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BOOK HIGHLIGHT — War of Words by Paul David Tripp

War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles by Paul David Tripp

256 pages | List Price: $14.99 | Paperback

Summary

“Talk” seems so normal, so ordinary, so harmless. Yet there are few things we do that are more important. And underneath the normality of it all is a great struggle, a war of words that we fight every day.

Who hasn’t been hurt by the words of another? Who hasn’t regretted something they said? Who hasn’t had to referee an argument? Who hasn’t wanted to talk seriously with a loved one, yet there seems to be no time?

Recognizing that words are powerful, Paul Tripp shows us how the gospel transforms the way we communicate. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word is the only hope for our words. In our war of words, he is the one who gives us the victory. Tripp directs us to a renewed reliance on our heavenly Father’s abundant grace and a more Christ-honoring, people-benefiting life of talk.

Endorsements

“An important and biblical book about our words and our God. Few of us really think about the power, the blessing, the gift, the effect, and the danger of our words. This book will make you think before you speak. Best of all, it will make you think of him before you speak. Read it. You’ll be glad.”

—Steve Brown

“Filled with searching and realistic and honest illustrations . . . coupled with large doses of biblical truth. . . . you will be challenged, convicted, enlightened, and encouraged in this extremely important dimension of your relationship with God and with other people. . . . a volume to which you will turn again and again.”

—Wayne A. Mack

“Paul Tripp does not offer superficial solutions to our failures of communication. He recognizes that the spiritual quality of our words emanates from our hearts. This book is must reading for us all.”

—Tremper Longman III

“If your mouth is your downfall, don’t pass over this book for fear of getting your knuckles rapped. Author Paul Tripp has blown it too! But he’s learning how to change by God’s grace, and he’s sharing that grace with anyone who will listen.”

—Steve Estes

“Until our hearts are completely purified by God in heaven, we must set strong guards at the gates of our mouths and fight daily battles to restrain the overflow of our sinful desires. I have never before read such helpful insights and practical tools for this battle. I enthusiastically recommend War of Words.”

—Ken Sande

About the Author

Paul David Tripp is president of Paul Tripp Ministries, a nonprofit organization whose mission statement is “Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.” This mission leads Paul to weekly speaking engagements around the world. Paul is also the Professor of Pastoral Life and Care at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas, Texas, and the Executive Director of the Center for Pastoral Life and Care in Fort Worth, Texas, and has taught at respected institutions worldwide. As an author, Paul has written ten books on Christian living that are read and distributed internationally. He has been married for many years to Luella, and they have four grown children. For speaking engagements and other information see http://www.paultripp.com.

 

AUTHOR HIGHLIGHT — Jeremiah W. Montgomery

Jeremiah W. Montgomery is the pastor of Resurrection Presbyterian Church (OPC) in State College, Pennsylvania. He has been an engineer, an essayist, and a pipemaker. He and his wife have four sons who love to read and a little girl who cannot wait to begin. He is the author of the The Dark Harvest Trilogy.

 1. The Dark Faith

368 pages | Direct Price: $14.99 $9.00 | Paperback | Sample Chapter

Summary — An epic struggle against evil commences as Morumus, a devout monk, seeks to unearth the truth of the Dark Faith. But while he seeks a weapon against it, dark currents drag him toward a dangerous conspiracy . . .

2. The Scarlet Bishop

304 pages | Direct Price: $14.99 $9.00 | Paperback | Sample Chapter

Summary — War looms as Morumus and Oethur, narrowly escaping the Red Order, seek Urien’s help to decipher the secret of the ancient Bone Codex. All the while the Dark Faith’s shadow continues to spread . . .

3. The Threefold Cord

320 pages | Direct Price: $14.99 $9.00 | Paperback | Sample Chapter

Summary — The Dark Faith ignites war throughout Aeld Gowan as Morumus embarks on a secret mission, Oethur risks everything for queen and crown, and Urien is captured by the Scarlet Bishop.


The Dark Harvest Trilogy

Direct Price: $41.99 $21.00

Who’s in Charge? What Esther Teaches Us about God’s Providence

Written by Jane Roach, (God’s Mysterious Ways)

Who is in charge?

This is the fundamental question that the Serpent posed to Eve and to every person since Eden. This question is in the forefront of our minds even when we are young. When one of my grandsons was three years old, his mother left him in my care at my home. As she was driving away, he put his hands on his hips, pulled back his shoulders, looked at me, and asked with an authoritative tone, “Well, who’s in charge here?”

After I got over the shock, I got down to his level and looked him in the eye, replying, “You are not.” He literally shook with surprise. We had a lovely conversation with him sitting on my lap as I explained that he was our guest and we were responsible for his care when he was with us. He was satisfied, and we had a wonderful time together.

People ask this question in many different ways:

Is there a God?

If so, what is he like? How does he relate to the world and to people today?

Is there objective truth? Are there objective standards? Does God have a Son?

How many ways are there to salvation?

Is God a person or a force? What does it mean to be nice to other people?

Who are the Jews, and why is their history filled with efforts to eliminate them?

What part does God play in evil? Where is our world headed?

What can we do to change the direction? Who decides the answers to these questions?

I have encountered people who answer these questions without a frame of reference outside themselves. They sincerely believe mutually exclusive statements at the same time and see no contradiction.

The need to know God as he has revealed himself in the Bible prompted me to teach a women’s Bible study of the book of Esther, emphasizing the providence of God. It was delightful to encounter the class members in the community and hear them talking about God’s providence, a topic previously not part of their conversations.

God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, yet it has many hints of his presence. The compelling narrative presents God as the all-powerful one who sovereignly directs history according to his predetermined plan. Esther provides answers for how the Old and New Testaments are related through the Bible’s big story of redemption. It has a message of hope for God’s people. While the world attempts to change the decrees of God the Creator, they will not succeed. God, not political leaders, will have the final say in what is right and wrong. God providentially watches over his people, and nothing and no one will ultimately prevail against them. In fact, those who attempt to destroy God’s people find themselves fighting against God.

“Who is God, and how does he relate to the world and people today?” are questions answered in the book of Esther. The values of the Persian Empire look very much like those of our own day. Even in the professing church, people are often more concerned with what they have or do or appear to be than with who they are. The spectacular gets our attention rather than the ordinary providence of God at work in our lives. Pop culture and the news celebrate those who assert their independence from God rather than the faithful who trust God day after day, in success and failure, sickness and health, joy and sorrow. When it seems God is nowhere to be seen, he is at work. God is already where we will be tomorrow. He is working out his divine plan for his glory and our eternal good. We need no “plan B”; God’s perfect plan is being accomplished. The book of Esther invites you to take God at his Word in the mysterious fulfillment of all his promises. Its message is needed in the world today.

Esther is a book named for a woman, but it is part of God’s revelation for all—men, women, and children. God reveals his providence that we may understand it and embrace it for our lives. To embrace means to cherish and hold dear. May you see and embrace God’s providence in your personal life, your family, your church, your nation, and the world through taking a step back in time into the historical narrative of Esther.


Are you ready to begin or dive deeper into the book of Esther? To get you started, we’ve put together a free guide from Jane Roach on the book’s first chapter. Jane will walk you through the passage, showing how God uses the sinful actions of men and women to set the stage for his ultimate plan. Study questions are provided to help you to apply the text in your life.

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NEW RELEASE — Faithfulness: No More Excuses by Lou Priolo

Faithfulness: No More Excuses by Lou Priolo

32 Pages | List Price: $4.99 | BookletResources for Biblical Living series

Summary

Faithfulness is one of the most important qualities for Christian service. Are you faithful? There are some simple, and perhaps surprising, ways to find out. Biblical counselor Lou Priolo defines faithfulness and provides three tests for assessing your trustworthiness. Through instruction and straightforward exercises, he helps you to turn from fear and excuses and embrace your God-given responsibilities.

Endorsement

“The people who make the greatest impact for Christ always have one thing in common. They’ve learned to be faithful. If you want to live all out for Christ, Lou Priolo will help you to see the importance of faithfulness, give you a clear explanation of what faithfulness looks like, motivate you to pursue faithfulness, and help you to know how to become more a faithful and fruitful person in your day-to-day life.”

—Joshua Mack, Pastor-teacher of Living Hope Church, Pretoria, South Africa

About the Author

Lou Priolo is the founder and president of Competent to Counsel International and is an instructor with Birmingham Theological Seminary. He has been a full-time biblical counselor since 1985 and is a fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Lou lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife, Kim, and his daughters, Sophia and Gabriella.

NEW RELEASE — The Revolt: A Novel in Wycliffe’s England by Douglas Bond

The Revolt: A Novel in Wycliffe’s England by Douglas Bond

272 pages | List Price: $11.99 | Paperback

Summary

As a secretary at the battle of Crécy, Hugh West’all has come close to death many times in his short career. But when he leaves the war behind to enter the stone halls of Oxford, he meets John of Wycliffe and soon embarks on a mission even more exciting—and perhaps just as dangerous. Using his scribe’s quill to translate the Bible into English, the language of the common people, Hugh begins to understand the beauty of the gospel as never before. But he and his friends are not safe. The corrupt and decadent church is planning to choke Wycliffe’s translation and silence him forever.

Endorsements

“Douglas Bond uses his unique writing style to produce a highly readable imagining of the travails of John Wycliffe, the 14th century ‘heretic’ who dared to make the eternal truths of the Bible accessible to the marginalized people group of his day: English peasants. This vivid and exciting narrative reminds us of the very real challenges to Bible translation over the centuries and of the importance in carrying out the work he started.”

—Bob Creson, President and CEO, Wycliffe Bible Translators

“The gilded histories often fail to note how extraordinary times invade ordinary lives. Douglas Bond paints the days of John Wycliffe in full color, showing that the Morningstar rose over filthy streets and jaded lives—and brought real hope to hearts in bondage.”

—Jeremiah W. Montgomery, Author, The Dark Harvest Trilogy

The Revolt is a feast for the senses filled with accounts of battles, deception, heartache, integrity, and devotion.”

—Chuck Bentley, CEO, Crown Financial Ministries

About the Author

Douglas Bond is the author of a number of books of historical fiction and biography. He and his wife have two daughters and four sons. Bond is an elder in the Presbyterian Church of America, a teacher, a conference speaker, and a leader of church history tours. Visit his website at www.bondbooks.net.