Showing results by narrator "Mark Smeby" in All Categories

Ministry is hard. Much like marriage, it's full of unanticipated challenges, requires a great deal of selflessness, and often comes with little reward. Marriage and ministry together? It's a unique calling, yet couples who enter into it seldom receive adequate preparation, training, or even warning! Geoff and Sherry Surratt have been at both marriage and ministry together for over 30 years and have seen the highs, the lows, and everything in between - they've managed to figure out a way to make it all work together.

If following Jesus involves a life of sacrifice and suffering, is it wrong for a Christian to seek purpose and joy in this world? Many Christians sense tension between their desires to enjoy life in this world--the beauty of God’s creation, the rich love of deep relationships with others--and the reality that this world is fallen and broken, in need of redemption. How can we embrace and thrive in the tension between enjoying creation and promoting redemption?

A leading young theologian and public intellectual shows how the life and legacy of Chuck Colson can equip Christians to live a bold and loving faith in the public square. During his life, Chuck Colson was the preeminent evangelical in American public life. He dedicated himself to public witness in the mold of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and William Wilberforce, creating and leading efforts such as Prison Fellowship, Angel Tree, Breakpoint, and the Centurions program.

Frustrated and disillusioned with his life as a Christian motivational speaker, Michael Yankoski was determined to stop merely talking about living a life of faith and start experiencing it. The result was a year of focused engagement with spiritual practices - both ancient and modern - that fundamentally reshaped and revived his life. By contemplating apples for an hour before tasting them (attentiveness), eating on just $2.00 a day (simplicity), or writing letters of thanks (gratitude), Michael discovered a whole new vitality and depth through the intentional life.

Presented by best-selling author and pastor Randy Frazee, the Believe Storybook shows children how they can think, act, and be more like Jesus. With 60 Old and New Testament stories from the Bible that showcase the themes, children and adults alike will be inspired to become more like their savior and the people they were meant to be.

It's hard to believe sometimes, but the God who created the universe and everything in it desires a relationship with each of us. God knew you before you were born. He hears your prayers, wants to come near to you, and plans for you to have abundant life. In Draw Near to God, you'll find Scripture and reflections that will guide, support, and assure you that your heavenly father loves you and longs to spend time with you. You'll encounter His grace and mercy as you study and learn more about His tender care.

How to Be Present in an Absent World is a guide for cultivating a self-awareness that empowers you to take ownership of your life in every area of influence. It provides a biblical way to handle the daily pressures of life without denying, escaping, or outrunning the present, past, or future. Montgomery and his coauthors, Webb and Silva, equip you with the kind of self-understanding that allows you to overcome obstacles - whether in your church, in your job, or in your family - that were previously discouraging and seemingly insurmountable.

The evangelical church is hemorrhaging. Over 40 million Americans have dechurched in the last 25 years alone, and multiple generations have been raised to believe the most spiritual thing they can do is follow God by following their heart—right out of the church. Yet, this shift is happening right as society is hitting record levels of loneliness, stress, and anxiety. In The Reason for Church, pastor Brad Edwards connects the dots of our current church crisis and provides compelling reasons to come back.

Joshua Ben-Yosef attracts a huge following. He was born in Nazareth to parents named Mary and Joseph and speaks more than a dozen languages—fluently and without accent. His words ripple with wisdom and authority. And the crowds that follow him are enthralled as he heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, casts out demons, and even raises the dead. Is Dr. Merton, the well-known leader and author of end-times books, correct about the return of Christ?

Dr. Jonathan Weber, Harvard professor and biblical scholar, is looking forward to his sabbatical year on an archaeological dig in Israel. But a spectacular find that seems to be an archaeologist’s dream-come-true becomes a nightmare that many fear will be the death rattle of Christianity. Carefully researched and compellingly written, A Skeleton in God’s Closet explores the tension between faith and doubt when science and religion collide. In the end, it’s a thought-provoking thriller, driven by one man’s determination to find the truth—no matter the cost.

In Beautiful, Disappointing, Hopeful, Drew Hyun shows us why our avoiding loss is not the biblical pathway to experiencing beauty. He encourages us to engage with three simple practices—gratitude, grieving, and grace—that can build lasting spiritual resilience as we learn to grow through our loss and disappointment.

InThe Jesus of Suburbia, Mike Erre reveals that we've created a Jesus in our own image. In a fresh, startling manner, Erre helps us understand that the real Jesus is calling us to live, act, and think in ways that overturn the status quo.

When Jessica Joy Rees is diagnosed with two inoperable brain tumors at age 11, she focuses on bringing hope, joy, and love to other children fighting cancer through her Never Ever Give Up message and fun-filled JoyJars—64oz plastic jars filled with toys and love delivered throughout the world.

What we think and believe determines who we are. If that’s so, then why are we so insecure, defensive, lonely, empty, fearful, depressed, self-absorbed, dysfunctional, angry and confused? We are a mess. But that’s not what God has in mind for us. In fact, the Master has hope, strength, beauty, joy, love, creativity, freedom, power, peace, patience, goodness, laughter, organization, effectiveness and purpose for us. So, what went wrong?

Renowned spoken word artist David Bowden tackles one of the most difficult questions of all---Where is God when we can’t find him?---and reveals what God’s absence and his presence tell us about God’s glory and his grace.

Let’s face it: we are afraid. Our world is riddled with fear-inducing headlines, financial meltdowns, family crises, and phobias of every stripe. No wonder the New York Times now reports one in ten Americans is now taking antidepressant or anxiety medication. So how do we cope or even succeed in a world spinning out of control? As someone who has battled panic attacks and anxiety most of his life, Lance Hahn can relate. In How to Live in Fear, Lance tackles the pervasive problem of fear and panic head-on by inviting listeners into his world.

Seeking to bring clarity and simplicity to the study of God’s Word, Guthrie has written a concise, easy-to-digest collection of wisdom anchored by one verse for each book, from Genesis to Revelation—a verse that summarizes or lays the foundation for that book, placing it in context with the rest of the Scriptures.

If you're seeking simplicity in a complicated world, Mark DeMoss' insights will illuminate your path to a wiser and more deliberate way of living. Exploring the notions of integrity, humility, and self-restraint, DeMoss demonstrates what is possible when we value listening and thinking over talking and doing.