hefty samplings of Scripture to buttress his case, shows the
difference that living by God’s Word instead of cultural dictates can
make. As an example, he cites a restaurant manager who turned around a
failing business in months because of her reliance on scriptural
principles. Supporting the author’s argument is the fact that
Christians lack societal influence because so many fail to live a
lifestyle that sets them apart from the world. As Munroe says, people
are sick of religion but hungry to see Christ in action. He suggests
that instead of spending so much time thinking about heaven we focus on
making a difference right now.
—KEN WALKER

MUSIC

Image of a Man

By Marvin Winans Jr., M2 Entertainment.

The son of gospel greats Marvin and Vickie Winans, Marvin
Winans Jr. has a young sound that makes you want to dance. His urban
flair has been compared to that of Chris Brown and Alicia Keyes.
Winans, who has also produced a number of artists, including his mom,
writes music and plays the keyboard. According to Winans, the theme of Image of a Man
is what a man is and what a man is supposed to be. The song “You Never
Let Me Down” has a Caribbean-influenced sound. And the song “Feel It
All” is about the need to reconcile broken relationships. This is a
good CD to listen to personally or to give to evangelize an unsaved
friend. Marvin Winans Jr. continues the family tradition of
trend-setting, popular music.
—TRACEE N. MASON

The Bridge

By Anthony Evans, EMI Gospel.

Anthony Evans, the son of popular pastor, author and speaker Tony Evans, reaches out on The Bridge to
listeners with contemporary worship songs that have a soulful edge. The
CD opens with “Glory to the King,” a contemporary worship song that is
noticeable for its jazzy beat. Standards such as “Blessed Be Your
Name,” “Here I Am to Worship” and “Let It Rain” make this an album that
easily leads to raised hands and words of praise to God. Evans’
songwriting talents are featured on the song “The Way You Love Me,” a
tender ballad of God’s love. This CD is not merely entertaining; it is
a worship experience.
—TRACEE N. MASON

Today Is the Day

By Lincoln Brewster, Integrity Music.

Today Is the Day has a popular, guitar-filled sound
that energizes Lincoln Brewster’s release. The title track is a fast
and fun song about putting the past behind and keeping our eyes on
Jesus. “The Power of Your Name” is about living to be compassionate in
this world through the power of Christ. The slower melody of “God You
Reign” has the lyrics: “You paint the night / You count the stars and
You call them by name / The skies will claim / God You reign.”
Brewster’s background as worship arts pastor at Bayside Church near
Sacramento, Calif., is evident throughout this CD with lyrics that
celebrate God’s nature such as those in “Everywhere I Go.” Brewster’s
music has a positive outlook and an upbeat sound. If you want to
worship with an edge, Today Is the Day is a winner.
—TRACEE N. MASON

FICTION

Farraday Road

By Ace Collins, Zondervan, hardcover, 352 pages, $15.99.

One night Lije Evans and his wife are gunned down. But the
killers don’t know that Evans, a lawyer, survived and is now on a
mission to find them. Evans becomes a target, but he finds proof of a
conspiracy to kill his wife, and he is determined to find the truth and
to help save an innocent man on death row.

HISTORICAL

Until We Reach Home

By Lynn Austin, Bethany House, softcover, 432 pages, $13.99.

After Elin, Kirsten and Sofia’s parents die, life in Sweden is
harder than ever. As the sisters make their way to America to live with
relatives, they face multiple hardships. They question their decision
to leave their homeland and wonder if their hopes and dreams will ever
be realized. But through their journey they each discover the real
meaning of home.

CONTEMPORARY

One Perfect Day

By Lauraine Snelling, FaithWords, softcover, 320 pages, $13.99.

One parent’s loss is another parent’s provision. A mother of
twin high school seniors wants her children’s last Christmas at home to
be unforgettable. But the unthinkable happens—a child is killed in an
accident. Another mother’s daughter needs a new heart. One mom retreats
in her grief. And the other mother has to learn to accept a miracle
even in the midst of grief and tragedy.