New Releases by Michael Phillips

Destiny Junction is a small town, not unlike any other small town in America. As its name implies, however, it becomes the place where many people''s lives meet destiny. Through one young lady''s obedient Christian life and the work of the Holy Spirit subsequent to her murder, the lives of many people in the town of Destiny Junction are...

For many years, best-selling author Michael Phillips assumed he clearly understood the life of Jesus. Though Jesus was in truth his Savior, and even his Lord, Phillips felt challenged to understand more of the remarkable life lived two thousand years ago in Palestine. Then came a crisis in his spiritual pilgrimage when circumstances forced him...

The author of Dream of Freedom returns to the South, where one family risks everything to help runaway slaves, as the drums of Civil War begin to sound. With their beloved plantation, Greenwood, now a vital link in the Underground Railroad, Richmond and Carolyn Davidson must balance the need for safety with their commitment to helping the many runaways who appear at their door. Compounding their danger, the Davidson''s neighbors, the Beaumonts, do not approve of their decision—and view them with suspicion. The danger intensifies when the Davidsons'' older son, Seth, becomes engaged to Veronica, the Beaumonts'' beautiful, scheming daughter—against her parents'' wishes. As the two families are swept up in events leading up to the Civil War, they must choose sides—in a conflict that will change their lives forever.

A Southern family is torn apart by Civil War—and their convictions—in the final American Dreams novel from the author of Dream of Life. As the Civil War rages on, plantation owners Richmond and Carolyn Davidson continue to follow the path God set out for them—as an important link in the Underground Railroad, helping runaway slaves flee to the Northern states. Meanwhile, their older son, Seth, is working as a war photographer for the North—and their younger, Thomas, is a Confederate soldier. Torn by war on both sides, the Davidsons pray for both of their sons to come home safe—even as they struggle to keep their land in the face of financial troubles. When Seth is reported missing and feared dead, the family despairs. But his new love, Cherity Waters, refuses to accept the news passively. She sets out on a dangerous journey through the war-torn South to find Seth—and bring him home safe.

In this Christian fantasy novel for children of all ages, a young boy embarks on a perilous adventure to save the creatures of a magical forest. When fourteen-year-old Matthew Robinson enters the Forest of Pellanor, he and his brother and sister have no idea what''s in store for them. All of Pellanor has been waiting for them to rescue its creatures from a danger that threatens the forest families and the life they have known. But to defeat the evil deceiver Argon, Matthew must first master his courage—and his faith. Noted devotional author Michael Phillips delivers a delightfully engaging Christian allegory in the tradition of George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis.

Political unrest shakes the foundations of a war-torn country—and of the McCallum family as they fight for their faith in the Secret of the Rose series. Many years after their daring escape from a divided Germany, Sabina and Matthew McCallum return with their son, Tad, to attend a conference on preaching the gospel of Christ in a country still scarred by the Cold War. What they discover is troubling. Western Christianity, while well intentioned, is not filling the unique needs of Christians in the East. And even though the Cold War is over, political strife is bubbling just below the surface, and Sabina and Matthew become entangled in a Communist plot to seize control of Eastern Europe. Once again, the couple must call upon their instinctive talent for survival—and their deep faith in God''s protection—to save their family.

A dramatic escape from the Iron Curtain tests the convictions of a father and daughter on the run in the Secret of the Rose series. Aided by her one-time love, the American Matthew McCallum, Sabina von Dortmann has succeeded in rescuing her father from a Russian prison where he was held by the Nazis for many years. But now Matthew and the von Dortmanns must begin the far more challenging task of escaping the Iron Curtain and eluding the Communist authorities. Once important members of an underground network dedicated to helping Jews escape the Nazi death camps, the von Dortmanns themselves must now rely on strangers in a hostile country—as well as their unwavering faith in God—to find their freedom.

Family and faith guide one man through the buildup to World War II in this unforgettable saga—first in the Secret of the Rose series. In 1930s pre-war Prussia, Baron von Dortmann lives an idyllic life with his daughter Sabina. A devoted gardener and father, the Baron teaches his daughter powerful lessons about life, creation, and God''s love during treasured walks in the estate''s beautiful gardens. But Sabina is growing up, and the Baron''s beloved Prussia is changing. Now a beautiful young woman, Sabina has caught the eye of a handsome young American, Matthew. Meanwhile, a cloud is gathering on the horizon as the Nazis seize power in neighboring Germany. As he strives to protect his family and follow his own moral compass, Baron von Dortmann will face heart-wrenching decisions, with only God''s guidance to light the way. "Watching Sabina and her parents in the Secret of the Rose series as they dealt with Nazi antagonism caused me to ponder exactly what it would have been like to live amongst such challenges. Sabina''s zest for life and faith in God are encouragement to live in a way that honors the Lord, no matter what life-threatening challenges may arise." — Kindred Grace

Winner of the American Horticulture Society Book Award “Phillip’s first-hand knowledge anchors this innovative and highly readable book in practical wisdom that both beginner and long-time fruit growers will find invaluable.”—Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden Many people want to grow fruit on a small scale but lack the insight to be successful orchardists. As The Holistic Orchard illustrates, growing tree fruits and berries is something virtually anyone can do. A holistic grower knows that producing fruit is not about manipulating nature but more importantly, fostering nature. The Holistic Orchard demystifies the basic skills everybody should know about the orchard ecosystem, focusing on: Orchard design Soil biology Organic health management Grafting Planting Pruning Choosing the right varieties for your climate Includes a step-by-step instructional calendar to guide growers through the entire orchard year! Fruit profiles include: pome fruits (apples, pears, asian pears, quinces) stone fruits (cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums) berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, currants, and elderberries) Phillips completely changed the conversation about healthy orcharding with his first bestselling book, The Apple Grower, and now he takes that dialogue even further by exploring: The connections between home orcharding and permaculture The importance of native pollinators Plantings with shade-tolerant berry bushes and other insectary plants Information on cover crops and biodiversity Safe, homegrown solutions to pest and disease challenges All along the way, Phillips’ expertise and enthusiasm for healthy growing shines through, as does his ability to put the usual horticultural facts into an integrated ecology perspective. With The Holistic Orchard in your hand you have every reason in the world to confidently plant that very first—or next—fruit tree!

In a state assumed to have a constitutionally weak governor, the Speaker of the Texas House wields enormous power, with the ability to almost single-handedly dictate the legislative agenda. The House Will Come to Order charts the evolution of the Speaker''s role from a relatively obscure office to one of the most powerful in the state. This fascinating account, drawn from the Briscoe Center''s oral history project on the former Speakers, is the story of transition, modernization, and power struggles. Weaving a compelling story of scandal, service, and opportunity, Patrick Cox and Michael Phillips describe the divisions within the traditional Democratic Party, the ascendance of Republicans, and how Texas business, agriculture, and media shaped perceptions of officeholders. While the governor and lieutenant governor wielded their power, the authors show how the modern Texas House Speaker built an office of equal power as the state became more complex and diverse. The authors also explore how race, class, and gender affected this transition as they explain the importance of the office in Texas and the impact the state''s Speakers have had on national politics. At the apex of its power, the Texas House Speaker''s role at last receives the critical consideration it deserves.

Winner, T. R. Fehrenbach Award, Texas Historical Commission, 2007 From the nineteenth century until today, the power brokers of Dallas have always portrayed their city as a progressive, pro-business, racially harmonious community that has avoided the racial, ethnic, and class strife that roiled other Southern cities. But does this image of Dallas match the historical reality? In this book, Michael Phillips delves deeply into Dallas''s racial and religious past and uncovers a complicated history of resistance, collaboration, and assimilation between the city''s African American, Mexican American, and Jewish communities and its white power elite. Exploring more than 150 years of Dallas history, Phillips reveals how white business leaders created both a white racial identity and a Southwestern regional identity that excluded African Americans from power and required Mexican Americans and Jews to adopt Anglo-Saxon norms to achieve what limited positions of power they held. He also demonstrates how the concept of whiteness kept these groups from allying with each other, and with working- and middle-class whites, to build a greater power base and end elite control of the city. Comparing the Dallas racial experience with that of Houston and Atlanta, Phillips identifies how Dallas fits into regional patterns of race relations and illuminates the unique forces that have kept its racial history hidden until the publication of this book.

When loss and tragedy drive the joy from her life, Seffie quickly learns to guard her heart and hide her past. Secretly, Seffie nurtures a new dream: to seek freedom in the North. But even if she succeeds, can she face the final test of fire?

C.1 COUNTY FUNDS. B & T. 12-12-2006. $12.99.

For decades fruit growers have sprayed their trees with toxic chemicals in an attempt to control a range of insect and fungal pests. Yet it is possible to grow apples responsibly, by applying the intuitive knowledge of our great-grandparents with the fruits of modern scientific research and innovation. Since The Apple Grower first appeared in 1998, orchardist Michael Phillips has continued his research with apples, which have been called “organic’s final frontier.” In this new edition of his widely acclaimed work, Phillips delves even deeper into the mysteries of growing good fruit with minimal inputs. Some of the cutting-edge topics he explores include: The use of kaolin clay as an effective strategy against curculio and borers, as well as its limitations Creating a diverse, healthy orchard ecosystem through understory management of plants, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms How to make a small apple business viable by focusing on heritage and regional varieties, value-added products, and the “community orchard” model The author’s personal voice and clear-eyed advice have already made The Apple Grower a classic among small-scale growers and home orchardists. In fact, anyone serious about succeeding with apples needs to have this updated edition on their bookshelf.

This updated edition of The Village Herbalist provides a complete guide to the art and practice of herbalism, as well as an introduction to the herbalist’s role in family and community life. Inspirational profiles of practicing herbalists from across the country add a human touch to the authors’ wealth of practical herbal knowledge. The Herbalist’s Way includes time-honored healing wisdom from many cultures, as well as information on: • Roles and responsibilities of herbalists in their communities • Herbal workshops, conferences, and education centers • Growing, drying, and preparing medicinal herbs • Learning to listen to clients and recommend holistic treatments for healing and continued wellness • Licensing, marketing, and other legal and business issues facing modern herbalists • Comprehensive resources and suggestions for building your herbal library

Two years have passed since the conclusion of the Shenandoah Sisters series, and Katie and Mayme are young women with big dreams, running Rosewood with the help of their two uncles and their friends Emma, Josepha, Jeremiah, and Henry. Jeremiah proposes to Mayme, but she is hesitant to accept. She loves him but does not want to give up her life at Rosewood. Local whites are furious at the Daniels brothers for harboring blacks at Rosewood and treating them like equals. The newly rising KKK kidnaps Jeremiah and plans to hang him. Will the brothers rescue him in time? Or will Mayme live to regret not saying yes to Jeremiah when she had the chance? Carolina Cousins Book 1

Two girls, brought together amid the turmoil of the Civil War, are forced to break down prejudices to survive. Shenandoah Sisters Book 1.

Book 1 of SHENANDOAH SISTERS. Two young Southern girls, one the daughter of a plantation owner and one the daughter of a slave, barely survive the onset of the Civil War and the loss of both their families. When these tragic circumstances bring them together, they join forces to discover if they can make a life for themselves. As their preconceptions give way to experience, they gradually learn to value their contrasting and complementing strengths and skills as they face the formidable task of keeping body and soul together in the aftermath of this devastating war. But is it possible the Lord they have come to know has something bigger in mind for the plantation than either of them can imagine?

After more than 10 years or searching I have finally tracked down the remaining, brand new old copies of alternative man. They were found in a sealed box in the corner of a decommissioned ICBM silo in New Mexico, but that''s all I can say about it. Let the rejoicing begin. Or something.

A wedding is on the horizon for the preacher woman and the cowboy—if evil-doings don''t separate them first. Second in the faith-filled Western series. After a visit to her family in Louisville, young evangelist Mercy Randolph returns to her new home in Sweetriver, Kansas, and suddenly finds herself in the midst of dangers moving as fast as a tornado. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Eagleflight must learn to deal with his new faith and his new love—while risking everything he has to save his reckless nephew from the evil plans of the Medicine Bow Gang. Mercy is tested in ways she could never have imagined and must decide if she has the boldness and wisdom to thwart the gang''s schemes. Will her bravery be enough to guarantee her a future with Jeremiah?

The Seven Laws of Money tells how to live with money: how to get it, care for it, and forget about it. An underground classic among corporate executives, accountants, and entrepreneurs since the 1970s, it is rooted in the author''s commitment to right livelihood, to learning how the world works, to a willingness to "fail young," and to networking. Phillips shows how to combine these principles with the seven laws to engender a healthy, fearless attitude toward money.

The acclaimed Christian author shares a devotional and thought-provoking exploration of God''s Fatherhood. We all experience a desire to run into the arms of the Father and feel safe and secure, to be able to know him and know that he understands us completely. If this kind of closeness to God has somehow eluded you, perhaps it has something to do with how you think about him. In this book, Michael Phillips takes you on a spiritual journey that will lead you into the arms of God the Father. A God to Call Father explores an often-overlooked aspect of our spirituality. It suggests that we are plagued by a misunderstanding of the character of God the Father—who he truly is and what he is really like. Following in the tradition of George MacDonald and Hannah Hurnard, Phillips weaves a beautiful allegory throughout the book, paralleling the path toward the intimate presence of God in your life.

A Christian journalist researching a fast-growing global ministry uncovers a web of deception and scandal in this novel of faith, greed, and corruption. Evangelist Jacob Michaels has gained global renown with his successful ministry, Evangelize the World. But when Christian magazine reporter Jackson Maxwell starts researching Michaels and his organization, his questions quickly hit a nerve. Michaels''s ambitious assistant is less than forthcoming about their new development project—or the donations it''s generating. As Evangelize the World is on its way to becoming a global media empire, Jackson pursues the dark secrets beneath its glittering surface. Committed to the truth, and his conviction that God''s representatives must be held accountable, he''s determined to expose a devious scheme no matter the consequences.

In this comprehensive book dealing with how to run a one-person business, the authors address typical concerns of the very small organization. They discuss standard business topics such as bookkeeping, marketing, and finance with the needs of the sole proprietor in mind. They also cover matters unique to one-person businesses--planning back-up help, preventing a sense of isolation, as well as time management and office equipment. ISBN 0-89815-237-2 (pbk.): $12.00.