Books

There are many ways to discuss discipleship, what it takes to grow spiritually, and how to become the people we are meant to be, but the butterfly metamorphosis may provide the best analogy because the changes are drastic and visible, as are many of the changes that take places when a person comes to Christ. The end result of the process is beauty, which is also an apt description of what the Lord brings into our lives. The foreword is written by Eddie Espinosa, writer of the classic worship song, Change My Heart, O God.

Safest Place in Iraq tells the stories of men and women who encountered God during the war in Iraq, and includes testimonies of faith in Christ and answered prayer. When they told me where I was going, they said it was the Safest Place in Iraq, but by the time I got there, things had changed. Heat, danger, dust, and death formed the context for the job I was sent to do. Operating from the philosophy that “ministry follows friendship,” I built relationships among the men and women at Camp Echo. This allowed me to be there when they were at their best and when they were at their worst, in their strongest moments and in their weakest.

The theme verses for the book are Proverbs 24:3-4: By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. WisdomBuilt Biblical Principles of Marriage shows couples how to build a great marriage, and provides congregational leaders a practical plan for helping their couples. The result is an accessible, easy-to-follow curriculum that may be used in couples classes, sermon series, seminars, or retreats. It also may be used in counseling and private conversations, or by the couples themselves.

This up-to-date, inspirational, and comprehensive book will prepare chaplains for what they will face in the military. It shows them how to be true to their mission, their church, and their values while honoring people from all backgrounds and faith traditions. It provides a biblical foundation and historical perspective on military chaplaincy, and incorporates the guidelines and regulations from denominational endorsers, the Department of Defense, and the Constitution. This is a must read for anyone thinking about becoming a chaplain, and anyone who wants to know what being a Christian in the military is really like.

Dead in the Water is the story about a man who was faithful to God during the toughest days of his life, and the God who was faithful to that man. It provides a glimpse of divine intervention in the lives of men who were far from home, providing hope and comfort in an otherwise bleak situation. At the same time, it tells of some fantastic answers to prayer. There were miraculous rescues from bomb bursts and fragmented steel, as Navy destroyers pulled blue jackets from the sea. This book tells the story in light of faith, prayer, and the God who was personally involved in the men’s lives. A true life story of God’s presence during battle at sea.