Most times, movie sequels are not as good as the original. However, Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian, holds its own.

When a young, pre-captain James Kirk hears this plea from a decorated Starfleet officer in the new J.J. Abrams revamp of Star Trek, something triggers, prompting him to give up a soulless existence and step into his destiny.

A little bit Back to the Future, a little bit 13 Going on 30 and you get 17 Again—or at least it looks that way.

Restoring the Christian Family

By John Loren and Paula Sandford, Charisma House, softcover, 320 pages, $14.99.

Books on parenting tips and marriage advice abound on bookstore shelves today. But John Loren and Paula Sandford’s approach examines the entire structure and interaction of the Christian family. They emphasize that Christian values must be the basis for every aspect of the family, from marriage to discipline to nurturing and everything in between. The authors stress that Christian families develop and thrive when each member first focuses on his relationship to God, and that parents should not try to be perfect, instead allowing Christ to lead and work within the family. They don’t limit their teaching to just the traditional family. The authors also discuss such topics as divorce, remarriage and grown children returning to live at home. The Sandfords provide wise insights into biblical principles from which all Christian families can benefit. —Jeff Friend

The Prophetic Church

By R. Loren Sandford, Chosen, softcover, 224 pages, $14.99.

In a world of increasing spiritual darkness, Christians are crying out for a great revival to sweep the land. But according to R. Loren Sandford, senior pastor of New Song Fellowship, real culture-changing revival must come through the emergence of prophetic lighthouse churches. These communities are characterized by focusing on God’s presence, allowing the freedom for God to move, cultivating a culture of honor and providing a healing atmosphere. Sandford provides many biblical and personal examples of the functioning of a prophetic lighthouse church, and shows the impact it can have on the culture when passion for God and the unity of the believers replace formality and indifference. His message is not one of condemnation but of encouragement and hope that lighthouse churches will rise up and be beacons of God’s love and grace in a dark land. —Jeff Friend

Evidence For The Resurrection

By Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, Regal Books, hardcover, 224 pages, $22.99.

With Easter approaching and modern skeptics still questioning Christ’s resurrection, this volume by leading apologist Josh McDowell and his son, Sean, provides reassurance of the truth of those accounts. Released simultaneously in editions for teens (Jesus: Dead or Alive?) and children (Jesus is Alive!), this heavily researched book is divided into three parts. They explore the need for the resurrection, its personal meaning and the evidence for this event. Mature believers may want to skim the first two sections to delve into the last half concerning the evidence. Of note is the chapter in which the authors review facts that must be reckoned with in any discussion of the resurrection. They also address various attempts to explain it away, documenting ways in which critics have relied on fancy or personal opinion to attack its veracity. Ultimately, the McDowells show that historical accounts and scriptural testimony line up at the same place—the resurrection is for real. No other explanation can account for a church that survives 2,000 years after Jesus rose from the grave. —Ken Walker

8:34PM EST 1/25/2009

Your Name features songs by praise and worship artists, including Phil Wickham, Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster and Leeland Mooring. With the exception of the title track, each of these pop-rock tunes explores a different name for God, from “Healer” and “Almighty” to “Lord” and “Savior.”

The Father’s Dance, which has been nominated in six categories for the 2008 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, is a call to freedom and a message of restoration for the family.

If there’s one thing that comes through on Times of Refreshing, it’s that Stephen Hurd is a sincere musician who enjoys encouraging others. This live recording from Hurd’s home church in Maryland hits the encouragement mark.

A trip to India inspired Delirious frontman Martin Smith and wife Anna to help the poor, and Compassion Art was born. Smith invited 12 well-known musicians and songwriters to create songs that will forever be donated to the poor—all proceeds ever generated will help the poor worldwide.

Actress Dyan Cannon's Christian meetings on a CBS backlot just might be the best show in Tinseltown. And her testimony is changing attitudes in a community known for its hostility to the gospel.

When an offbeat suspense thriller called Left Behind hit bookstore shelves in 1995, no one could have predicted its astonishing success.

How do you describe both a beginning and an end? That's the suspenseful question viewers are asked at the beginning of Left Behind: The Movie, the apocalyptic prophecy movie by Christian filmmakers Peter and Paul LaLonde.

Christian music is shaking off yesterday's confines to reach an unchurched audience. Is it OK if we go mainstream?