Autumn: A Spiritual Biography of the Season

By Edited by Gary Schmidt & Susan M. Felch

Gary Schmidt, professor of literature at Calvin College, has culled a collection of thoughts and reflections to aid in clarifying the spiritual themes of the season. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore centuries of fine literature focused on fall.From Autumn: A Spiritual Biography of the Season
I have been walking in the woods, and have lain down on the ground to rest. It is the middle of October, and around me, all through the woods, the leaves are quietly sifting down. The newly fallen leaves make a dry, comfortable bed, and I lie easy, coming to rest within myself as I seem to do nowadays only when I am in the woods . We must recover the sense of the majesty of creation, and the ability to be worshipful in its presence. – Wendell Berry

Autumn, with all its traditional images of colorful trees, frost-covered pumpkins, and piles of wood stored up against the cold of winter, can be a season filled with anticipation. The harvest, the imminent onset of cold and snow, the resumption of old routines, and the beginning of the school year all require preparation and planning. If summer has been something of a pause, autumn helps us to see the passage of time more clearly.

Autumn is a season of fruition and reaping, of thanksgiving and celebration of abundance and goodness of the earth. But it is also a season that starkly and realistically encourages us to see our own limitations.

Warm and stirring pieces by E. B. White, Anne Lamott, P. D. James, Julian of Norwich, May Sarton, Kimiko Hahn, and many others in this beautiful book rejoice in autumn as a time of preparation and reflection, when the results of hard labor are ripe for harvest.

Fall Cookie Cutter Set

Celebrate harvest, Fall, and Thanksgiving with batches of fresh homebaked cookies! Our gift set of four cookie cutters includes one each large maple leaf, apple, pumpkin, and turkey. Crafted in the USA of tin-coated steel, each cookie cutter is 1″ deep. Cookie cutter sizes range from 3″ to 4.5″
Packaged in clear acrylic gift box with striped fabric bow, this set of cookie cutters comes with nine recipes. A gift that’s both personal and affordable,fresh baked cookies go straight to the heart and are high on the list of best gifts ever!

Fall Foliage: The Mystery, Science, and Folklore of Autumn Leaves

By Charles W.G. Smith

Photographs of vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and greens grace every page as we read of the folklore, science and majesty of fall foliage. From Ash to Viburnums, over 35 different varieties of trees, shrubs, and vines are explored, including what region they’re from, shades of fall color and where specifically to find them. The concluding chapter explores the best places to see the displays of fall color, trails & roads to take, towns to visit and a list of resources. 130 pages, softcover.

Fall Is Here!: Counting 1 to 10

By Pamela Jane

Fall is here! Count the ways this season is so wonderful–from 1 acorn dropping and 5 children romping in the leaves to 10 enormous orange pumpkins! The pages get bigger as the numbers get larger until we see all the reasons why fall is fabulous! Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

P Is for Pumpkin: God’s Harvest Alphabet

By Kathy Jo Wargin & YaWen Ariel Pang

For God made the Earth–He made everything!
He makes all the wonders each season will bring.
He changes the colors on leaves big and small,
red, brown and yellow to tell us it’s Fall.Destined to become a family keepsake, this unique, jacketed hardcover celebrates the wonders of an entire season. With help from the alphabet, preschoolers journey through God’s harvest blessings–in the process discovering just how much there is to be thankful for! The fun is infectious as they learn to appreciate autumn for its beauty and bounty, opportunities to celebrate with friends and family, and traditions like barn dances, corn mazes, pumpkin carving, and more. Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Taste of Autumn

By Gooseberry Patch

Celebrate the crisp days of autumn with a Gooseberry Patch cookbook just for fall! Illustrated with country charm and packed to the brim with tasty recipes for the whole family! Comb binding, 222 delicious recipes and ideas for fun in the fall.

Count Your Blessings Flag, Small

Garden size applique flag features simple design with timeless message Count Your Blessings; 12″ x 16″; 100% durable nylon for display indoors or out. Cornucopia spilling over with pumpkins for fall decor at home, church, or school;available exclusively from Christianbook.com .

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, Small Art Flag

Traditional horn of plenty, spilling over with nature’s bounty, pumpkins and fruit of the harvest is displayed in realistic design on decorative flag for indoor/outdoor use. With words from the doxology, Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; autumn decor and Thanksgiving gift idea; for home or church. 12″ x 16″. Created exclusively for the Gift Collection at Christianbook.com.

Art flags are valued for their detailed design and quality reproduction of fine art. Because of the unique printing process, words are readable from one side of the flag.

Give Thanks Oval Chip and Dip Tray

In time for Thanksgiving, our scalloped oval glass tray with separate center bowl is designed for chips and dip or appetizers at your holiday gatherings. Shaded leaf design with multi-colored berry accents, and brown border trim the 12″ x 16″ platter. Oval inset bowl features Give Thanks in raised lettering; bordered in brown, with green leaf trim; 9.5″ x 6″. Use the bowl and platter separately as desired. Handwashing recommended.

Give Thanks for Many Blessings Pillow

More than just a decorative autumn accent, our fall pillow is embroidered Give thanks for many blessings. Corner fall motif embroidery with fine workmanship and piping edge finishing; 12″ x 7″; green with autumn shades. Stay in touch with friends and family when you send this unique Thanksgiving keepsake gift!

Our Daily Bread Mug with Gift Box

Ceramic mug in matching gift box features pretty artwork by Shelly Rasche of country bread basket design with blue checked border and inscription Give us this day our daily bread. On the reverse, The Lord’s Prayer is inscribed in its entirety. Mug holds 10 ounces and is safe for microwave and dishwasher. Affordable autumn gift favorite.

Signed, Anonymous: Shedding the Need for Acknowledgment

By Jon Johnston

* We live in a culture that celebrates giving by listing names on an alumni donor list or in the church bulletin. Calling believers to travel a different road, Johnston encourages you to experience the joy of anonymous giving. Discover the true meaning of charity by embracing the way of a generous heart in inconspicuous, humble service. 192 pages, softcover from Beacon Hill.

The Quick-Fix Home Organizer: Making Your Home Beautiful and Your Life Clutter Free

By Emilie Barnes

Got a minute? Use it to your advantage when you put Barnes’s fast and easy ideas into practice! Sharing ways to infuse peace and personality into your home and workspace, she helps you start and finish projects successfully, organize paperwork, get the most out of your daily planner, and more. Formerly titled The One-Minute Home Organizer. 144 pages, softcover from Harvest.

101 Ways to Clean Out the Clutter

By Emilie Barnes

Better than a how-to television show, this compact resource written by home management expert Emilie Barnes, can help you transform your home, church, or office into a clutter-free zone. With 101 tips to choose from, you’ll soon be on your way to ridding your rooms of piles, stacks, and disarray. Paperback.

By Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs’ book, Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, the Respect He Desperately Needs, is based on the biblical passage from Ephesians 5:33 (But every husband must love his wife as he loves himself, and wives should respect their husbands – GODS WORD® translation). His premise is that communication between a husband and wife is often frustrated because of the vastly different ways in which men and women perceive love. Women are wired to need unconditional love and men need to feel unconditionally respected. Revitalize the love in your marriage! A Focus on the Family Recommendation; hardcover.

By Gary Chapman

Dr. Gary Chapman, Christian marriage counselor and author of The Five Love Languages, helps married couples deal with their unmet needs for love. Because a husband and wife often have different communication styles, it is common for a spouse to not feel or recognize the love given to them. In his bestselling book, The Five Love Languages, Dr. Chapman identifies and explains five unique communication methods – Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. Then he encourages couples to learn how to speak love in their spouse’s primary love language, not their own. Love is something you do for someone else, not yourself. Begin today. Includes a study guide; paperback.

By Dr. James Dobson

Dr. James Dobson provides an empathetic look at the barriers to marital harmony, offering insightful and helpful suggestions on issues like low self-esteem, depression, loneliness and boredom in marriage, sexual problems, financial difficulties, hormonal and physiological problems and others. Both men and women will find his discussion interesting, often humorous and immensely practical to everyday living.

By Gary Thomas

The title expresses a radical thought for today’s marriages! Chapter by chapter, discover how marriage works to develop Christlike character – forgiveness, love, respect, perseverance – in each of you. This book will enrich your marriage in unexpected ways.

By Gary Thomas

By popular demand, the author of Sacred Marriage returns to the topic of how God uses marriage to expand our souls and make us holy. Using all new material, Devotions for a Sacred Marriage will help you to explore how God can reveal Himself through your marriage and help you to grow closer to Him as well as to your spouse. From the process of two becoming one, to the sharing of our lives as Christian brothers and sisters Devotions for a Sacred Marriage will challenge couples to embrace the profound and soul-stretching reality of Christian marriage.

By Dr. James & Shirley Dobson

Before you kiss each other and turn out the light, share a quiet moment together with God! Featuring engaging stories, Scripture readings, thought-provoking questions, prayers, and commentary, the Dobsons’ 6-month daily devotional will lead you and your spouse to a deeper intimacy and spiritual communion as you experience the “three person” marriage covenant God intended. 304 pages, softcover from Tyndale.

By Les Parrott & Leslie Parrott

Providing a firm foundation for couples stepping into an unfamiliar world, Les and Leslie Parrott’s best-selling marriage guide focuses on seven time-tested questions. Debunk myths, bridge the gender gap—even fight a good fight! Features the updated hardcover; leader’s guide; one men’s and one women’s workbook with self-tests; and an 8-session DVD presentation by the authors.

Fireproof, the latest film from the creators of Facing the Giants and Flywheel, is now available on DVD! Starring Kirk Cameron, the Fireproof movie portrays the inspiring love story of a firefighter, his wife, and a marriage worth rescuing. At work, Capt. Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) lives by the old firefighter’s adage: “Never leave your partner behind“. At home, he lives by his own rules. His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt has to face his toughest job ever, rescuing his wife’s heart. Rated PG. Approx. 119 minutes.

Bonus Features:

• Making of Fireproof
• Commentary from the K. Brothers
• Fireproof Study Guide
• Rescued Clips: Deleted Scenes
• Trailers
• Fun Features:
  ◊ Fireproof in 60 Seconds
  ◊ Firegoofs: Outtakes
  ◊ Wayne on Wayne Mockumentary
  ◊ Firehouse Pranks: On-Set Fun!
• Ministry Tools

Exclusive Collector’s Edition Features:

• Filming A Movie en 30 Days: Fireproof Video Blog
• Wayne’s Firehouse Commentary
• Fun with Mr. Rudolph
• Casting Crowns Music Video: “Slow Fade”
• Safe Eyes

DVD Features:

• English, Spanish, Portuguese Language (Audio)
• English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, Korean, and Arabic Subtitles
• English Closed Captions (for the hearing impaired)
• Widescreen

The Love Dare Bible Study Member Book creates a marriage-centered Bible study experience for individuals and couples. Eight small-group sessions are based around one or more movie clips from the motion picture FIREPROOF and connect couples to The Love Dare both during the session and throughout the week. It utilizes activities that create community, provide opportunities to dialog about real life in real marriage, explore and apply God’s Word, and invite participants into a risky but redemptive journey.

Guiding Principles:

• Participants will have experienced the movie either as a small group, in theatres, or as part of a churchwide showing
• Facilitator versus “leader” led
• Sessions refer to The Love Dare throughout
• While movie focuses on husband love-dare activities, this resource will include activities for both husbands and wives

Far too many of us have put our faith in a casual Christianity that never compels us to leave our comfort zones. But, deep within our hearts we know that Christ has not called us to comfort, but to an exciting, sacrificial and overwhelmingly fulfilling faith. In If You’re Going to Walk on Water John Ortberg teaches us how to step out of the “boat” of casual Christianity so that we can faithfully follow the Lord who is calling us out onto the risky, exciting waters of the high seas. Let Pastor Ortberg teach you how to leave your comfort zone for a remarkable life of faith.

The Treasure Principle, CBD-Exclusive Edition

By Randy Alcorn / Random House, Inc

In 2001, Alcorn first invited readers to partake in a revolution that called for radical generosity and freedom from materialism. This exclusive edition of his perennial bestseller features a provocative ending with challenging questions from God about our stewardship and a personal journal section. Discover how joyful giving brings God glory. 160 pages, hardcover from Multnomah.

Contagious Generosity: The Key to Continuous Blessing!

By Barry L. Cameron

“God loves a cheerful giver (II Cor. 9:7).” Not only of our monies, but time, talents and abilities. In “Contagious Generosity” Barry L. Cameron shows how a lifestyle of generosity is a normal and blessing-filled way to live the Christian life. By giving generously you can become an agent of God’s blessing to others.

Love that Works: The Heart & Science of Giving

By Bruce Brander

“Who taught us our oddly unsuccessful kind of love? Why, the princess and the frog, and a girl who lived with dwarfs, and a sooty young woman who lost a glass slipper that, as luck would have it, was found by a handsome prince. Our society is shot through with fables of romance that we absorb from earliest childhood.”Love That Works is a highly readable book that draws on history, theology, literature, psychology, and sociology to show why romance is a notoriously poor basis for stable, loving relationships. It provides essential background to those studying relationships in their own lives and in our society. Author Bruce Brander illuminates the reasons we find it so hard to find lasting love and he offers insights to guide us to greater emotional health and spiritual maturity. By applying lessons from history to our fast-paced world, we can not only learn to fall in love; we can also learn to rise to love.

The Life You’ve Always Wanted, CBD Limited Edition

By John Ortberg

Is your faith like “spiritual fire insurance” (I’ll rely on God when everything falls apart)? If it is, you’re missing out on God’s life-transforming power! In this CBD edition of his bestseller, Ortberg reveals how prayer, meditation, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines can bring you the fulfillment your heart desires. Includes study guide. 6.5 point font size. 272 pages, 4.5″ x 7″ hardcover from Zondervan.

The Purpose Driven Life, Softcover

By Rick Warren

In this remarkable best-seller Rick Warren will help you understand God’s purpose and plan for your life so that you can learn to live the life for which you were created. The book is divided into 40 short chapters so that it can either be read as a personal devotional or studied in a small group setting. Don’t let yourself or your family and friends go without this life-transforming book!

For additional resources, visit the Purpose-Driven Life Shop.

The Power of Positive Thinking, 50th Anniversary Edition

By Norman Vincent Peale

The Power of Positive Thinking has helped millions of men and women to achieve fulfillment in their lives. In this phenomenal bestseller, Dr. Peale demonstrates the powe of faith in action. With the practical techniques outlined in this book, you can energize your life – and give yoursel the initiative needed to carry out your ambitions and hopes You’ll learn how to believe in yourself and in everything y do, develop the power to reach your goals, break the worry habit and achieve a relaxed life. Paperback.

The Power of a Praying Woman

By Stormie Omartian

It may seem easier to pray for your spouse, your children, your friends, and your extended family, but God wants to hear your requests for your life too. He loves it when you come to Him for the things you need and ask Him to help you become the woman you have always longed to be. The Power of a Praying Woman has led countless women into deeper, more fulfilling prayer lives. Now, with a new cover, Omartian, through her knowledge of Scripture and candid examples of her own epiphanies in prayer, shows you how to:

• draw closer to God
• know His plans and purpose for your life
• receive comfort, help, and strength for every day

Trust Him moment by moment with the concerns of your heart and discover the awesome power that prayer will release in your life.

The largest study on strong families ever done is the foundation of this dynamic, interactive workbook. Over 14,000 strong families were carefully studied to learn what made them so successful. The accumulation of years of research – research that spans the entire globe – is now available to you in an easy-to-read, practical-to-live format. Open this book with confidence, put it into practice, and watch your family grow in love, trust, and acceptance.

Well known for her work with families and faith, Inside Out Faith moves beyond faith development in the family to intentionally living out that faith through service to one’s neighbors. Paperback.

You can stay involved in your adult child’s life through prayer! As your grownup child steps out into the real world, they will need your prayers more than ever. Through prayer, you can entrust them into God’s loving care. Using stories from other parents and insight gleaned from personal experience, Stormie Omartian will help you seek God’s guidance regarding your adult children and their career choices, sense of purpose, marriages, parenting skills, leadership, struggles, addictions, faith, and other important decisions they’ll have to make. Paperback.

You want the truth, not a sitcom illusion. You want authenticity not just perception. You want to know…Can stepfamilies be done right? Can God really bring beauty from ashes for your “blended” family? “Yes!” say stepmother and stepson Joann and Seth Webster. In spite of past experience you can walk with divine confidence, past failures and mixed expectations, to find hope for your future together. Joann and Seth Webster take you where few would ever tread, back into their painful years as a newly blended family when life revolved around “The Divorce,” the “Other Parents” and the codependat behavior of teenaged brothers who reenacted destructive roles that felt familiar. You will discover what every stepfamily must survive in order to thrive.

By Dr. Tim Kimmel

Raise confident, courageous, cooperative kids with this biblically based curriculum! Offering a refreshing alternative to more rigid approaches, Tim Kimmel helps you nurture your children by creating a family environment that brings out their best. Includes ten 15- to 20-minute sessions on 2 DVDs, 8 participant workbooks, facilitator guide and promotional materials on CD-ROM, and a copy of Kimmel’s award-winning book.

Now readers young and old can enjoy the classic adventures of Laura and her family as they survive and thrive on the American frontier! The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier past and a heartwarming, unforgettable story. These slipcased softcovers feature Garth Williams’s beloved original illustrations. Treasured reading for collectors and kids of all ages–especially 8- to 12-year-olds! This set includes the titles: Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years.

Follow the heartwarming and high-spirited adventures of the world’s favorite redhead! From hot-tempered orphan girl to contented mother of six, this captivating collection chronicles Anne’s life: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne’s House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, and Rilla of Ingleside. Eight slipcased softcovers. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

By C.S. Lewis

In the never-ending war between good and evil, The Chronicles of Narnia set the stage for battles of epic proportions. Some take place in vast fields, where the forces of light and darkness clash. But other battles occur within the small chambers of the heart and are equally decisive. Journeys to the ends of the world, fantastic creatures, betrayals, heroic deeds and friendships won and lost–all come together in an unforgettable world of magic. Let the adventures begin. Includes bonus excerpts and more. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

By J.R.R. Tolkien

One Ring to rule them all . . . and in the darkness bind them. The fantasy and drama of Middle-earth and its unforgettable characters, including Frodo, Gandalf the Wizard, Gimli the Dwarf, the hobbits—they’re all here in Tolkien’s timeless trilogy, now emblazoned with cover art from the films. Three slipcased softcovers, from Houghton Mifflin.

By J.R.R. Tolkien

For over fifty years, J.R.R. Tolkien’s peerless fantasy has accumulated worldwide acclaim as the greatest adventure tale ever written. No other writer has created a world as distinct as Middle-earth, complete with its own geography, history, languages, and legends. And no one has created characters as endearing as Tolkien’s large-hearted, hairy-footed hobbits. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings continues to seize the imaginations of readers of all ages, and this new three-volume paperback edition is designed to appeal to the youngest of them. It features the complete text with larger print and reader-friendly formatting. Recommended for ages 9 to 12. This is the original work, word for word, of the Lord of the Rings.

By Bruce Ammons & Ruthie Ammons

By Barry L. Cameron

“God loves a cheerful giver (II Cor. 9:7).” Not only of our monies, but time, talents and abilities. In “Contagious Generosity” Barry L. Cameron shows how a lifestyle of generosity is a normal and blessing-filled way to live the Christian life. By giving generously you can become an agent of God’s blessing to others.

By Barry L. Cameron

Is your money disappearing into the black hole of debt? Here’s just what you need to plug the leak! Offering sound advice for debt-free living, Cameron challenges you to take a hard look at your Attitude toward spending, avoid the Bondage of debt, and make a Choice to follow God’s plan for financial freedom. Paperback.

By Barry L. Cameron

In response to the overwhelming demand of the popular book The ABC’s of Financial Success, this workbook has been developed to compliment the book. The workbook will allow you to apply the Biblical principles taught in the book. The workbook also includes a CD to help you manage your finances and help you to become a financial success.

By Dave Ramsey

Get through all the myths and misconceptions of obtaining wealth and financial stability. Dave Ramsey takes readers through a nuts and bolts tactic to getting rid of debt and finding financial well-being. Gain hope and expose the ruse of the “American dream.” Uncover the pitfalls of cash advances and even debt consolidation. It’s a must-have guidebook for any family wanting to stay financially fit. The success stories speak for themselves and you’ll be one of them with an approach that works every time.

A unique blend of fiction, allegory, and inspiration, this book has motivated tens of thousands since its release in late 2002. Now this wildly successful parable is available in an affordable trade paper edition. This thought-provoking book encourages readers of all ages to reach their full potential using these simple keys to success.

As the perfect companion to The Traveler’s Gift, this journal will help to make the seven decisions for personal success your own. Most of us can relate to protagonist David Ponder’s yearning for success, and this book gives you the opportunity to record your own experiences as you internalize these decisions–just as David did in his travels. The journal is comprised of seven sections, one for each of the seven decisions for personal success, and is filled with quotes from the book and guided questions to direct readers to mapping their way toward their full potential. This book used together with the novel will prove to be a powerful combination for all who seek success.

The heart of Christianity is transformation—a relationship with God that impacts not just our “spiritual lives,” but every aspect of living. John Ortberg calls you back to the dynamic heartbeat of Christianity—God’s power to bring change and growth—and reveals both the how and why of transformation.

With a new chapter on prayer and added discussion questions, this expanded edition of The Life You’ve Always Wanted offers modern perspectives on the ancient path of the spiritual disciplines. But this is more than just a book about things to do to be a good Christian. It’s a road map toward true transformation that starts not with the individual but with the object of the journey—Jesus Christ.

Many of us spend a lifetime striving for the approval of our parents. Your parent’s approval affects how you view yourself and you ability to pass that approval on to your children, friends, and spouse. In The Blessing, John Trent and Gary Smalley present a life-changing gift the Bible calls “the blessing.” Five elements of the blessing are meaningful touch, spoken messages, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and an active commitment. Using the principles offerd here provides hope and healing for men and women who may have missed their parents’ blessing.

What is Satan’s master strategy? How does he use demons against us? Beam draws on biblical truths and personal experiences to open your eyes to the invisible but fierce warfare that is raging around you! He illuminates Satan’s dark schemes and explains the power of the cross so you can claim victory over his shadowy presence. 350 pages, softcover from Howard House.

Imagine yourself in the English countryside – walking down quiet lanes bordered by spring flowers. Picture God alongside you. From his own daily rambles through the magnificent Cotswolds, noted author Smith, shares these personal meditations to guide you to the heart of God. Refreshment and renewal for your eyes and soul.

Rediscover your feminine heart! As a young girl did you want to be a beautiful princess, rescued on a horse by a dashing prince charming, or step into the pages of a fascinating adventure? This new paperback edition of Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul encourages women to connect with their deepest feminine desires and learn to see God as their ultimate lover and hero.

Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, Wild at Heart, a guide to understanding Christian manhood and Christian men, offers a refreshing break from the chorus of voices urging men to be more responsible, reliable, dutiful … and dead. God designed men to be dangerous, says Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in every boy’s heart: to be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires—aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a “nice guy.” It’s no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives women a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be—dangerous, passionate, alive, and free.