Member: SmithGrove

Librarian’s Report – November 2009

This month, various groups and Sunday School classes with be performing acts of service and compassion as a part of our annual On Mission Weekend. Perhaps your small group is seeking some inspiration or ideas for a project to plan. Look no further than your church library for these excellent resources as you prepare to minister to our community.
Steve Sjogren is the author of two books of interest - 101 Ways to Reach Your Community and Conspiracy of Kindness – both full of suggestions for service projects. Ken Hemphill considers the Eternal Impact of churches that reach out, in his book by that same name. Alvin Reid provides a peek into the lives of the Radically Unchurched and offers plenty of encouragement to those who seek to impact this generation for Christ. The Unchurched Next Door by Thom Ranier explores the mind-set and thinking of your friends and neighbors that need to hear the saving news of Jesus’ love and how you can better reach them. Or take a look at Ron Wolfson’s thoughts on God’s To-Do List: 103 Ways to Be an Angel and Do God’s Work on Earth.
May you find inspiration in these and other featured books as you seek God’s will for your group’s outreach activity.

Pam Miller - Librarian

posted by SmithGrove at 12:14 pm (EST) on Oct 21, 2009

Libarian's Report - September 2009
A new school year has started, the season is changing, and our pastor is beginning a new sermon series - Issues and Answers from the book of I Corinthians. May I suggest a few books from your church library that can add to your study and understanding of some of the topics that may emerge in this series?
I Corinthians 6:20 reminds us that we were "...bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." As an impetus to living a life of purity that honors God, I recommend Called to Be Holy, a Lifeway Bible study by Richard Melick. Also on this topic, we have two books by highly-rated author Jerry Bridges - The Pursuit of Holiness and Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate.
I Corinthians 7 details Paul's teachings concerning marriage. How about some additional encouragement in this area from Gary Smalley, with his book, Make Love Last Forever? Take The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick based on the popular Fireproof movie or discover His Needs, Her Needs in a thought-provoking and informative book by William Harley.
In I Corinthians 16:1-4 we read how this church was instructed to gather an offering. As we express our gratitude to God through our giving, let author Randy Alcorn help us gain a proper attitude about Money, Possessions, and Eternity.
Look for these and other featured books relating to marriage, materialism, and morality - just a step away in your church library.
Pam Miller - Librarian

posted by SmithGrove at 10:40 am (EST) on Aug 24, 2009

Librarian’s Report – June 2009

I’m always glad, as your librarian, to try to make our church library as useful to you as I can. To be a good steward of the funds provided for our church library it’s helpful to know just what is wanted. So that’s why I’m especially happy when a member asks for a specific book or information on particular topic. This month, I’m excited to feature these recommended and requested books.

Several readers have shared with me that Karen Kingsbury is their favorite author, so I’m glad to say that we’ve finally acquired the rest of the Redemption Series – Remember, Return, Rejoice, and Reunion - for those who have started these, or just want to read more of Kingsbury. I also had a question about origins and Genesis that led me to add Darwin’s Black Box and The Cell’s Design to the church’s list of books that answer the myths of evolution. Also, by recommendation of Pastor Tommy we’ve acquired a large volume that details the customs and culture in the 1st century: The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah by Alfred Edersheim. This book is full of material that will enlighten your Bible study and enrich your knowledge of the background of Scripture. Another, more easily digestible paperback in the same vein is Manners & Customs of Bible Times from our Southern Baptist publisher, Broadman and Holman. Also cited by our pastor, two books relating to Sunday School growth: You Can Double Your Class in Less Than Two Years by Josh Hunt and The 5-Step Formula for Sunday School Growth by David Francis. Lastly, our retiring Awana commander and his wife have suggested The Fruitful Life and Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges as useful reading for Christian growth.

Enjoy these additions to your church library, and keep those recommendations coming!

Pam Miller - Librarian

posted by SmithGrove at 12:21 pm (EST) on May 20, 2009

Librarian’s Report – March 2009

Annie Armstrong – a name you know. But do you know anything about her? I’ll admit I didn’t! In fact, until a few years ago, I supposed Miss Armstrong to be a missionary. Then, Della File asked me to find some books on Annie, and I’m glad I did. I learned some extraordinary things about this influential woman. Perhaps you’d enjoy reading about this lady whose name graces one of our special offerings, and discover the power of persistence, patience and prayer.
Annie Armstrong: Dreamer in Action is an exhaustive and detailed rendering of Annie’s life and accomplishments. Author Bobbie Sorrill delivers a comprehensive biography, with numerous sources.
Rescue the Perishing, edited by Keith Harper, gives us a wonderful glimpse into Miss Armstrong’s life through use of a sampling of her voluminous correspondence. Letters from Annie to various friends, church leaders, and missionaries reveal, better than any biography, her personality and persuasive power.
Two easily digested books, intended for children, are Miss Strong Arm, by Jacqueline Durham and Miss Annie’s Secret, by Jimmy Winter. Both are a quick read for those that would like to “meet” this Southern Baptist heroine.
Find out why Annie only had one photograph ever taken – why her arm often ached – and why we honor her after all these years.


Pam Miller - Librarian

posted by SmithGrove at 2:25 pm (EST) on Feb 22, 2009

Librarian’s Report – February 2009
Perhaps you’ve made, as I have, a resolution to spend more time in God’s Word and in Bible study this year. This cold and snowy weather is giving us much more “inside” time – evenings and weekends that keep us bundled up at home. Let’s redeem this time with some good Bible study tools available in our church library. The “200” Section of the library, labeled “Bible Study,” is the section that faces you as you enter the door of the library. In addition to various translations of the Bible, we also have several book-by-book commentaries by respected Biblical scholars, arranged in order by book as they appear in Scripture. Also available are tools such as a comprehensive concordance, Bibles atlases and maps, and Bible dictionaries. New to the library are several reference books that would be excellent Bible study tools, from our Southern Baptist publisher, Broadman and Holman:
The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
The Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding Creation
The Holman QuickSource Bible Atlas, and
The Holman QuickSource Bible Dictionary

Let us strive to obey the command to “study to show [ourselves] approved” and make the most of this winter in the study of God’s Holy Word.

Pam Miller - Librarian

posted by SmithGrove at 2:24 pm (EST) on Feb 22, 2009

Library Report for January 2009

A new year, a new calendar page, a fresh start - that’s the promise of January. It’s a time of resolutions and goal-setting, of looking forward to new opportunities and new discoveries. This month, take a fresh look at the purposes God has for you with these new church library books:

Live Your Calling: A Practical Guide to Finding and Fulfilling Your Mission in Life by Kevin Brennfleck
Directionally Challenged: How to Find and Follow God’s Course for Your Life by Travis Collins
Live the Call: Embrace God’s Design for Your Life by Wanda Lee
When God Says Jump: Biblical Stories That Inspire You to Risk Big by J. R. Briggs
How to Be a World-Class Christian by Paul Borthwick

And these books, already available in your library:
Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment by Erwin McManus
Christ Empowered Living: Celebrating Your Significance in God by Selwyn Hughes and
Life Wide Open: Releasing the Power of a Passionate Life by David Jeremiah
Enjoy the motivation and challenge of these books as you start a new year of service and discipleship to our Savior.

Pam Miller - Librarian

posted by SmithGrove at 2:24 pm (EST) on Feb 22, 2009

Featured in Smith Grove Library for December 2008:

Maybe we don't often think of missions in this month of merriment, but we should. December dates the annual Lottie Moon offering, which supplies a full half of all the International Mission Board's annual budget. From its humble beginnings in 1888, when it used $3,000 to send 3 missionaries to China, the IMB has grown to its present state - sending over 5,500 missionaries to all points of the globe with the life-giving message of Christ.
In this month of giving and receiving, let us recall the great gift we received at the cross, and give generously to help others who have yet to hear.
To learn more about Lottie Moon and missions, see these featured books available in your church library:
"From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya: A Biographical History of Christian Missions" by Ruth Tucker
"Revolution in World Missions" by K. P. Yohannan
New! "The Missionary Call: Find Your Place in God's Plan for the World"
and "Lottie Moon: Giving Her All for China" by Janet Benge

posted by SmithGrove at 10:07 am (EST) on Nov 19, 2008

Now featured in your Smith Grove Library for November 2008:

Feeling the money crunch? Concerned about the economy? Wondering about how you will budget for Christmas this year?

Your church library has several resources to help. Larry Burkett gives "Answers to Your Family's Financial Questions" in a book by that title, and guidance to newlyweds in "The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples." Another timely guide is Jonnie McCoy's "Frugal Families," - a tip-filled encyclopedia of money-saving ideas. From Rodale Press, another book filled with workable solutions to tight economic times is "Cut Your Bills in Half." And as a reminder of how our attitude should be about our earthly treasure, large or small, Ron Blue's "Generous Living" reiterates the Lord's teaching that we should be good and giving stewards of God's blessings.

"Spend" a moment in your church library, and check out these useful offerings!

Pam Miller, Librarian

posted by SmithGrove at 10:26 am (EST) on Oct 31, 2008

Welcome, Fall!

Featured in your Smith Grove Library for October 2008:

Laughs and hilarity abound in Ken Davis' "Lighten Up!" - an uplifting exhortation to take life a little less seriously.

"Courage for the Chicken-Hearted" combines several authors' perspectives on facing the tough issues of life with an optimistic attitude.

And check out the new Guidepost series: "Let There Be Laughter!" - themed books chock-full of giggle-inducing stories, poems and funny anecdotes.

Enjoy these offerings for fall, and have some fun!

Pam Miller, Librarian

posted by SmithGrove at 2:46 pm (EST) on Sep 27, 2008