Showing results by narrator "Ann Richardson" in All Categories

Saints are people too. The word saint conjures up images of superstar Christians revered for their spectacular acts and otherworldly piety. But when we take a closer look at the lives of these spiritual heavyweights, we learn that they also experienced struggle, doubt, and heartache. In fact, we learn that in many ways they're not all that different from you and me. Narrating her own winding pilgrimage through faith, Karen Marsh reveals surprising lessons in everyday spirituality from these "saints" - folks who lived and breathed, and failed and followed God.

Everyone suffers disappointment, rejection, injustices, and losses, perhaps even traumatic ones. The spiritual pain born of such suffering can paralyze us, leaving us broken inside and barely getting by with the motions of life. Whether we remain stuck or move forward is determined in large part by our resilience.

Even if others abandon you, you must never abandon yourself. This simple truth became Terry Helwig’s lifeline as she was forced to grow up too soon. Terry grew up the oldest of six girls in the big-sky country of the American Southwest, where she attended 12 schools in 11 years. Helwig’s stepfather, Davy, a good-hearted and loving man, proudly purchased a mobile home to enable his family to move more easily from one oil town to another, where Davy eked out a living in the oil fields.

Joal Derse Dauer was donating blankets at a local no-kill shelter when an injured and despondent dog caught her eye. With three "fur babies" already at home, Joal wasn't looking to adopt another dog. But there was something special about Sadie. With patience, hope, and plenty of love, Joal saw her canine companion grow in strength and joy. And before long, she discovered that sweet Sadie had transformed her life in ways she never could have imagined.

When materials engineer Zoey Butler lands her dream job at Future State Energy, she believes her research in renewable energy will make headlines. Unfortunately for her, she’s right. Zoey is working on her latest experiment when FBI Special Agent Alexis Thompson and her K-9 partner, Waffle, raid Future State and arrest the head of the development for fraud. Zoey helps the FBI find answers in the aftermath, but she soon finds herself jobless and unemployable. Desperate and out of options, she reaches out to Alexis, the one person who knows Zoey was duped like everyone else.

Is this nosy trash panda a sleuth or a suspect? Lately my life has seemed pretty perfect-great house, great gig as my own boss, great new boyfriend, and the world's most awesome talking cat. Turns out I shouldn't have let my guard down. Even though my private investigation firm is brand new, I've already got some not-so-friendly competition, and it's coming from the sticky-fingered raccoon who lives under my front porch. I have no doubt he's robbing his clients since he's stealing from mine, too.

Nan and I discover that someone has been embezzling funds from the local animal shelter. If we can't find the culprit soon, the shelter may not be able to keep its lights on and those poor homeless pets won't have anywhere to go.

The apostle Peter wrote two letters to encourage Christians to persevere in their faith during a time of intensifying persecution. This 10-week study explores the theme of suffering in Peter's letters, displaying how God uses hope, humility, and holiness to prepare believers for their final home in heaven.

When it comes to happiness rankings, Finland always scores near the top. Many Finnish phenomena set the bar high: the best education system, gender equality, a flourishing welfare state, sisu or bull-headed pluck. Behind all of these accomplishments lies a Finnish ability to stay calm, healthy and content in a riptide of endless tasks and temptations. The ability comes from the practice of "kalsarikanni" translated as pantsdrunk. Peel off your clothes down to your underwear. Place savory or sweet snacks within reach alongside your bed or sofa.

Katherine Mansfield accomplishes an incredible drama with detailed characterization in "Miss Brill", a story only four pages long, written in the early 1920's. The main character is a lonely spinster, probably an elderly Englishwoman, living in a resort area of France near the seashore, earning enough to support herself by tutoring English children and reading the newspapers to an old invalid whose ability to hear and comprehend are questionable. She sits on a bench at the park and creates fantasy scenarios involving the people around her, enhanced by her eavesdropping skills.

What if you could have been a witness to the events of the last days of Jesus' life - walking with him as he entered Jerusalem, observing his crucifixion, and embracing him on Easter? Walk in Her Sandals, edited by popular Catholic author and speaker Kelly M. Wahlquist, takes you deeper into your relationship with Jesus by helping you relate to him in a profoundly intimate way. Looking at six universal gifts of women through the eyes of women in the gospels, the book guides you on a prayerful and creative journey through the days of Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost.

Endometriosis is a physically and mentally debilitating disease that has tortured women for centuries. Symptoms of heavy periods and excruciating pain most often begin in middle school or high school, yet doctors take an average of 12 years to diagnose it in a patient. As a result, these undiagnosed and misdiagnosed women suffer into at least their mid-20s or early 30s, repeatedly told that the pain is in their minds, that it’s simply part of becoming a woman, or that it’s caused by some other disease or condition. That nonsense must stop, and it must stop now!

Faith Newberry is settling in nicely at her job as librarian at the upscale and pet-friendly Castleton Manor literary retreat. Even her cat, Watson, has taken to his new life in Lighthouse Bay on Cape Cod. With a cozy cottage on the grounds of the Massachusetts estate in which to live, and surrounded by books by day and friends by night, Faith thinks life couldn't get much sweeter.

Still I Rise takes its title from a work by Maya Angelou, and it resonates with the same spirit of an unconquerable soul, a woman who is captain of her fate. This book embodies the strength of character of the inspiring women profiled within. Each chapter outlines the fall and rise of great women heroes who smashed all obstacles rather than let all obstacles smash them. Still I Rise offers hope to those undergoing their own Sisyphean struggles. Intrepid women heroes are the antithesis of the traditional damsels in distress; rather than waiting for the prince, they took salvation into their own hands.

Small changes can deliver big new product results. Are new products taking too long to develop and failing to deliver the bottom-line impact you need? Now you can accelerate your growth by identifying your innovation bottleneck - just one of the powerful new product development strategies revealed in Simplifying Innovation. As the story in this provocative business audiobook unfolds, you'll discover the first-ever approach to new product growth based on the Theory of Constraints.

Do you desire to hear the voice of the One, in a real way? If so, this special book was written for you. This book will help you release fears and blocks to connecting with the Divine and show you how to have a close relationship with the most Beloved Presence in the Universe, your Eternal Companion, God.

Welcome to Charleston, South Carolina, where the local pastor saved a very special litter of Chihuahuas and put them to work as a tiny therapy dogs. Each puppy helps to create a miracle in the lives of the women who foster them, bringing healing, redemption, and of course, love.

Abigail Sutton's husband didn't survive the war, leaving her pregnant, alone, and questioning God's plan. To pick up the pieces of her broken life, she must now return to her childhood home in Charleston in this tender and unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Melissa Storm. When a rare snowstorm blankets the city on Christmas eve, a Chihuahua takes shelter in the church's nativity display to give birth to her litter. Abigail's father, the pastor of the local church, rescues the shivering pups and entrusts them to his daughters care.

Charlie Rockwell is all about living in the moment. Commitments aren't in her playbook. At least not until she falls hard... for a soulful-eyed rescue dog she spots on TV. Adopting him is a no-brainer. But handling his doggy quirks? Well, that's a different story. Will Porter is nursing a badly bruised heart. Who needs people when dogs are so much better? Especially his ever-faithful golden retriever. When Charlie and Will literally crash into each other at the local dog park, sparks fly, tails wag, and suddenly, everything they thought they knew about relationships gets tossed up in the air.

Riley McKinley adores Christmas. But this year, instead of decking the halls, she's chasing a career-defining deal away from home. Sebastian Rockwell, on the other hand, is a total grinch, who'd rather be out playing in the snow than taking part in a frenzy of festivities. When a devastating avalanche traps them together, it will have them questioning the meaning of the holidays. Could an unexpected romance redefine the spirit of the season for them both?