Showing results by narrator "Maurice England" in All Categories

There have been times when you've felt that if there isn't a God, there ought to be. Swept up in the mystery of the night sky, you've felt the closeness of its designer. Nature's extravagant diversity, unfolding in living color, has made you long to know the artist who dreamed it all up. Imagine what that might be like - to actually know God in a way that fills your heart and whispers tremendous value and purpose to something deep within you. But how can you experience a being you're not even sure exists?

Noted author and pastor Andy Stanley points out that by investing energy into intentionally designed organizational systems, leaders can create powerful, sustainable ministries God can use to transform lives.

Tornadoes. Tsunamis. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Why does God allow such disasters to happen? We find ourselves asking, are these truly the acts of a loving and compassionate God? In An Act of God?, pastor and best-selling author Erwin W. Lutzer tackles this tough subject head-on, offering real answers as well as comfort and hope to those who struggle with challenges to their faith.

How to find your best fit. Whether you grew up going to church twice on Sundays or never set foot in a church at all, finding and sinking your roots into a church community is crucial to your spiritual well-being. Finding the right church home can be a huge challenge, and also a lot of fun. Kevin and Sherry Harney point out that, while no church is perfect, some will fit you better than others. They show what a healthy church looks like, how to handle hot issues facing churches today, and how to determine whether a church's unique worship style will inspire or distract you.

Stories Behind the Traditions and Songs of Easter reveals the real inspiration behind the customs, symbols, and special music of Easter. Through his gift as a storyteller, award-winning author Ace Collins brings new meaning and depth to the celebration of Easter.

A companion to Game Plan for Life NIV Bible, Joe Gibbs that will inspire and encourage sports fans and “regular Joes”. Most men want to know what it takes to be a success in life - not just with wealth and awards, but to be truly great as a husband, father, son, and neighbor. Coach Gibbs knows both success and failure, but he has learned that no matter how much you plan for your life, it’s God’s plan that will bring you happiness. Game Plan for Life Chalk Talks includes inspiring stories, practical application, a Scripture verse, and prayer.

An illuminating example of friendship as a vital way God answers our need for guidance, encouragement, affirmation, and correction. Most of the time, what we need to help us through the struggles in our lives is not the advice of an expert but the wisdom of a friend. Through this series of eloquent letters written to a life-long friend, author Eugene Peterson demonstrates friendship as a means to Christian maturity.

Robert Griffin III exploded onto the NFL scene with a style and flair anything but typical. With a Heisman Trophy on his mantel, RG3 entered professional football in 2012 under a spotlight that glowed beyond his own team, the Washington Redskins. Could the Baylor graduate electrify the NFL as he had the college game? Could he return a fabled franchise to the realm of elite Super Bowl contenders? Ted Kluck deepens the listener’s connection to a man who became the face of a revered NFL franchise before his 23rd birthday.

Farmer Brown is busy decorating his home in preparation for Santa's arrival on Christmas Eve! But once again Duck has gotten the whole barnyard stuck in quite a predicament! Will anyone be able to unstick Duck and save Christmas?

It's time for the annual Corn Maze Festival. The farm is bursting with activity. Cluck! Whack! The chickens build a fence around the cornfield. Moo! Thwack! The cows give the barn a fresh coat of paint. Thump. Quack! Duck builds the ticket booth for the hot-air balloon ride. Everyone is excited. Well, Duck is not excited, exactly. But he has a plan.

A simple surgery went horribly wrong. Steve Sjogren died on the operating table. He encountered a heavenly world where he felt infinite peace. And then he had to come back - back to a physical reality filled with pain and disability and an endless line of tests. The drama of dying suddenly paled in comparison to the trauma of living. Sjogren could not face this new existence with his same old comfortable understanding of God.

It took you and your spouse a while to adjust to life after marriage. You recently added a couple of children to your family and your roles and priorities have shifted yet again. The Chapman Guide Now What? will help you and your spouse figure out how to keep your marriage going strong after the children arrive. Discover how to create a godly framework for dealing with common marriage issues that arise once kids are in the picture.

This short and accessible audiobook explains what prayer is, why it exists, and how it can encourage us in our lives of faith. Written by a pastor with years of teaching and counseling experience, Why We Pray doesn't simply tell listeners why they should pray but instead focuses on four blessing-filled reasons that will help Christians want to pray.

Farmer Brown does not like Halloween, so he draws the shades, puts on his footy pajamas, and climbs into bed. But do you think the barnyard animals have any respect for a man in footy pajamas? No, they do not. For them the Halloween party has just begun. And we all know these critters far prefer tricks over treats. There are big surprises in store for Farmer Brown!

In the new film Courageous (from the makers of Fireproof), four police officers are confident and focused when it comes to facing danger on the job. But leading their families at home in a God-honoring way? That takes courage. Because it is important to take a faithful, fearless stand in so many areas of life, pastor and Courageous executive producer Michael Catt offers Courageous Living as a closer look at biblical themes and characters that inspired the greatly anticipated movie.

The first four years that Brian Jones was a pastor, he had a secret: he didn't believe in hell. Today, he shares his story of discovering that hell exists - and why we're afraid to believe in it. In Hell Is Real (But I Hate to Admit It), Brian suggests that the real reason most of us don't tell our friends about Jesus has nothing to with not knowing how. It's because we don't think we need to. Are you one of the many Christians who doesn't believe in hell or is not convinced your non-Christians friends will end up there? Hell Is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) will change your mindset for good - and inspire you to do something about it.

There's more trouble on the farm, but Duck has nothing to do with it, for once. This time the trouble is a four-ounce puff of fluff who just won't go to sleep, and whose play-with-me peeps are keeping the whole barnyard awake with him. How do you get a baby duck to hit the hay? Poor Farmer Brown will find out - and Duck might just find himself in trouble after all.

The heart of this book is a thoughtful and inspiring look at Wesley's theology of grace and its power to transform. Included are two new chapters. 'Vision and Means' explores Wesley's mission and methods, and 'To Serve the Present Age' considers the impact and relevance of his message today. In addition, an updated reading list facilitates further study, and questions at the end of each chapter stimulate personal reflection and small group discussion.Ideal as a textbook or for personal study and reflection, this book will advance your knowledge and piety as you travel 'the way to heaven.

Is successful leadership measured simply by the outcomes a leader achieves, or is there another - more essential - yardstick for measuring success? In Redefining Leadership, author, pastor, and college president Joe Stowell shows us that the best leaders are driven by Christ-formed character, and that truly successful leadership is not defined by the standards of this world but by the counter-intuitive practices and perspectives of the Kingdom of Christ.

Nearly all churches and ministries consider themselves dedicated to evangelism, and many explicitly include outreach in their mission statements. But few are actually bearing fruit. Kevin Harney diagnoses this problem and offers guidance for multiplying the outreach impact of churches. Organic Outreach for Churches provides direction for local congregations to weave evangelism into the fabric of the church. Commitment to the Great Commission is not simply about sending money and prayers to missions or holding occasional events to reach out (although these things are good).