Expressions of Jesus | December Book Club

I’ve a very special recommendation for my December Book Club:

“Expressions of Jesus: Cultural Representations of the Savior of The World,” deserves a place on your coffee table as you gather with friends and family this holiday season.

This one-of-a-kind curated collection of artwork showcases images of Jesus Christ from more than 100 diverse artists throughout history and from around the world.

No one throughout history has been depicted in art as much as Jesus Christ has. This unique art book features the broadest collection of art from the most diverse collection of Christian artists, bringing together and celebrating the way Jesus Christ has been portrayed throughout history and culture.

As Christianity took hold in Europe, antisemitism was also increasing; so, in time, artists purposefully painted Jesus Christ and Mary, His mother, with whiter skin and more European features. But throughout time, many artists continued to create images of Jesus in ways that reflected their own culture.

Whether Jesus Christ is depicted as Māori, Chinese, Tongan, Swedish, Mexican, Navajo, Cameroonian, or South African, His message is the same. He calls all of us to love one another and come unto Him to find rest and peace.

Expressions of Jesus is a reflection of the unparalleled impact of Jesus’s life and teachings on His followers around the world.

This gorgeous, large, hard-bound volume of curated artwork will have you spellbound as you leaf through page after beautiful page. Order one for yourself as well as for those you want to give an extra-meaningful gift to this year.

ORDER: Expressions of Jesus

The Chosen | Season 3 Begin

The Chosen, Season 3 - the multi-season streaming TV series about the life of Jesus of Nazareth - is here!

In an exciting twist this year, they are debuting episodes 1 and 2 of the most emotional and consequential season to date on the big screen beginning November 18th. Tickets are on sale now, so don't hesitate, it's going to be a wonderful night out!

I was recently invited to tour the set of The Chosen at their brand-new home at Salvation Army's Camp Hoblitzelle, in Midlothian, Texas, and meet with several members of cast and crew.

The set build was a huge undertaking, the landscape needed to believably represent biblical locales (such as the Feeding of the 5,000) while also housing production facilities, a state-of-the-art, 30,000-square-foot soundstage and an authentic first-century city. The biblical set covers two acres, or approximately two football fields side-by-side.

When filming is complete, the set will be turned back over to the Salvation Army to use in their outreach with children's camps. AND I GOT TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE IT ALL!!!I

You can listen to my podcast episode with Dallas Jenkins, creator, director, and co-writer of the series, as well as several cast members including Amber Shana Williams, who plays the incredible Tamar, Brandon Potter, as the villain we love to hate, Quintus, Giovani Cairo, who portrays Thaddeus, Jordan Walker Ross, who is Little James, Lara Silva, as Eden, and Elizabeth Tabish who shines as Mary Magdalene, HERE.

The Chosen came to me in the midst of a world-wide pandemic - when Fear and Hope were running a footrace and Fear seemed to be taking the lead. The Chosen showed up and showed me and my family that all it took was a matter of perspective (and a mustard seed of faith) to see that Hope was going to be the clear and obvious winner each and every time they matched up in a competition. 

I don't know what you may be going through right now, but I do know that we all have something. Some challenge, some trial, some insecurity that weighs upon us.  I encourage you - as I always do, to let go and let God, and while you're working on that, watch The Chosen.

Its characters are sublimely multi-dimensional, beautifully flawed, brilliantly portrayed, and you will come away awed and inspired. 

Jesus Listens | January Book Club

JESUS LISTENS

Life is never (ever) the easy-peasy joy ride we think it’s going to be when we’re young. Life is more cyclical than that, like the seasons. Our planet would dry up and blow away if it hovered perpetually in the heat and sun of summertime. We need winter, and the transitional seasons too.

Life is like that as well, and if you find yourself experiencing some wintery moments, anxious and overwhelmed, Jesus will provide shelter from the storm.

My book club pick for January is a new 365-day devotional prayer book, Jesus Listens, by Sarah Young, author of Jesus Calling, chosen to begin the new year with the best advice I can give to anyone; turn to God in all circumstances.

Whether the practice of daily devotionals is something you embraced long ago, or are brand new to, Jesus Listens empowers you to pray daily. Maybe it will be the only (conscious) conversation you have with God that day, or perhaps it will serve as an “ice-breaker” allowing you to begin a new relationship.

Jesus Listens is ideal for those who . . . 

• are going through difficult times and looking for rest and hope

• are busy from life’s demands, but want to grow their prayer life

• are not sure how to pray

• have been praying for years but want a closer relationship with God

The biblical basis for each prayer in Jesus Listens is given at the end of each entry so you can continually return to God's promises in Scripture. 

Jesus Listens, 365 short, heartfelt prayers based on Scripture, is a beautiful gift to give yourself or anyone you know who has, or seeks, a relationship with God.

It’s a helpful and appreciated aid to establishing a more consistent practice of talking to and trusting in Jesus, in the midst of life’s harshest storms, and whilst rejoicing in the sunshine of a moment.

“By praying Scripture through this daily devotional prayer book, you'll experience how intentional prayer connects you to God, changes your heart, and can even move mountains.”

Find your way to Jesus Listens HERE.

I Can Only Imagine | March Book Club

ORDER YOUR COPY

I Can Only Imagine, a Friendship with Jesus Now and Forever, by Bart Millard, founding member of the award-winning musical group, MercyMe, is my March Book Club pick!

First a hit song, then a book, a child's version of the book (this one!), and now a major motion picture in theaters March 16, I Can Only Imagine was inspired by Bart's personal loss; his father died of cancer when Bart was just 18.

The song not only topped the Christian music charts but was a cross-over hit to Top 40 and Billboards Adult Hot Contemporary, which illustrates the popularity of it's universal theme.

Do you have a child or grandchild you would like to share God's love with? (You know I have several!!!) Do you ever feel mystified in your response to their questions about heaven, or where Jesus lives?

Encourage their sense of wonder and faith with I Can Only Imagine, a beautiful picture book inspired by the hit song by MercyMe. 

I Can Only Imagine asks questions a child might ask and invites families to wonder together: What is heaven like? What does God do? What would it be like to spend a day with Jesus? Children will see that although experiencing the glory of heaven may be far off, we can enjoy a friendship with Jesus every day - right here on earth. Whimsical, playful illustrations and thought-provoking questions make this a book that families will cherish.

I love the adorable, fun and vibrant illustrations by Sumiti Colina. Friendly, playful, and vivid, the visual will help your children see that God can be found everywhere, every day. 

ORDER YOUR COPY

Make sure you sign up for my Weekly Newsletter, where I'll be giving directions later this month on how you could receive a free copy of this wonderful book!