- Thursday, December 14, 2023

This year, Higher Ground has been blessed to interview dozens of authors and speakers and cover various books and clothing lines that are inspired by the creator’s Christian faith. Here’s an ultimate Christmas gift guide of books and other items to help you and your family find encouragement amid a chaotic landscape.

Merry Christmas!

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Gifts for kids

‘The Fox, the Fair, and the Invention Scare’ by Kirk Cameron

The Fox, The Fair, and the Invention Scare,” is Kirk Cameron’s third release with conservative publisher Brave Books and tells the story of a fox and a giraffe who overcome the animosity of their families to become friends.

“It’s a great little story for kids to learn what it means to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to do good to those who hate you, and love those with whom you’ve been fighting,” Mr. Cameron told The Washington Times.

‘The Test of Lionhood’ by Kevin Sorbo

From conservative publisher Brave Books, actor and director Kevin Sorbo debuted “The Test of Lionhood,” an illustrated story that seeks to “revive men’s roles in society by first instilling bravery, sacrifice, strength, and courage in young boys” at a time when “chivalry and manhood” are under attack by society, the publisher said.

“It’s basically about the masculinization of men, instead of the emasculation of men,” Mr. Sorbo told The Times. “It’s about helping boys to become boys and let girls be girls, and let them decide what they want their lives to be about when they get old enough to make a decision on their own.”

‘Pride Comes Before the Fall’ by Kirk Cameron

Mr. Cameron’s book “Pride Comes Before the Fall” from publisher Brave Books is based on Proverbs 16:18, which says “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,” and was released ahead of Pride Month when stores are flooded with pro-LBGTQ products and messages.

“My book is not an anti-gay book. It is a pro-humility book,” Mr. Cameron told The Times. “For those who would try to attack me for this being something other than what it is, frankly — that’s prideful. And I would suggest they buy a copy of my book.”

‘A Message in the Moon’ by Roma Downey

Actress and producer Roma Downey wrote a children’s book to help kids of all ages deal with loss, grief and times of transition. “A Message in the Moon” is based on the comforting message Mrs. Downey’s father gave her when she first left for college in an age before cellphones and video calls.

“[My dad] pointed to the sky and he pointed to the moon and said, ‘If you ever miss me or are feeling homesick, just look at the moon, Roma, because I’m going to leave a message in the moon,’” Mrs. Downey explained. “And so it brought me great comfort for those first few semesters. I looked to the night sky and I would feel great comfort and strength because my dad would leave me his love messages in the moon. And in return, I would send a message back to him.”

‘The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln’ by Raymond Arroyo

Author and journalist Raymond Arroyo discovered a fascinating and heartwarming story when researching President Abraham Lincoln – a tale he knew needed to be illustrated for children in “The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln.”

“[Abraham and Tad] went everywhere together — to review troops, to major addresses, when he traveled to see the Civil War front. Tad Lincoln was always at his side,” Mr. Arroyo said. “And I started asking myself why, and as I dug into that, it helped me not only understand this bond between father and son that I think we all can profit from, but the importance of a child. Not only in the life of a family, but in the life of a nation.”

Gifts for adults

‘Is God Real?: Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life’ by Lee Strobel

Bestselling author Lee Strobel tackles one of life’s most pressing questions, providing fascinating evidence for biblical truth in his new book “Is God Real?” Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life.”

“We’re seeing a decrease in the percentage of Americans who believe in God,” said Mr. Strobel. “It’s down to 81 percent, the lowest ever … and, yet, I believe that is spawning increased openness to spiritual matters.”

‘The New Fight for Life: Roe, Race, and a Pro-Life Commitment to Justice’ by Benjamin Watson

Former NFL tight end and Super Bowl champion Benjamin Watson may not be on the field anymore, but he’s continued his passion to fight for life. His new book “The New Fight for Life: Roe, Race, and a Pro-Life Commitment to Justice” examines the real-world challenges that pro-life organizations face as they work with pregnant women in need while inspiring the next generation to create lasting change.

“There are a large group of women who really don’t want to get the abortion, but feel like it’s necessary because either their partner is not standing with them or there’s health care issues or child care issues, or housing or employment,” said Mr. Watson, who now serves as Vice President of Strategic Relationships for Human Coalition. “I want the pro-life movement to be prepared to enter into some of these issues … in a way that might be different than before and cast a wider net than before so that we address some of these driving factors.”

‘Hijacking Jesus: How Progressive Christians Are Remaking Him and Taking Over His Church’ by Jason Jimenez

Apologist Jason Jimenez’s latest book, “Hijacking Jesus: How Progressive Christians Are Remaking Him and Taking Over His Church,” is an investigative look at the progressive invasion and takeover of Christianity. He unpacks the various factions and beliefs that make up progressive Christianity and offers six points that progressive Christians might use in arguments and six counterpoints for biblical Christians to have at their disposal.

“This is not an attack against an individual person,” he said. “But I feel very strongly … that progressive Christianity is a false religion. They are not saving Jesus from the church, they are not improving on who Jesus really is.”

‘Wimpy, Weak & Woke: How truth can save America from utopian destruction’ by John Cooper

John Cooper, frontman of “Skillet” and author of “Wimpy, Weak, & Woke,” doesn’t shy away from calling out the ills of our current culture, including a weak church that is allowing the “de-evolution of society.”

“America was founded on these principles of absolute truth … and a moral code based on Judeo-Christian ethics,” Mr. Cooper said. “All that has been challenged, truth has been challenged … and if we go down this road of postmodernism and saying ’there is no such thing as absolute morality and absolute truth, it will lead to the destruction of society.’ And everyone thought it was alarmist … and here we are in 2023.”

Unitus Clothing Apparel

When NBA player Jonathan Isaac refused to kneel during the national anthem amid the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020, it sparked a new determination in him to wear his Godly principles and values on his sleeve — literally. Fast forward three years, and the Orlando Magic forward recently launched his own sports and apparel company, Unitus, to encourage others to not be ashamed of what they believe.

“Unitus was taking the values that I hold dear, in my personal life: faith, family, freedom and a plethora of other ones, and putting them on a pedestal through, in my opinion, really dope merch, and allowing people to join the community and wear their values on their sleeve and not be ashamed of them,” Mr. Isaac told The Times.

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