Showing results by narrator "Lance Smith" in All Categories

As strange as it may sound, the most misunderstood, misrepresented, and potentially the most feared person in Christianity may very well be God himself. Even seasoned Christians often view God as frightening, untrustworthy, and distant. But nothing could be further from the truth. Author and filmmaker Darren Wilson takes a funny yet poignant romp through Scripture, revealing a longtime Christian's hang-ups and fears of a God he was supposed to love.

As a young pastor, Matt Chandler knew he needed to learn how to help hurting people. He studied the Scriptures, and he learned from people at the Village Church who remained joyful in their suffering. And then suddenly he was having to live what he'd learned. This is the moving story of Matt's battle with a potentially fatal brain tumor. But it's also the stories of those who taught him, and teach him, how to walk with joy in sorrow.

The Confessions, an autobiography by Saint Augustine of Hippo, has become one of the most important texts in Christian literature. It is also considered to be one of the first Western autobiographies ever written. It continues to influence modern society with its striking honesty and timeless Christian themes of faith, identity, and truth. This perennial classic is a collection of 13 books detailing St. Augustine’s journey to self-knowledge and his life as a follower of Christ.

This Christian classic, originally published in 1678, has become one of the most significant and influential books in the English language. Travel with Christian on the road to the Celestial City as he fights temptation, evil, spiritual terrors, and religious pitfalls, but also encounters such helpful characters as Hopeful, Faithful, and Charity.

In Fit for a Purpose, biochemist Fazale Rana fearlessly pushes the boundaries of the anthropic principle beyond cosmology. In the process, Rana invites the listener to discover the world of chemical and biochemical fine-tuning, as well as to contemplate this question: If the universe is fit for life, and biochemical systems are fit for their role in life, is it possible that everything is “fit for a purpose”?

Do you trust in the promises of God you've read in the Bible? Do you live your life by them? In The Promise Code, join trusted Bible teacher O. S. Hawkins as he dives into 40 of those promises, giving them context and meaning. Find the joy and peace that can only come through an understanding of how you can count on God's promises to be true in your own life.

In Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging Politics, Cho encourages listeners to remember that hope arrived—not in a politician, system, or great nation—but in the person of Jesus Christ.

Whether you are a new Christian, or have been for a while and feel in need of a refresher, or have been around church for years but things have only just clicked into place for you, this inspiring and practical book will give you the essentials - what you really need to know if you're going to follow Jesus. Gary Millar shows listeners how letting the fundamental truths of the gospel take root in our hearts changes everything about the way we see God, ourselves, and the world around us.

This Bible audiobook is easy for kids to understand and brings the story of Jesus to life. Parents, see how easily you can teach your children about the miracle of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection using this tool. Churches, The Action Bible Easter Story is the perfect resource for Sunday school teachers and families. Don't forget the most important gift of all this year. Share the true meaning of Easter with The Action Bible Easter Story.

In the face of betrayal and overwhelming odds, this band of brothers fought with courage, commitment, and enduring faith and came together to disrupt the cash flow and business models of multibillion-dollar corporations, which they affectionately called the “Big Dogs”. Gain an inside perspective on how the medical device industry works and how the Big Dogs would use every weapon in their arsenal to wreak havoc on this fledgling business. Eventually, the reprocessing industry would be codified by the Food and Drug Administration, soundly defeating the Big Dog Kingdom.

Dr. Tiffany Tajiri, a veteran USAF officer and board-certified clinical psychologist, has been in countless sessions with combat veterans and their loved ones and now shares powerful firsthand accounts, lessons, proven exercises, and biblical truth. Whether experiencing combat directly as a veteran or wanting to help bring healing as a family member, pastor, chaplain, or counselor, this book is essential.  

When Nicholas was a young boy, both of his parents died, and he used his inheritance to help others. As a grown man, he became a leader in the church. He was later imprisoned under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who imprisoned church leaders in an effort to stop the spread of the gospel. After Nicholas was released, he faced a new challenge: A wrong teaching had infiltrated the church. Nicholas had to stand for truth, but that, too, came with a price. However, it did not deter him from generously giving to those in need until his death.  

When Patrick was a young boy, pirates invaded his home and made him a slave on the island known today as Ireland. While there, he recalled the Bible stories that his father had told him and dedicated his life to the Lord. Although he later escaped and returned home, he knew the Lord was calling him back to share the gospel with his captors.  

He hunted down the followers of Christ and threw them into prison. However, as he made his way to Damascus to arrest more, Jesus appeared to him in a blinding light. Soon, Saul the persecutor became one of Christ’s boldest apostles, whom we know as Paul. God’s Courageous Apostle highlights some of the dramatic events in the life of the apostle Paul, who founded many of the first "underground" congregations and spent time in prison for his witness. His story will inspire children to share Christ with the lost. 

He defended the faith and became Christianity’s first martyr. Stephen lived a life full of faith, performing miracles, boldly telling others about Jesus and even serving with others to help widows in their time of need. Then, his courageous witness was silenced. However, the gospel could not be stopped, as his martyrdom caused the gospel to be pushed outside the city walls of Jerusalem and into the surrounding region. 

Jesus’ disciple Thomas rightly earned the title "Doubting Thomas" by refusing to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. He told the disciples, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, I will not believe." Soon after, Jesus appeared to Thomas, shattering his unbelief. Thomas became so convinced of the resurrection of Jesus Christ that he took the gospel to India, where he is believed to have died as a martyr at the hands of Hindu priests.  

Buried beneath the sentimental cards and candy hearts lies the story of a man named Valentine who defied an imperial order prohibiting marriage. The emperor, known as Claudius the Cruel, needed all strong young men to enlist in Rome’s military, so he forbade them from getting married. When Valentine was caught marrying couples in secret, he was brought before the emperor. Valentine saw an open door to share the gospel with the emperor. Did the emperor choose to place his trust in Christ?  

The history of the church is filled with stories. Stories of triumph, stories of defeat, stories of joy, and stories of sorrow. In this book, Dr. Stephen J. Nichols provides snapshots of the church through the centuries. You’ll meet fascinating saints, travel to curious places, examine precious artifacts, and watch as surprising turns of events unfold. This lively and informative journey not only captures the richness of Christian history, but also reveals a record of God’s providence and faithfulness to his people. 

If we want to know the truth about God, we need a sound approach to incorporating what the whole Bible teaches. In this concise introduction to systematic theology, theologian Graham A. Cole explores how we move from scripture to doctrine in order to shape what we believe, what we value, and how we live. He shows us the importance of having the right method: rooted in the word of God, consistent with church history, in the context of a broken world, dependent on divine wisdom, and ultimately aiming at pure worship.

A unique middle-grade novel, The Edge of Everywhen tells the story of Piper, a 13-year-old self-proclaimed book nerd whose world has been upended after the death of her mother. She and her autistic little brother (and best friend) Phoenix cling to one another as they are forced to move 1,000 miles away from everything familiar and live with their rich, estranged aunt. Piper reaches to the books on her shelf for comfort, but it is one unique book, Novus Fabula, that offers true guidance as the omniscient narrator in the story.