The Jesus Bible NIV

Don't let the title fool you. This is not the Bible Jesus used nor an encyclopedia of Jesus. It is, however, the full Old and New Testament in the New International Version that gives pointers to finding Jesus in every book of the Bible.

It was produced with kids in mind. The words of Jesus are in red, there is a nice concordance in the back to help with topics of interest.

Each book has an introduction that provides the "Where's Jesus in...", quick devotionals are scattered inside, application boxes to help someone "live like Jesus" are found with the text and there are guide posts: "hints of a Savior" and "Jesus revealed" that give a fuller look at prophecy and fulfillment in Jesus.

This is a fun hardback Bible for pre-teens and young teenagers to use in their studies.

It will fit most medium-sized covers.

You don't get the glossy images typical of a "kids" Bible but you get what you can take right?

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Zondervan Publishing.

How to be Rich by Andy Stanley

This is a smaller paperback designed to go with a DVD study.

Pastor Andy Stanley walks readers through the typical Christian understanding of money, tithing and generosity.

I can remember an argument against tithing because a person could give so much more if they waited to give in one lump sum at retirement. But, like Andy explains, tithing isn't about the amount a person gives - it's about the "heart"; it's about trusting God.

While I have read many books on finances and Dave Ramsey's ideas, this book is more pastoral in tone.

What sets this apart is the fantastic stories that bookend the chapters. These illustrations are both interesting and informative. Do you know the origins of the vaccination process? You will after reading this book and you'll be able to connect that story with taking care of your finances.

Andy is a hit and miss author for me. Some books I can't get enough of and others I just can't get into. This book was a quick, fun read.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Zondervan Publishing.

Bedtime Prayers that End with a Hug by Stephen Elkins

Fifty-two is the magic number.

Fifty-two prayers to read with your child that cover topics of importance for kids. (patience, giving thanks, loving others)

These are quick reads too keep attention - no worries about keeping their minds entertained for longer stories. The pictures will catch their eyes and hold them with you as you read the prayer, quote the Scripture verse and then finish with a goodnight hug.

Prayer time no longer has to be awkward as you go through the endless list of "things we're thankful for". This book will help form prayer habits at an early age. It helps teach boys and girls that praying doesn't have to be such a chore.

The only thing that would make this book better would be if it came scented with lavender!

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale House Publishing.

Water Walker by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker has returned to his genius writing.

Water Walker is a sequel, of sorts, to Eyes Wide Open and Outlaw. I say of sorts because this is Ted Dekker we're talking about and he gets his thrills by twisting his readers into all sorts of knots and leaving them breathless for the next story.

In Water Walker meet an orphan named Alice living with her foster parents - moments before her birth mother kidnaps her. The FBI is on the case as well as the mysterious Stephen introduced in the final pages of Eyes Wide Open and Outlaw. Is Alice to be rescued or shouldn't she live with her real mother?

Those questions are only skin deep right? The real purpose of this story breathed new life into my relationship with God. It's a theme that Dekker has been exploring since his final co-authored book with Tosca Lee, Sovereign. And what is that theme? Ah, for that you need to read this book.

I promise you, you will not be able to get the ideas out of your head. You will contemplate the implications long after the last page is turned. You will want to break free just as some of the characters desire.

This is the book true Dekker fans will flock to and will loudly cheer the return of the mind-bending, soul-twisting author genius of Mr. Ted Dekker. You will be refreshed, friends. You will be challenged and your spirit will leap for light!

I cannot wait for the next one in the Outlaw series.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Worthy Publishing.

Ministering to Problem People in Your Church by Marshall Shelley

This is a re-release of Well-Intentioned Dragons. It has added content in relation to online issues such as Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

I read the earlier edition of this book back when I was interning as a youth pastor. It gave me great insight into the people who create problems for pastors in churches.

Now that I'm a senior pastor I read this updated version and, so help me, found myself getting angry at the Problem People in the many stories shared.

As you read the examples/testimonies of other pastors, I couldn't believe how extreme some "Christians" could be. (And I've read this before!)

Make no mistake, there will always be problem people in churches - well-intentioned or not, pastors will always have a source of stress in their ministry. This book provides a release valve exploring how responses to such people can be appropriate and what God-honoring steps can be taken.

This is a fantastic book - the stories just aggravated me because I still can't get over how mean Christians can be.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Bethany House Publishing.

The World of the New Testament edited by Joel Green & Lee McDonald

This is one big book of information.

For those curious about the culture of the New Testament times, this read will give you a very nice overview. They tackle the many different sects, backgrounds, and ideas during the times of Jesus and his contemporaries.

I don't want to say some might be overwhelmed by the amount of information they pack into this book, but you will feel brain-packed if you can finished this cover to cover.

It's quite easy to pick a chapter from the beginning and just skip around to what interests you at the time. Spanning the time of the exile all the way beyond the Israelite borders to other cultures, you will get a decent sense of what the world was like in the ancient east.

The first couple segments will deal with outside religious practices and cultures. The third segment inserts Judaism into that Greco/Roman worldview while the last couple segments opens it up to the Christian mindset of the first century.

This is a good book for a university student or even for the shelf of a minister.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Baker Publishing.