Looking for a new morning devotion? Planning for some upcoming holiday free time and need a good book to read? While Starkville is replete with places to buy MSU gear and trinkets for your home, one thing we don’t have is a dedicated Christian bookstore. In fact, one of the closest places to go to find one is Tupelo, and that’s quite a haul. However, did you know that our very own church library stocks tons of resources for all members of our congregation, and the best part is, it’s free? 

Our church library is located in The Cove, and it is accessible to anyone in the church during its operating hours on Sundays and Wednesdays. Thanks to some new technology, it’s also really easy to use. For first-time users, just visit The Cove where you will find an iPad that has an app called Librarika. Simply click on the app, and it will direct you to set up your own account. Each member of the family who plans to utilize the library will need to create a separate account. Once you’re in the system, you’ll have access to the online catalog where you can browse all of the church’s selections at your leisure or search for specific authors, titles or subjects. When you find a book you want, you just follow the instructions in the app to check it out, and someone in The Cove will help you physically locate the book. Once you’re finished with the book, you can return it to The Cove and select your next read. You can also download the app to your own phone or tablet, that way you’ll be able to browse selections from home and know when the book you’re waiting for has been returned. 

In addition to the church library which is chock full of physical materials, the church also gifts its members access to RightNow Media, an online source full of visual content. RightNow Media offers a host of videos for a range of ages on a multitude of topics. It’s perfect for family entertainment or material for your D-Group. Some of the content found on RightNow Media includes the topics of parenting, leadership, finances, marriage, and children. Once you register for an account by visiting fbcstarkville.com/rightnowmedia, you can download the RightNow Media app on your phone, tablet, computer, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, or Chromecast, which means you’ll have access to all of this content virtually anywhere you go!

Be sure to take advantage of all of the free resources available to you through our library and RightNow Media. Between the two, there is a seemingly endless array of content to challenge and encourage and even to entertain you. If you ever need any help or recommendations, be sure to check with our Family Ministry Staff – Charity Gwaltney (preschool), Leah Frances Eaton (children), Neil Tullos (youth), Nathan Taylor (university & missions), or Jason Duran (discipleship & family ministry).

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

• Picture Word Prayers by Erikson/Conteh-Morgan
• Buginnings: Colors &  ABCs by Max Lucado
• Train ‘Em Up Series
• The First Night by B.G. Hennessy
• The Great Alphabet Fight
• by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Jensen
• The Parent Adventure  by Rodney & Selma Wilson
• Raising Boys and Girls by Sissy Goff & David Thomas
• Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch
• Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
• Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner
• Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality by Dr. Jim Burns
• 12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid: Leading Your Kids to Succeed in Life by Tim Elmore
• Your Teenager is Not Crazy: Understanding Your Teen’s Brain Can Make You a Better Parent by Jeremy Clark and Jerusha Clark 
• Right Click: Parenting Your Teenager in a Digital Media World
• by Kara Powell 
• It’s Just a Phase by Reggie Joiner
• The Grown Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans by Josh Shipp
• Tech Wise Family by Andy Crouch

RESOURCES FOR KIDS

• The Case for Christ series by Lee Strobel 

• For the voracious reader (boys especially): 

• The Prince Warrior series by Priscilla Shrirer

ON RIGHTNOW MEDIA:

• Boz
• VeggieTales
• Auto B Good
• Paws and Tales
• Hermie and Friends

RESOURCES ON MISSIONS

For purchase in the Cove:

In advance of the Insanity of God Encounter this January 26-27, I encourage church members to read the two Nik Ripken books, The Insanity of God and The Insanity of Obedience. These books document the Ripken's experience in missions and point you toward a life of obedience both locally and globally. 

In the FBC Library:

• For less selfish prayers: Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney 
• For Biblical answers to tough questions: The Reason for God  by Timothy Keller