Showing results by narrator "Michael Beck" in All Categories

Over the past 30 years, John Piper has preached several messages that equip listeners to apply the Bible in their daily lives. Stretching three decades, this book includes three of those sermons that intend to mobilize the church in the fight against sin and the walk of faith. In addition to these sermons, there is a practical appendix of acronyms Pastor John uses in his own life and commends to others.

Based on Matthew 13:44, this little book explains the treasure in the field parable about the Kingdom of Heaven - what it costs and what benefits come through obtaining it.

Why is the message of the cross such an object of offense, stumbling, and foolishness to so many? It is a narrow message that defies human logic in its simplicity. It also reveals that our efforts merit us no place or favor in God’s Kingdom. Yet Bayless Conley shows why the message of the cross is also fundamentally God’s loving open door to mercy, grace, and eternal joy for all who come.

The question - who do you say that he is?" is the most important question you can ask and answer. In this book, John Piper answers some of the most common and important questions about Jesus: who he is, why he came, what he accomplished - and why we should care.

Culture change strategist Jason Richmond and coauthors Jeanne Kerr and Malcolm J. Nicholl reveal how companies whose leaders ignite their culture are able to weather any storm and get ahead of the competition. Based on hands-on experience helping senior corporate executives navigate the turbulence of the 2020-2021 pandemic, the authors distill their findings into five key disciplines.

Gripping and tragic, Dalko is the definitive story of Steve “White Lightning” Dalkowski, baseball’s fastest pitcher ever. Dalko explores one man’s unmatched talent on the mound and the forces that kept ultimate greatness always just beyond his reach. For the first time, Dalko: The Untold Story of Baseball’s Fastest Pitcher unites all of the eyewitness accounts from the coaches, analysts, teammates, and professionals who witnessed the game’s fastest pitcher in action.

Just three days after his high school graduation in 1957, Steve Dalkowski signed into the Baltimore Orioles system. Poised for greatness, he might have risen to be one of the stars in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Instead, he spent his entire career toiling away in the minor leagues. An inspiration for the character Nuke LaLoosh in the classic baseball film Bull Durham, Dalko’s life and story were as fast and wild as the pitches he threw.

Adventure on a Dare is the first in a series of true-life accounts describing Fritz T. Sprandel's journey into himself in which he discovers his capricious nature and raises questions about the nature of faith. During the course of his adventure, Fritz visits a variety of natural wonders, small towns, and fascinating people on a budget of 10 cents and his own amazing resourcefulness.

Did you know? Most scholars say we cannot learn the identity of the Antichrist today. Indeed, they believe that looking for him at the present time is a waste of time. Author Charles K. Bassett takes Scriptures and shows why the conventional wisdom is almost certainly wrong and why it’s not only possible to determine the identity of the Antichrist today, but why God actually wants us to try to determine it!

While most of us have heard about Christians suffering for their faith, we tend to think "persecution" mainly impacts believers in times past or in hostile nations today, far removed from our daily lives. But this eye-opening book describes the various stages of persecution, revealing that persecution is something all followers of the Way can expect to face in this fallen world. Trouble on the Way will not only help listeners recognize persecution in all its forms but enable them to stand firm against it.

Have you ever made a poor choice, or done something you knew was wrong, and now you are suffering the consequences? In Turning Mistakes into Miracles, Bayless Conley shares how God can turn the biggest mistakes of your life into the greatest miracles - no matter how impossible your situation may seem. Regardless of the difficulty of your circumstance, God can redeem even your darkest moments. Don’t let another day go by under the burden of your mistake. Let God turn that mistake into a life-changing miracle today!

God invites you to pursue the abundant life in him every day! And you’ll find out exactly how to do that in Bayless Conley’s Great Pursuits: Chasing What Matters Most in Life. God created you for so much more than you could ever imagine. The life he offers, the promises he’s made, and the purpose you have - are significant. That’s why we should use every moment pursuing God’s best.

From the beginning of life to the end, every human life is precious. In this accessible audiobook, Wayne Grudem demonstrates that because humans were created in God’s image, life should be treasured and preserved at all stages.

As this stranger comes to live and work with the cobbler and his family, he learns the foundations of humanity and love. As a witness to several different encounters with this family, he begins to understand that man’s very existence and continued survival depends on love. Tolstoy brings the beauty of Christ’s wisdom and love to this simple story of generosity and good will. This work inspires true reflection into love’s role in life and even more so into God’s role in the lives of all men.

Master and Man, one of Tolstoy’s greatest short stories, explores the topics of sacrifice, selfish ambition, and human mortality. This novella follows the journey of a merchant named Brekhunov who sets out to purchase a new piece of property, spurred on by a fear that someone else will buy the land before he arrives. Tolstoy masterfully calls attention to the importance of putting others first and focusing on eternity, rather than pursuing temporary and selfish objectives.

Tolstoy’s short stories and novellas are considered to be some of the greatest penned in the 20th century. Many of these stories have strong Christian themes, revealing Tolstoy’s own sincere faith along with important lessons and ideals. These stories often focus on self-sacrifice, the sovereignty of God, and the fulfillment and happiness that comes with living for others.

Leo Tosltoy brings to light the struggle of finding true faith in this short story about a young man who desperately chases worldly accolades and social status before finding contentment in the last place he would have thought to look. After learning of a shame that he receives as catastrophic news, the young protagonist turns to the monastery to prove his moral superiority and his inability to be sullied by the ways of men. While outwardly he appears to be the perfect picture of holy devotion, Father Sergius continues to struggle with his desires and pride.

Leo Tolstoy describes the mental and emotional journey of Ilyich as he is suddenly confronted with his own mortality and must question his entire way of life. Ilych had chosen to ignore his family and the health of his own soul as he attempted to reach new heights in his career and social standing. As his ideas and opinions come under intense scrutiny, he begins to understand the futility and consequences of his way of life. In describing the deconstruction of this worldview, Tosltoy reveals the serious dangers of selfish and short-sighted living.

Every one of us gets anywhere in life due to three things: someone observes us, forms an opinion about us, and decides to give us an opportunity...or not. Likewise, we do the same thing with others. People have played this essential role in our lives, and we play it in the lives of those around us - and no matter how skilled we’ve become, we can play it even better.

First published in 1903, James Allen's As a Man Thinketh has become an inspirational classic. A beautifully thought-provoking work, Allen's contribution to the New Thought Movement continues to encourage each of us to reflect on our thoughts and to work to regain possession of them. Using Proverbs 23:7, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he", as inspiration, Allen describes how man is the creator and shaper of his destiny by the very thoughts which he thinks. "A man is literally what he thinks."