Showing results by narrator "Al Kessel" in All Categories

In Liturgical Mission, Winfield Bevins argues that the church's liturgy and sacramental life are in fact deeply missional. He explores the historic practices of the Christian church, demonstrating how they offer a holistic framework for everyday Christian discipleship and mission in the twenty-first century. The result is a book that not only invites all Christians back to the historic liturgy of the church, but also invites those already in liturgical churches to rediscover the missional life that has too often remained latent in their own traditions.

Challenging–the word that defines running a business. If you are an owner, manager, or up-and-comer in one of the 30 million small businesses in North America, then this book is for you. I deliver practical approaches to reduce fixed overhead, control escalating expenses, and make your business more profitable in record time.

In Gang Politics, Kristian Williams examines our society's understanding of social and political violence, what gets romanticized, misunderstood, or muddled. He explores the complex intersections between "gangs" of all sorts—cops and criminals, Proud Boys and Antifa, Panthers and skinheads—arguing that government and criminality are intimately related, often sharing critical features.

Psychotherapist and former pastor Eric Minton claims that the pernicious melding of capitalism and Christianity means a world of competition, perfection, and scarcity disguised as self-help and self-care. Rather than shaming, silencing, or medicating away our disappointment at not having obtained the happiness we were promised, however, Minton posits a radical alternative. In an impertinent, droll, yet pastoral voice, Minton suggests that our "not-okayness" will require rethinking everything we thought we knew.

Former high school quarterback Leo Cecchino sacrificed his dreams for his family. Unfulfilled by the daily grind of their ailing farm, he can’t help but feel resentment. But, he’s soon redirecting his smoldering frustration into battle rage when his small town is invaded by bloodthirsty Russians armed with a zombie virus. Forced from his home to a secret hideaway, Leo tries desperately to spread the word and defend his country.

America's political landscape is experiencing dangerous polarization and fragmentation, with the extremes pulling the country apart. Voices on the left and right clash over different worldviews, narratives, definitions of America, and what it means to be an American citizen. The levels of incivility and hostility lead some to invoke the language of a cold civil war or even a looming civil war, one that could split the country in two. Is there any way to step back from this dangerous precipice?

Prepare to smile! Listen to this audiobook to your own inner child or to any child as told by a mom and her kids. Their darling voices will make you smile and lift your spirits. Keep this audiobook handy and listen to it often as a reminder of just how wonderfully precious is your child, inner or outer. Share it with others. This delightful set of poetic affirmations is great for children of all ages. So, come hear how wonderful it is to discover the answer to the question: "Who else can love you"?

The concept of beating markets is just a lot of hype. Successful investors don't find "alpha," they find value - and that's what this book helps you do. Chris Schelling explains why strategies based on "beating the markets" are doomed to failure and provides a simple three-step framework for making better investment decisions: Behavior (smart thinking), Process (smart habits), Organization (smart governance).

While the Bible is enough to take us to heaven, knowing history helps us live more wisely on our way. George Orwell observed in 1984 that those who pay attention to history have the potential to influence the future. Stuck in the Present offers a grounding in historical consciousness that allows us to better navigate the daily bombardment of information. Amnesia about the past makes us vulnerable to the shackles of modern-day hucksters who try to convince us that the present is all that matters.

America, 1985. Anton can’t forgive his brother’s stupidity. Furious his elder sibling left on a mission without rescuing their captured family friends, the hot-headed teenager impetuously sets off to run his own dangerous extraction. But his reckless infiltration into the Soviet’s prison camp only results in his own capture. Nonna never forgot war’s cold caress.

Northern California, 1985. Leo Cecchino won’t rest until his people are safe. Leading the battle against the Soviet walking dead, he turns to his ex-girlfriend’s chess master sister to calculate their next move. But with the commie invaders deliberately infecting American innocents, they’re running out of time to stop the streets from flowing with rivers of blood.

Invading troops with a deadly virus. A young man fighting for his life. Will flesh-eating monsters run out the clock on America’s future? Northern California, 1985. Former high school quarterback Leo Cecchino sacrificed his dreams for his family. Unfulfilled by the daily grind of their ailing farm, he can’t help but feel resentment. But he’s soon redirecting his smoldering frustration into battle rage when his small town is invaded by bloodthirsty Russians armed with a zombie virus. Can Leo snatch victory from the undead jaws of defeat?

The Bible is often presented as an antiquated document filled with mysterious prophesies, unbelievable fables, and arbitrary decisions by a God whose actions range from anger and vengeance to love and forgiveness. The Bible's creation story appears to be at complete odds with more credible scientific explanations of the origins and evolution of life, and believers in Biblical truth are further challenged by haunting questions about why a good God would create a world so full of evil, pain, suffering, and death. Satan's Dare takes these issues and questions head-on.

Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices explores the hidden influences and mental shortcuts our minds use to process information and how that often leads to unhealthy food choices. Understanding these hidden influences can help us make better decisions. More importantly, we can learn to fear less, and enjoy more, the food we eat.

In today's technology-driven culture, reading has become a lost art. With smartphones offering information at the tap of a finger, reading a book is often seen as a tedious and outdated activity. Christians are not immune to this problem, as many find it hard to read books - even the Bible - consistently and attentively. Recovering the Lost Art of Reading addresses these timely issues by exploring the importance of reading generally as well as studying the Bible as literature, giving practical suggestions along the way.

Even pastors struggle to keep going sometimes. When Dr. Jack Graham had a major surgery 10 years ago, he knew it would take a physical toll, but to his surprise, he also found himself wiped out emotionally and spiritually. He wrestled with depression, and he struggled to find joy and growth in his walk with Christ. Maybe you've been through a crisis of your own. Or maybe the busyness of life has overwhelmed you, or your faith has grown stale over the years and you've just been going through the motions. So how do you get back to being spiritually energized?

A Place Called Heaven Devotional includes 100 devotions to elevate your thinking from earthbound concerns to heavenbound comforts. Each devotional includes reflection questions and a closing prayer to assist you in seeking the things above.

The Christian life is a battle, but many believers today don't realize their involvement in spiritual warfare. Our secular society, characterized by doubt and spiritual skepticism, leaves many Christians embarrassed even to talk about demonic forces of opposition. In order to awaken Christians to the battle around them and prepare them for it, Robert Smart surveys the terrain, identifies the enemy, and conveys defensive and offensive maneuvers for combating Satan.

We all need to pay bills and keep a roof over our head, but real satisfaction comes when we pursue careers filled with meaning and purpose according to God's plan for our lives. No matter where you're at now, you can find that kind of fulfillment in a career. This audiobook will show you how. Here's a hint: It's less about the kind of work you do, but how you do it and for whom you're doing it.

As a pastor in Manhattan, John Starke knows the bustle and busyness of our society. But he also knows that prayer is not just for spiritual giants. Prayer, he writes, is for each of us - not because we are full of spiritual wisdom and maturity, but because we are empty. Here is an invitation to discover, via the church's ancient rhythms and with Starke's clear, practical guidance, the possibility of prayer. Here is a book about prayer that is really a book about the whole Christian life.