Category: literature

Bible study, Bible verses, book reviews, Christian formation, Christianity, discipleship, evil, faith, God, Israel, literature, Nashville, Scriptures, sin, Tennessee Christian news, Thomas Nelson, womenLeave a comment

Author says God is love, but not nice

Jason Reynolds

“Perhaps faith is really about pursuing God in the midst of uncertainty.”   By JASON REYNOLDS Tennessee Christian News NASHVILLE – “God is not nice.” Those are not exactly words you would expect to hear from a Christian, much less a discipleship pastor. They make for a great opening, however, for a book exploring God’s confusing and often disappointing actions in a sin-sick world. Heather Zempel wrestles with God’s seemingly contradictory nature in “Amazed and Confused: When God’s Actions Collide With Our Expectations.” Zempel is discipleship pastor at National Community Church in Washington, D.C. Thomas Nelson Publishers officially launched the … Continue reading Author says God is love, but not nice

anti-Christian worldview, children, Christianity, literature, students, youthsLeave a comment

Idaho School Board Pulls Profane Novel Mocking Jesus

Jason Reynolds

(Parental warning: This news brief is at least PG-13 if not R due to a word in the last paragraph. This word is written in white; if you want to view it, highlight it with your mouse.) A school board in Meridian, Idaho, has voted to pull a controversial novel from its 10th grade curriculum after parents complained about its profane and vulgar language and anti-Christian sentiments, Christian News Net reports. The Meridian School Board voted 2-1 this past week to remove The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian from the supplemental reading list. The novel, written by Sherman … Continue reading Idaho School Board Pulls Profane Novel Mocking Jesus

Bible, Bible study, Bible verses, book reviews, Christian formation, Christianity, faith, God, Jesus, literature, Nashville, Tennessee, Tennessee Christian news, Thomas NelsonLeave a comment

‘No Cape Required’: Follow Jesus with help of Superman, Jane Eyre, other fictional characters

Jason Reynolds

By JASON REYNOLDS Tennessee Christian News NASHVILLE — A devotional from Nelson Books connects readers with Jesus with a little help from Spider-Man, Capt. James T. Kirk and Jane Eyre. “No Cape Required: 52 Ways to Unleash Your Inner Hero” provides one devotional for each week using a portion of Scripture, a fictional hero’s anecdote, and a guide for prayer and taking action. Kristen Parrish, editor-in-chief of Nelson books, is the author of “No Cape Required.” The book was released in December and is available for  $15.99 from bookstores and in e-book format. Nelson Books is an imprint of Thomas … Continue reading ‘No Cape Required’: Follow Jesus with help of Superman, Jane Eyre, other fictional characters

Bible, Christ, Christian books, Christian music, Christianity, church, evangelism, faith, God, history, Jesus, literature, persecution, Tennessee, Tennessee Christian news, Thomas Nelson, United KingdomLeave a comment

Stories of King James Bible, William Tyndale come alive

Jason Reynolds

By JASON REYNOLDS Tennessee Christian News NASHVILLE – David Teems is a musician who was “nagged” into writing. Books always kind of nagged at me,” he said. “I wanted to write.” He earned a degree in psychology at Georgia State and made his name in music with eight albums. Teems is working on a CD that sets Scriptures to music. Teems is not staying content with a music career. He has authored three devotional books, and is now the biographer of the two leading translators of the Bible into English: King James and William Tyndale. The Franklin resident shared the … Continue reading Stories of King James Bible, William Tyndale come alive

Christian college, Christianity, Cleveland, festival, Lee University, literature, Tennessee Christian newsLeave a comment

Anya Silver to read poems at Lee University Writer’s Festival

Jason Reynolds

The Lee University Writer’s Festival will conclude with poet Anya Silver in the Rose Lecture Hall, located in the Helen DeVos College of Education. The event takes place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 24. Silver will be reading poems from her collections, “The Ninety-Third Name of God” and “I Watched You Disappear.” FOR MORE: Lee University, Cleveland TN. Continue reading Anya Silver to read poems at Lee University Writer’s Festival

Bible, Bible study, business, Christ, Christian books, Christian bookstores, Christianity, God, Jesus, literature, media, Nashville, Scriptures, Tennessee Christian news, Thomas Nelson, women, women's ministryLeave a comment

@ThomasNelson releases #InscribedStudies devotionals for #women

Jason Reynolds

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series on InScribed. By JASON REYNOLDS Tennessee Christian News NASHVILLE — Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group has launched InScribed, a devotional series written by women for women. The first four of seven titles have been released in March; three additional books will be published in the fall, said Frank Couch, Thomas Nelson Bible Group publisher. The group is exploring plans to create additional InScribed resources following the rollout of the first seven books, including possibly a Bible version, Couch told Tennessee Christian News during an authors event in Nashville. Couch described each of the … Continue reading @ThomasNelson releases #InscribedStudies devotionals for #women

Bible, Bible study, Bible verses, book reviews, business, Christ, church, devil, discipleship, evangelism, faith, God, Jesus, literature, media, ministry, Nashville, National Religious Broadcasters, parents, pastors, prayer, Scriptures, Tennessee Christian news, widows, womenLeave a comment

‘Why God Why?’ Book addresses death, other hard questions you ask God

Jason Reynolds

By JASON REYNOLDS Tennessee Christian News NASHVILLE – One widow has been using her insight into loss to help others deal with their grief. She calls her book, “Why God Why? What to Do When Life Doesn’t Make Sense,” a “handbook for getting through the pain.” Karen Jensen’s book from Charisma House uses her experience from her husband Brent’s death. His passing away at age 37 left her alone with two boys. Charisma House released the title in July 2013. The book is about hope and reclaiming your life. Jensen spoke to Tennessee Christian News recently during the National Religious … Continue reading ‘Why God Why?’ Book addresses death, other hard questions you ask God

book reviews, Christian formation, Christianity, discipleship, evangelism, faith, family, forgiveness, God, literature, love, marriage, men, Nashville, National Religious Broadcasters, Tennessee, Tennessee Christian news, values, womenLeave a comment

Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada share the key to a long marriage

Jason Reynolds

By JASON REYNOLDS Tennessee Christian News NASHVILLE – “Joni & Ken – An Untold Love Story” is appropriately named. Joni Eareckson and Ken Tada released the book last year detailing the nuts and bolts details that it takes to keep a marriage alive for 30 years. That’s 30 years in a nation where more than half of marriages end in divorce – and that’s not even marriages where one spouse is quadriplegic. The Tadas spoke to Tennessee Christian News on Saturday, Feb. 22, during the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, #NRB14. It comes down to this: God’s grace. “Marriage … Continue reading Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada share the key to a long marriage

Bible, book reviews, Christian formation, Christianity, church plants, family, literature, love, ministry, Nashville, National Religious Broadcasters, nondenominational, pastorsLeave a comment

Ten Commandments for your marriage

Jason Reynolds

By JASON REYNOLDS Tennessee Christian News NASHVILLE — Have you ever thought of comparing marriage to The Ten Commandments? You should, according to a pastor. Dr. Tony Hart, senior pastor of Montco Bible Fellowship in Pennsylvania, makes the connection in his book “2 Tablets For Your Marriage” from Gospel Folio Press. The book was released last May. Hart spoke to Tennessee Christian News this past weekend at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, #NRB14. The first two Commandments deal with idolatry: having no other gods and making no idols. “We should be walking, talking billboards for what the love relationship looks … Continue reading Ten Commandments for your marriage

book reviews, business, Christian formation, Christianity, church, faith, leadership, literature, Middle Tennessee, Nashville, nondenominational, Tennessee Christian newsLeave a comment

‘Clout’ book by Jenni Catron can guide you to discover, use your God-given gifts to help others

Jason Reynolds

(This review originally appeared in my newspaper, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. My thanks to Nelson Books for allowing me to review the book, and to Jenni Catron for her interview.) Clout, n. — “the power to influence or control situations,” as defined by Merriam-Webster. Jenni Catron defines clout as a combination of gifts, experiences and opportunities that God gives a person and how it can be unleashed for others. Clout is power and influence. And Catron wants to help people use their clout to help others to be healthy leaders, whatever their roles in life and work. Catron is executive director … Continue reading ‘Clout’ book by Jenni Catron can guide you to discover, use your God-given gifts to help others