New Titles in Emmaus Library, Issue 1, Mar 2017

Donahue, Bill. Unlocking the Bible’s mysteries: parables & prophecy [220 DON]

“Some portions of the Bible appear mysterious and hard to understand. When we read prophecy, we wonder how it applies to us today. When we read a parable, several meanings may come to mind. How do we know which is correct? Poetry and proverbs may seem obscure. The letters to churches don’t seem to connect to us. How do we read each of these types of Bible literature in a way that is both faithful to the text and authoritative for our lives? This guide points the way.”

Bruce, F.F. The canon of scripture [220.12 BRU]

“Which books properly belong to the Bible? Who decided which books should be accepted or rejected? What were the reasons for those decisions? Are they reasons which still hold good today? The authority of the Bible depends on the integrity of each book in it. But there are differences of opinion, such as the status of the apocryphal books. Why do some churches accept them as scripture, and others reject them? Have some of the writings originally included in the Bible outlived their usefulness, and could some further writings be added to it now? Professor Bruce investigates the formation of our Christian Bible through the ages and examines the criteria for acceptance or rejection in this fascinating, scholarly yet readable book.”

Oke, Janette. A woman named Damaris [220.92 OKE]

“She was almost fifteen on the night she dared for the first time to think of what life might be like away from home. Pa again had come home drunk and mean; the trauma of the subsequent scene had been repeated as long as Damaris could remember. The idea that she no longer needs to tolerate this, that maybe she’s old enough to manage on her own, is planted in her mind and begins to grow. She must plan her escape carefully, but she must get away from him…But Damaris can’t escape the “aloneness” that haunts her life or the bitterness she feels when she sees others suffering, particularly children. Ultimately, she must come to terms with her past, learn to live in her present circumstances, and trust her future to another Father.”

Tenney, Merrill C. New Testament times: understanding the world of the first century [225.9 TEN]

Contents: The sources of New Testament history — The political scene — The cultural tensions — The Jewish heritage — The pressure of paganism — The Augustan age: the youth of Christ — The age of Tiberius: the ministry of Christ — The church in Jerusalem — The church at Antioch during the reign of Claudius — The Judaizing controversy — The missionary expansion — The consolidation of the churches: the reign of Nero — The growth of the institutional church under the Flavians — The end of the first century — The church and the new era.”

Wright, Christopher J.H. Knowing the Holy Spirit through the Old Testament [231.3 WRI]

“Do we know the Holy Spirit? Do we know what we ask for when we ask to receive him? Chris Wright makes the claim that we could not, of course, know the Holy Spirit clearly apart from Christ and the New Testament. But we can know him in all his mighty, biblical, divine fullness only through tracing his presence and power in the Old Testament as well.”

Mears, Henrietta C. What Jesus is all about [232 MEA]

“Here you will find the tools you’ll need to grasp the entirety of Christ’s life here on Earth. Learn about the birth, life, healing ministry, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – and how His message shapes and focuses our lives today – perfect for those who disciple new Christians.”

Eyre, Stephen D. Quiet time dynamics: what happens when we meet with God [248.34 EYR]

“Why are there ups and downs in our devotional lives? Stephen Eyre explains that a quiet time is not just a spiritual duty we must perform but an encounter with the living God. This pamphlet will free you from false expectations and guide you into the fullness of what can happen when you meet with our Lord.”

Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church. Journey through the seasons: a devotional featuring the stories of BBTCians [248.4 JOU]

“This is a book of the testimonies of about 30 BBTCians – of the good things God has done. You will be encouraged as you read them. But more encouraging still perhaps is the fact that there are many more, many still untold, of all our members. We have all experienced the Lord’s mercy, love, grace, kindness, forgiveness, deliverance in every season of our lives and felt our faith strengthened.”

Lau, Hannah. Wherever you go: a conversation about life, faith, & courage [248.4 LAU]

“Strangers Corrie Lee and Keiko Suzuki have just graduated from university and moved to China to start their first jobs. Corrie believes that God has called her there, while Keiko is in it for the work experience. No matter the reason, life in China quickly becomes about more than just that. Through a friendship over email, Corrie and Keiko agonise, laugh, share, and commiserate over the big and small things in life.

– What does it mean to have a fulfilled and meaningful life?
– How can we be faithful to God, especially in difficult circumstances?
– How do we know whether a bad situation is our cross to bear or something to walk away from?”

Ho, Peng Kee, ed. Men for Christ…living out our faith [248.4 MEN]

“…a marvel of practical, godly wisdom to help people looking for support in living a deeper, more meaningful Christian life. Each chapter offers an honest, heartfelt exploration of how a Christ-centred faith makes a difference in everyday life.”

Shallis, Ralph. From now on…7 provisions for spiritual growth [248.4 SHA]

“Shares very useful tips to discover the secrets of a life of reality which include: constant desire for consistent personal transformation; stable growth of disciples into tough, rich and evident maturity; undistorted focus on God’s limitless horizon for you; continuous change in life to leave behind a fragrant legacy.”

Smedes, Lewis B. How can it be all right when everything is all wrong? [248.4 SME]

“Faith does not break loose in my head with a whooping, ‘Hurrah for God!’ Believing sneaks into my soul while my head is saying, ‘My God, where were you when I needed you?'” Lewis Smedes does not explain away pain or deny that things get bad and that life is hard. Instead he helps us move beyond a disheartening present by being open to God and the certainty that things are, somehow, fundamentally right.”

Wong, David W.F. The journeys trilogy [248.4 WON]

“Full of stories and insights gleaned from the author’s personal and spiritual journeys, this trilogy brings together three of his earliest publications: Journey Mercies, Love’s Rough Journeys, and Journeys Beyond the Comfort Zone. Navigate the paths winding between naivete and cynicism; ride the waves of the mighty, majestic, and mysterious force called love; and venture out from the familiar and the routine.”

Peterson, Margaret Kim & Dwight N. Peterson. Are you waiting for “The One”? [248.844 PET]

“Does God want to write your love story? Maybe not! Christian marriage is far deeper and stronger than any romantic fairy tale. The Petersons help us sort out the difference between how society often depicts marriage and how Christians really should approach this gift of God. Delving into the nitty-gritty, this couple offers sage insight into a growing, maturing marriage including being a family, handling conflict, friendship, children, household economics and weathering the transitions of life.”

Rosberg, Gary & Barbara. The 5 love needs of men & women [248.844 ROS]

“…share the groundbreaking research that shows couples how to meet each other’s deepest and most intimate needs. Gary talks to wives about – a husband’s top 5 love needs; the secret of a man’s sexuality; a husband’s need for unconditional love. And Barb talks to husbands about – how wives spell intimacy; how to safeguard your marriage against temptation; what it means when a woman withdraws emotionally. Couples will discover how to uncover the deepest yearnings of each other’s hearts.”

Wright, H. Norman. Helping your kids deal with anger, fear, and sadness [248.845 WRI]

“No parents want to see their children struggle, especially with dark emotions such as anger, fear, and sadness. It’s difficult to admit a child can suffer from these suffocating feelings, but here is help. Norman Wright addresses these emotional issues in a compassionate, family-friendly way that enables parents to bring comfort and fresh perspectives to their children.”

Menon, Dev. The pattern: discovering God’s design for marriage [259 MEN]

“There is much joy as two people in love commit themselves to each other, and there is the joyful anticipation of how the marriage can become a blessing to the couple and to others. But there is also a degree of apprehension as even the best of marriages need hard work to succeed and too many marriages don’t work out even
among followers of Jesus. Couples need help as they embark on their life together, which is why we welcome this book on marriage preparation by Rev Dr Dev Menon. He brings all the right qualifications to the job. He is a pastor who has done marriage preparation for many couples, he has studied theology, and perhaps most important of all, he is married with three children.”

Martin, Grant L. Help! My child is struggling in school [371.9 MAR]

“How do you tell if your child has a learning disability or is just displaying normal childish behaviour? There’s help! Dr Grant Martin addresses the basics of: learning disability; attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); emotional barriers to learning; underachievement; when to pursue a professional diagnosis; how to work with your child’s school; current treatments and strategies for learning problems. Become your child’s biggest advocate, both inside and outside the classroom.”

Maier, Bill, ed. Help! My child is hooked on video games [649.64 HEL]

“…looks at: why games are so popular; the dangers of video games; understanding ratings; online gaming; signs of addiction; finding balance…helps you identify a problem, offers suggestions on how to combat an already-growing addiction, and provides practical advice on how to control the gaming experience in your home.”

Menon, Dev. The plate spinner: a little book for busy young adults [650.11 MEN]

“However lame the excuse, we still make it: “No time.” Dev Menon demolishes this excuse with a wit-by-wit series of chitchats, teasers and stories, matched by light-hearted images reminiscent of clowns and the circus. Readers will appreciate his non-threatening “I’ve gone through it too” approach. He stands with you, not against you. Readers of all ages will profit from its probing questions, calling for mid-course corrections and setting us on track to a plate-spinning act worthy of the audience of One, the Lord Jesus who has this message for all plate spinners: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).”
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