Real marriage : the truth about sex, friendship, and life together

 by Mark Driscoll. High-profile pastor Driscoll and his wife, Grace, have not only pulled back the curtain on the condition of marriage but have opened wide the door to their own home, taking readers into arguments, dating life, mistakes, and healing in their own marriage. While written from a theological point of view, they also did their homework in a wide range of therapeutic marriage books and have done thousands of hours of counseling and teaching marriage seminars along with their regular teaching in their Seattle church, Mars Hill. This is a book about married friendship, sexuality, healing broken marriages, and "reverse engineering" a marriage that will last-beginning with a vision of the end result and working back toward that. It includes no-holds-barred chapters on sex-how Mark held sex as "god" and Grace as "gross" and how they together discovered sex as a "gift" from God. The Driscolls' Neo-Reformed views come shining through, with much emphasis on sin's role in wrecking marriages today and Christ's role in redeeming them. Taken to heart and put into practice, this boldly refreshing approach can change couples across America by letting God do the changing. --Publishers Weekly (Check Catalog)

Through the year with Jimmy Carter : 366 daily meditations from the 39th president

 by Jimmy Carter. In Through the Year with Jimmy Carter, the thirty-ninth President of the United States takes you on a unique journey into the heart of the Christian faith. Based on more than three decades of practical Bible teaching, these readings draw from the riches of God's Word and the compelling experiences of Mr. Carter's own life. Whether through fascinating glimpses into behind-the-scenes activity at the White House, or insightful remembrances of his career in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Carter never ceases to connect the wisdom of Scripture with your own crucial place on the stage of life. Frank, honest, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, and always relevant, Through the Year with Jimmy Carter challenges readers to be more Christ-like every day of their lives. --Summary (Check Catalog)

Aging as a spiritual practice : a contemplative guide to growing older and wiser

 by Lewis Richmond. Although this is a user's guide to aging well written from the perspective of a Buddhist priest and meditation teacher, you don't have to be a Buddhist or, for that matter, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or even a believer to appreciate its very helpful reflections. The crux of the book is the simple declarative sentence, Everything changes. The first truth of Buddhist teaching and the first truth of aging are the same. As Richmond poignantly observes, Everything we love and care about . . . will change, transform, and eventually pass away. Richmond believes this potent idea need not be depressing. On the contrary, it can be positive and transformative. Each chapter explores a specific facet of the aging process, from a discussion of the stages of aging to the science of healthy aging, and concludes with a series of contemplative reflections. Included are stories of ordinary people, some of whom like growing old and others who do not. In addition, Richmond offers examples of contemplative Buddhist practices. An effective primer. - --Booklist (Check Catalog)

The body politic : the battle over science in America

 by Jonathan D. Moreno. According to Moreno (David & Lyn Silfen University Professor, Univ. of Pennsylvania; Senior Fellow, Ctr. for American Progress; Mind Wars: Brain Research and National Defense), the American dream is founded on a belief in a future of scientifically driven progress. That is why the new biology (his term for recent developments in the life sciences) strikes at the heart of America's political consciousness, challenges established alliances, and has the potential either to bring people together or to drive them apart. Moreno shows how biological discoveries aggravate cultural tensions, challenge our political system and values, and stimulate debate about the place of science and scientists in America. Although his progressive leanings are clear, he gives balanced treatment to a variety of views and arguments, equally discussing the promise of the new biology and the cultural, political, and social uncertainties it brings. VERDICT This is a sophisticated, useful, and well-written guide to the history and complex political issues surrounding the new biology. Recommended for anyone, general and scholarly readers alike, interested in a deeper understanding of the new biology, bioethics, and the political debates they engender. --Booklist (Check Catalog)

Nearing home : life, faith, and finishing well

 by Billy Graham. "I never thought I would live to be this old." In this moving narrative, Billy Graham once again takes up the pen not only to share his personal experience of growing older but also teach us some important lessons on how to view our time here on Earth. He says that the Bible makes it clear that God has a specific reason for keeping us here. So what is His purpose for these years, and how can we align our lives with it? How can we not only learn to cope with the fears and struggles and growing limitations we face but actually grow stronger inwardly in the midst of these difficulties? In what may be his most powerful message of the last decade, Billy Graham speaks to all on this side of Heaven as he covers the importance of four key areas: Building strong foundations and understanding the gift of years *Facing life's transitions, including the passing of years, retirement, and when loved ones die *Making wise decisions *Understanding our glorious hope. "In this book I invite you to explore with me not only the realities of life as we grow older but the hope and fulfillment and even joy that can be ours once we learn to look at these years from God's point of view and discover His strength to sustain us every day. I pray that you and I may learn what it means not only to grow older, but, with God's help, to grow older with grace." --Summary (Check catalog)

Justice : what's the right thing to do?

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by Michael J. Sandel. Sandel, a Harvard law professor, effortlessly integrates common concerns of individuals with topics as varied as abortion, affirmative action, and family loyalties within the modern theories and perspectives on freedom. He reviews philosophical thought from the ancient to more modern political philosophers, including Immanuel Kant and John Rawls. Sandel critiques three ways of thinking about justice: a utilitarian perspective that seeks the greatest happiness for the greatest number; the connection of justice to freedom with contrast between what he calls the laissez-faire camp that tends to be market libertarians and the fairness camp with an egalitarian slant that acknowledges the need for market regulation; and justice tied to virtue and pursuit of the good life. Although the last is generally associated with the cultural and political Right, he exposes connections across political lines. Sandel reveals how perspectives on justice are connected to a deeper and reasoned analysis, a moral engagement in politics, and a counterintuitive conclusion in modern politics. Whether or not readers agree with Sandel's conclusions, they will appreciate the encouragement to self-examination on the most mundane topics. --Booklist (Check Catalog)

The color of rain : how two families found faith, hope & love in the midst of tragedy

 by Michael Spehn. There are easier circumstances under which to build a blended family. Michael Spehn and Gina Kell both lost their young spouses to cancer. Both couples were attractive, young, vital, giving, loving, with loving families and adorable young children. These assets alone might be enough to bring widower and widow together to build new lives of happiness and bliss, but not necessarily. What this book makes so apparent is the importance of appreciating the significance of every moment while managing life's toughest parts with compassion sometimes only afforded by faith. In simultaneous journals kept before and after both family tragedies, the Spehns convey the preciousness of human connection and the gifts of grace offered by family, friends, and a strong faith community. Healing their wounds, the Michael and Gina married and created New Day Foundation for Families, a nonprofit that helps families of young children who have lost a parent to cancer. This is a well-written tale of sheer goodness turning the tables on tragedy. --Booklist (Check catalog)

Beyond religion : ethics for a whole world

 by the Dalai Lama, XIV. In this kind of sequel to his Ethics for the New Millennium, the Dalai Lama delineates some of our global challenges and suggests a nonreligious yet ethical mode of thinking that might help us. Although the note of exhaustion has been sounded-the Dalai Lama has spoken of retirement and begins this book by saying "I am an old man now"-his nonreligious ethics still have a strong and perhaps welcome Buddhist flavor. VERDICT The Dalai Lama's gentle and sensible messages of focus, peace, and mindfulness may not be heeded in a divided world but will be very welcome to seekers of all faiths. --Library Journal (Check Catalog)

The Screwtape letters ; with, Screwtape proposes a toast

 by C.S. Lewis. Lewis's satire is a Christian classic. Screwtape is a veteran demon in the service of "Our Father Below" whose letters to his nephew and prot‚g‚, Wormwood, instruct the demon-in-training in the fine points of leading a new Christian astray. Lewis's take on human nature is as on-target as it was when the letters were first published in 1941. John Cleese's narration is perfect as he takes Screwtape from emotional height to valley, from tight control to near apoplexy. This will be a popular in most libraries. --Library Journal (Check catalog)

Religion in human evolution : from the Paleolithic to the Axial Age

by Robert Neelly Bellah.  Bellah (sociology, emeritus, Univ. of California, Berkeley) examines the genesis of religion in human culture, artfully demonstrating how play, myth, and ritual developed during the Paleolithic era into the essential components that are still recognizable in religion today. He then examines the Axial Age (c. 800-c. 200 B.C.E.), with which we are more familiar: great philosophers in Greece, Israel, China, and India put forth ideas that were based on both the natural world and the spiritual plane; they effectively married the two. Bellah's book is an interesting departure from the traditional separation of science and religion. He maintains that the evolving worldviews sought to unify rather than to divide people. Poignantly, it is upon these principles that both Western and Eastern modern societies are now based. What strikes the reader most powerfully is how the author connects cultural development and religion in an evolutionary context. He suggests that cultural evolution can be seen in mimetic, mythical, and theoretical contexts. Ultimately, Bellah contends that our society is especially informed by our lengthy biological past. VERDICT This is an academic work recommended for specialists in the field of religion and sociology. Most lay readers, even if compelled by the subject, will find it heavy going, but the intrepid ones may well want to take it on and will marvel at Bellah's approach. --Library Journal (Check Catalog)