Christian retail offers for the week of Nov. 8

Riding a wave of media attention for the release of Decision Points, Mardel Christian & Education spotlights the new memoir by former President George W. Bush in its weekly emailing. The chain offers the Crown title for $24.99, down from the regular price of $35. 

LifeWay Christian Stores focuses on its two-day Open House Sale, Nov. 12-13, with savings of up to 66% on select Bibles, books, CDs, DVDs and children's products. The promotion offers a $10 savings card on in-store purchases of more than $40, while the first 50 customers at each outlet on Nov. 12 will be given a free paperback copy of C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia". The following day, the first 100 shoppers will be given a free MercyMe water bottle.

In its separate music emailing, the chain promotes Susan Boyle's The Gift as the lead title in its Christmas CD focus. The album is priced at $9.99, $2 off the regular price. Among $5 titles available is Chris Tomlin's Glory in the Highest, while Point of Grace's Home for the Holidays is reduced from $13.99 to $11.99.

Family Christian Stores also focuses on the holiday season, with The Gift priced at $14.99. The chain spotlights advent decorations and ornaments: A six-piece nativity set from Willow Tree is priced at $67.99 while a creche costs $99.99. Tree ornaments including hand-painted releases are priced from $7.99 to $39.99.

Berean Christian Stores emphasizes its Bible Sale Event, offering 50% off select editions through Nov. 20. The chain's email promotion also includes a $10-off coupon for any in-store purchase of $50-plus on Nov. 10.

Parable stores lead their promotion with Karen Kingsbury's new Unlocked at an online price of $12.97, down from $14.99. Other featured items include The Poverty and Justice Bible, reduced from $19.99 to $16.97, and DVD, Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure, at $17.97 (regular price $22.95).

Christian retail offers for the week of Oct. 25

Savings of up to two-thirds on select children's products are offered as part of LifeWay Christian Strores' Harvest Party, to be held Oct. 30.

The two-hour event will feature savings like The Jesus Series Read and Share Bible: Life and Miracles DVD for $5 (usual price $14.99) and any four of the “I Can Read” series titles for $10. The Gigi Dress-up Kit is reduced from $19.99 to $11.99 while the Bibleman Cape & Mask set is reduced from $12.99 to $7.99.

The LifeWay emailing announcing the party—to include activities and snacks—also presents a pre-buy of $9.99 for Chris Tomlin's And If Our God Is For Us, regular price $13.99. Purchasers also get a free Sixsteps Records 2010 New Music Sampler CD.

Children's products are a focus for Parable stores, too, with Bible Stories for Curious Kids down from $14.99 to $13.19 in-store and $10.97 online, The Parable promotion centers on John Piper's Think, offered for $17.97 (regular price $19.99). Parable also prices the new Common English Bible New Testament in leather at $12.97, down from $15.

Mardel Christian & Education focuses on a Zondervan Bibles sale, with up to 50% off select editions including the NIV Thinline Bible in premium leather (down to $24.99) and the updated NIV Study Bible Bible reduced from $59.99 to $34.99.

The chain also prices half a dozen children's DVDs at $5.99 and less, including VeggieTales' Where's God When I'm Scared and the BBC production of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian/The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Family Christian Stores has $15 off The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible in the New King James Version, priced at $55.99.

You can find his entire address here:

The extraordinary musicians of The Annie Moses Band visited the offices of Christian Retailing this month, performing four songs with their unique blend of fiddle, jazz and classical influences along with folk-inspired vocals.

Their theme song, 1988's "Make His Praise Glorious," first recorded by Sandi Patty, launched the songwriting career of Bill Wolaver (composer/arranger/pianist) and his wife, Robin (vocalist/lyricist/composer/ speaker). Their children joined them in what became a family band: Annie (lead vocals, violin), Alex (lead vocals, viola), Benjamin (cello), Camille (harp, keyboard, vocals), Gretchen (violin, mandolin, guitar, vocals) and Jeremiah (guitar). The older siblings trained at the Juilliard School, and all have studied with renowned instructors.

Christian retail channel offers for the week of Oct. 18

Christian Store Day gets a promotional nod from two chains.

Berean Christian Stores promises hourly giveaways at its locations during the Oct. 23 event, while LifeWay Christian Stores invites shoppers to its locations for the event.

Berean's big music offer is Third Day's new Move for $10.97 for the first week of release. Try Tribbett's Fresh is reduced from $15.99 to $10, while new books by Philip Yancey (What Good is God?) and Joel Rosenberg (The Twelfth Imam) are also discounted, from $23.99 to $19.19 and from $26.99 to $21.59 respectively.

LifeWay also promotes its October specials to mark Pastor Appreciation Month. Among them are the HCSB Study Bible (reduced from $49.99 to $39.99) pastors' mugs for $9.98. The chain's emailing also promotes Beth Moore's new Bible study, Paul: 90 Days In His Journey of Faith, for $19.85 (down from $24.99).

Third Day's new album is featured by Parable and Mardel & Christian Education, too. Parable makes it available for $11.97, also promoting Rosenberg's new title and John Sheasby's The Birthright (from $16.99 to $14.97).
Mardel's promotion also highlights 20% off select HCSN Study Bibles and Swanson's popular Faith Bands for $2.99 a pack.

Family Christian Stores has a youthful focus, leading with 70% off Guitar Praise—down to $22.97. Other featured items include VeggieTales' new DVD, It's a Meaningful Life (from $14.99 to $12.97) and the new Veggie Bands collection for $4.99 a pack.

Best-selling books may come and go, but the Bible remains a firm favorite.

God's Word came out top in a list of popular books for discussion groups in an online poll conducted by Reading Group Guides to mark its tenth anniversary.

The Bible came first in the list of Top 10 Strange Book Club Choices compiled from votes by more than 12,000 people. Next on the list was The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships and Other Adventures by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy.

Heading the overall Top 10 Discussion Books was The Help by Kathryn Stocket. Fifth was Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth ilbert, while Anita Diamant's The Red Tent—a novel about the biblical character Dinah—was tenth.

Allison Chamberlain is a 40-something horse-and-carriage tour leader in America's oldest city, St. Augustine, Fla. Waiting on God to reveal His calling on her life, she is surprised when He tells her to "buy a Harley Davidson motorcycle." It takes a few times of hearing this before she finally gives in and obeys God.

Following God's calling leads her to the "bad" side of town where drugs and prostitutes are prevalent. Allison decides to help one "lady of the evening" escape this lifestyle. Included in the deal is a 12-year-old boy who craves stability and love, but has never known either. Allison takes the two into her home, which she inherited from her childhood nanny.

More women hear about this haven and danger follows when the men who control them fight back. But with the help of her "angels on Harleys," Allison finds success in rescuing women and setting them on a new path in life.

The first in best-selling author Nancy Rue's new trilogy--"The Reluctant Prophet" series--is a hopeful book that reminds believers that they don't always know what is around the corner when God is directing, but it may even change the life of an entire community.
--Tanya Ohle

The Reluctant Prophet
Nancy Rue
David C. Cook
softcover, 496 pages, $14.99
978-1-434-76496-6
October 2010

Learn more about Go Fish's VBS initiative and the group’s latest musical release by listening in on their interview with Christian Retailing Editor Andy Butcher.

{mp3}Go Fish{/mp3}

The Southern Gospel Music Guild (SGMG) recognized industry leaders Lou Wills Hildreth (photo left) and Judy Spencer Nelon (photo right) with the Lifetime Achievement Honor at a Sept. 14 reception held during the 2010 National Quartet Convention (NQC) in Louisville, Ky.

Opening with a welcome from NQC Executive Vice President Clarke Beasley, the afternoon celebration featured The Nelons singing "The Lord's Prayer," and host Jerry Goff introducing the presenters.

SGMG Vice President Beckie Simmons Bates, as well as Jimmy Blackwood, Fay Shed and Larry Gatlin--via phone call--contributed to Hildreth's presentation. Kelly Nelon Clark headed the list of presenters for Nelon, followed by Sue Dodge, Lisa Abraham and Eddie DeGarmo. Aaron Crisler presented red roses to both recipients.

Long-time music favorite Michael W. Smith's 22nd release, Wonder, grabs the spotlight for two chains and Parable group independents.

The new album is priced at $9.99 by LifeWay Christian Stores and Mardel Christian & Education, down from $13.99. Parable's online purchase price is $10.97 and the group's email promotion includes an online coupon for 15% off a music purchase through Saturday.

Both chains also feature Bebo Norman's new Ocean in their highlighted music, with Mardel offering it at the regular price of $13.99 and LifeWay discounting it by $2. LifeWay also prices Bill & Gloria Gaither's new Giving Thanks and Count Your Blessings at $11.99 each.

Mardel also offers Third Day's Oct. 19 release, Move, for a pre-buy price of $11.99, with a free t-shirt also included. LifeWay's Third Day advance purchase offers the new release for $9.99, bundling it with a free copy of the band's previous Chronology, Volume One.

LifeWay also promotes its in-store Kids Day, Oct. 2, to mark the release of VeggieTales' new It's a Meaningful Life. The two-hour event, from 11 a.m., will include crafts and snacks, with one-day specials offering several children's books for $5 each.

Using the biblical examples of King Saul, Elijah and David, she shows how God wants to help His children overcome the fear of man, trusting Him alone. Broderson argues that choosing faith rather than fear leads to a truly changed life.

Broderson encourages readers to follow the biblical words of "taking every thought captive" and to reflect on things that are true, pure and holy. Every chapter provides insight into how fear grows, as well as its expressions, including phobias, legalism and lack of perspective.

When a Woman Lets Go of Her Fears is an excellent Bible study resource, with questions at the end of each chapter. Women fighting fear and seeking faith will benefit from Broderson's insights.

--Jennifer Toth

When a Woman Lets Go of Her Fears
Cheryl Broderson
Harvest House Publishers
softcover, 208 pages, $13.99
978-0-736-92792-5
September 2010

Christian music fans converged on Orlando at two major events this past weekend, Night of Joy and Rock the Universe.

At Universal Studios, the Rock the Universe event headlined Skillet, Newsboys, Jars of Clay, Jeremy Camp, Relient K (pictured left; Credit: Kevin Kolczynski, Universal Orlando Resort), TobyMac and more.

At Disney, with the performance of Family Force 5 canceled due to a brief thunderstorm, Night of Joy, held at the Magic Kingdom park, saw such acts as Third Day, MercyMe and Smokie Norful take the stage.

Frontman Mac Powell of Third Day (pictured right) was especially pleased with the patience and enthusiasm of the crowd despite the rain delay. At times playing through raindrops, the band finished its set and came back for more--concluding with the hit song "Revelation," giving a gospel message and commemorating the anniversary of 9/11.

Announcing in his latest blog that his new release, Immanuel's Veins (Thomas Nelson), has been "banned" in Holland for being too racy, he wonders if Christian publishing should "force our characters to wear turtle necks and long sleeves?"

Dekker defends Immanuel's Veins—vampires, seduction and sacrificial love in 18th century Russia—as "a passionate tale of God's love for his bride, perhaps the most Christian book I've ever written." Yes, it is sensual in parts, he admits, "but no more than the sensuality expressed by King Solomon, to whom I've dedicated the book."

A variety of savings compete for the attention of Labor Day weekend shoppers.

There is a strong focus on pre-buys, with LifeWay Christian Stores and Berean Christian Stores seeking advance purchases of Third Day's Move, due out next month.

LifeWay has the CD available for $9.99 (regular price $13.99), with a free copy of the band's Chronology, Volume One. Berean lists the forthcoming release at $10.97 and offers a free copy of the group's latest recording, Revelation, citing the pair as a $29.98 value.

Looking further ahead, LifeWay also offers a pre-release deal for Chris Tomlin's And If Our God Is For Us, not due out until mid-November. Advance purchases at $9.99—$4 off the usual price—qualify the buyer for a free copy of the Sixsteps Records 2010 New Music Sampler.

Other LifeWay offers see Israel Houghton's Love God, Love People and Jeremy Camp's We Cry Out: The Worship Project reduced from $13.99 to $12.99 and $10 respectively.

The LifeWay emailing includes a Labor Day Weekend Sale coupon for 33% off any one full-priced item, while Berean's promotion offers $10 off any in-store purchase of $30 or more through Sept. 1. The Berean emailing also reduces Casting Crowns' Until The Whole World Hears from $13.99 to $10 and The Afters' Light Up The Sky from $15.99 to $10.

Family Christian Stores, meanwhile, goes to the movies. The chain promotes the Sept. 24 theatrical release of Like Dandelion Dust, the movie based on Karen Kingsbury's book of the same name, with an exclusive $5 behind-the-scenes documentary. It also prices the new movie edition of the book at $11.99, down from $14.99.

A separate Family emailing highlights VeggieTales' new It's a Meaningful Life, with a pre-buy price of $12.97 on the October release, twinned with a free VeggieTales Lessons for a Lifetime triple feature. The chain also promotes its Oct. 2 premiere event, when the new film will be screened in stores.

Parable Christian Stores feature Emily Colson's Dancing with Max, pricing the memoir at $14.97, down from $16.99. Mardel Christian & Education offers Max Lucado's Out Live Your Life for $17.99, $7 off the regular price, and David Platt's Radical for $10.99 instead of $14.99. Mardel also takes $10 off the new Family Reading Bible, pricing it at $29.99.