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Most Christians agree that Christmas is all about Jesus, yet most of us spend little time preparing our hearts to celebrate Him. Why is this? Partly because we don’t know how. In Unwrapping the Names of Jesus, Asheritah Ciuciu leads readers through the four weeks of Advent (Hope, Preparation, Joy, and Love). Each week: Begins with an interactive family devotional that equips readers to celebrate Advent together  Offers five daily reflections that focus on that week's name of Jesus Includes suggestions for fun-filled family activities or service projects  This devotional can be used by readers in their own personal worship times or as a tool to engage in family worship during the busy holiday season. Either way, participants will gain a greater sense of awe and wonder at who Jesus is. By focusing on the person and character of Jesus throughout the Advent season, readers will prepare their hearts so that when they admire the live nativity, sit in the candlelight service, or wake up on Christian morning, they can join the faithful who sing from the bottom of their hearts, "O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!" Asheritah is an author and speaker, wife and mama, and  founder of One Thing Alone Ministries—an online ministry that helps overwhelmed women find joy in Jesus. Visit her website at https://asheritah.com

We know about the Bible. We may know some Bible stories, or maybe we've even read large portions for ourselves. But what it's really all about? How do all the different pieces fit together? Without a sense of the big story the Bible is telling, we'll miss out on the good news God has for us. In The 30-Minute Bible, experienced Bible teachers Craig Bartholomew and Paige Vanosky present the story of Scripture in thirty short readings, each designed to take about half an hour. Each includes a passage from the Bible and a short chapter explaining how the passage fits into the Bible's wider narrative. Written in straightforward and clear language, the readings are accompanied by Brother Martin Erspamer's lovely illustrations. Discover the timeless story of the Bible—in thirty minutes a day for thirty days. If you think the Bible is overwhelming. Almost anyone who has tried to read the Bible from the beginning will agree that it can be overwhelming. From the very first pages a myriad of questions arise, and though the most determined readers continue on, it is likely they soon become frustrated and return the book to the shelf. If you have questions. Many readers wonder why the Bible has remained a valuable book to so many over thousands of years. Others wonder how familiar Bible stories fit together. Still others want to know the truth about God and Jesus, or about their purpose in life. Can an easily accessible source be found? The 30-Minute Bible may be for you. Experienced Bible teachers Craig Bartholomew and Paige Vanosky open readers up to the story found within the Bible, providing just enough understanding that even the most novice readers can make sense of it. By reading this summary of the Bible on your own, or together with friends, the answers to your many questions will begin to emerge. These questions are big - about the Bible, God, Jesus and life, and so are the answers. They cannot be completely answered overnight. But this book is a wonderful way to begin your journey into discovering answers and to becoming familiar with the Bible, enabling you to read enjoy reading the Bible on your own. Just what is found in the Bible? Many know the Bible as literature, as a place to discover rules for living, or as a place to learn about God and his word to us. It is also known as the story of Jesus, how he lived his life and the impact he made on those around him. There are many ways to describe the Bible and its meaning to those who treasure it. All of these and many more are true. One of the most unknown, surprising ways to describe the Bible is as a story of our world - from creation to to the end of the world as we know it. Along the way the story follows one branch of a family tree leading from Adam and Eve to Jesus, almost all written by or about the main characters in the story. But what makes this story particularly fascinating is that although it was written by over 40 authors over a period of about 1400 years, there are remarkably consistent themes throughout. You will discover this and so much more in reading The 30-Minute Bible. When you finish this book, you will likely understand why the Bible is often called “the greatest story ever told”! Paige P. Vanosky is a small group leader and community volunteer. The 30-Minute Bible grew out of her own teaching ministry. She lives in Rancho Santa Fe, California.Craig G. Bartholomew is director of the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge, UK. He has written and edited numerous books, including Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition, Introducing Biblical Hermeneutics, Beyond the Modern Age (with Bob Goudzwaard), The Drama of Scripture (with Michael Goheen), The Doctrine of Creation (with Bruce Ashford), and a commentary on Ecclesiastes.

Learn Voice Acting with the Get Clever About Voice Acting & Announcing Series Learn about becoming a working voice-over actor and announcer with the Get Clever About Voice Acting & Announcing e-book series. This modern day voice over bible, written by voice actress Lili Wexu, is broken down into a three e-books about Voice Acting & Announcing and is a must have for new voice actors and announcers who want a sustainable career in today’s VO market. Whether you’re seeking to make a transition to a career in voice acting or announcing because it’s the logical next step in your career, or because you want to feel stimulated by a new career, these Get Clever About Learn Voice Acting & Announcing guides are meant to empower you in the next phase of your journey. Learn voice acting on three levels: Pt.1 follows the path of the voice over artist: acting training, what is expected of voice artists on the job, everything you need to know about getting hired as a voice talent, the voice acting budget, and the important decisions you may need to make. After reading this Get Clever About e-book, you’ll know the exact steps you need to take to get started on your new path. This is all about creating competitive voice-over performances. Pt. 2 follows the path of the voice over technician: recording and editing voice overs, the truth about recording and editing equipment (and voice over industry standards), the intricacies of working with sound, building a voice over studio, editing and file delivery standards, audio file formats and specifications. Record & edit voice overs from home confidently. Deliver excellent audio to clients and agents. Pt. 3 follows the path of the voice over entrepreneur: recording workflow, best voice over business practices, processes, policies, setting rates for non-union actors, and marketing.After reading this e-book you’ll understand the steps you need to take to get your voice out there. This is all about making money with your voice talent. Learn voice acting & announcing the smart way with Get Clever About and Lili Wexu. “Girl Power”. “Inspiration embodied”. “Cinematic”. Welcome to Lili’s world. Her deep, textured, cinematic voice has the grit, and gravitas to inspire, and the perfect balance of warmth and empathy to reassure. She’s got the torque and authority you need for your manifesto and the conversational, friendly, down-to-earth vibes for your commercial “spokesperson” spots. Best of all, she doesn’t sound like anyone, and no one sounds like her. As a skilled actress, Lili approaches scripts with a unique, distinctive flair, and infuses them with intent and conviction. The end goal is always the same: to make the words sound genuine, natural and authentic, and to captivate your target audience.  Lili primarily records commercials and manifestos, but no matter the message or the medium, her conversational and unpolished style make her a slam dunk for brands who aspire to stay current and engaging. Lili is also a voice over Ninja! She has a black belt in two languages: she speaks North American English and French Canadianflawlessly, without an accent. She is absolutely and perfectly bilingual.  Her proficiency in languages makes her a master at handling scientific, medical and technical scripts and can infuse even the most complex script with flow, emotion, gravitas, and good vibes. If you’ve got something important, personal, and maybe even complicated to say, she’s your girl.  As a film & TV actress, Lili’s career is multi-faceted. She’s appeared in Grey’s Anatomy and in Alien vs Predator. She’s also been a voice over actor in the Assassin’s Creed video game franchise. Most notably, she was the female announcer at the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic games. These days, she primarily records television commercials, and manifestos. Watch her recording voice overs on YouTube. Visit Lili's website www.liliwexuvoiceovers.com

Joni Eareckson Tada Offers 25 Hymns for Worship for Difficult Times As an author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities, Joni Eareckson Tada has inspired people around the world with her story of faith in the midst of suffering. In this beautiful collection of hymns and devotions she acts as a “song leader,” guiding readers through their own painful seasons with heartfelt praises to God. Songs of Suffering includes 25 hymns with accompanying devotions and photography designed to spark hope in hardship. Opening with a special message from hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty, this book is a source of comfort for anyone who needs biblical encouragement, prompting readers to seek refuge in the Lord and rejoice in his goodness. A Beautifully Designed Book from Joni Eareckson Tada: Includes 25 hymns with sheet music, devotionals, and photography  An Uplifting Call to Worship: Emphasizes the Bible’s command to sing and leads readers in hope-filled praise  Comfort for the Hurting: Makes a thoughtful gift for friends or family dealing with pain, illness, or loss Opens with a Message from Keith and Kristyn Getty: Read their reflections on worship and Joni Eareckson Tada’s inspiring ministry Joni Eareckson Tada is CEO of Joni and Friends, a global ministry that serves the practical and spiritual needs of people with disabilities. She is also an artist and the author of numerous bestselling books, including Joni; A Place of Healing; and When God Weeps. Joni and her husband, Ken, reside in Calabasas, California. You can visit Joni's website at www.joniandfriends.org

In order to understand, appreciate, and faithfully preach the word of God, pastors must discern the literary nature of the Bible. Instead of just acknowledging the various genres of Scripture, pastors and teachers should allow these genres to influence how the text is approached and communicated. In The Beauty and Power of Biblical Exposition, they will learn how to both read and preach the Bible as a literary anthology.  To accomplish this, Douglas Sean O’Donnell and Leland Ryken teach pastors how to faithfully preach while keeping the original authors’ intentions in mind, helping them grow in their craft and love for God’s word. They explain how to read 6 genres―including narratives, parables, epistles, poetry, proverbs, and visionary writings―for the purpose of captivating congregations with the richness of Scripture.Written for Pastors: Especially young pastors or those just out of seminary Practical: Contains guides, tables, and examples to help develop sermonsHeartfelt: Written with the desire for pastors to learn and grow as communicators Douglas Sean O'Donnell (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is the senior vice president of Bible editorial at Crossway. He is the author and editor of over a dozen books, including The Beginning and End of Wisdom; The Pastor's Book; The Song of Solomon and Matthew in the Preaching the Word commentary series; and Psalms in the Knowing the Bible series. He also contributed the Song of Solomon and Job to the ESV Expository Commentary.

While preparing the way for the Lord, John the Baptist declares, "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." Many have failed to do this, in part, because repentance has become diluted. Rather than truly turning away from sin--back to God--we often equate repentance with a mere oral confession. This domesticated, unbiblical understanding of repentance bears no fruit and lacks the power to transform broken people, relationships, systems, and structures. Our lack of repentance conforms us to the patterns of this world, keeping us content amid sinful inequities, complicit with systemic injustice, and apathetic in oppressive context. Privilege is largely a social consequence of our unwillingness to reckon with and turn from sin. Scripture repeatedly affirms that privilege is real and declares that, rather than exploiting it for selfish gain or feeling immobilized by it, Christians have an opportunity to steward privilege and a responsibility to leverage it to further the kingdom and sacrificially love our neighbors. In Subversive Witness, read how Dominique DuBois Gilliard... x highlights biblical examples of privileged people who understood this kingdom call x casts a new vision for faithful participation in the inbreaking kingdom as co-laborers with Christ x leads the church to grapple with privilege, indifference, and systemic sin in new ways x uses Scripture to elucidate how privilege emerges from sin, is sustained by our hardened hearts, and keeps us complicit with oppression x demonstrates that Christians can wield privilege as an instrument to pursue justice and further the Kingdom x details Scripture's subversive call to leverage, and at times forsake, privilege to sacrificially love our neighbors, enact systemic change, and advance the kingdom of God Dominique DuBois Gilliard is the Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice (LMDJ) initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). He is the author of Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores, which won the 2018 Book of the Year Award for InterVarsity Press. Gilliard also serves on the board of directors for the Christian Community Development Association and Evangelicals for Justice. In 2015, he was selected as one of the ECC’s “40 Under 40” leaders to watch, and the Huffington Post named him one of the “Black Christian Leaders Changing the World.” An ordained minister, Gilliard has served in pastoral ministry in Atlanta, Chicago, and Oakland. He was executive pastor of New Hope Covenant Church in Oakland, California and also served in Oakland as the associate pastor of Convergence Covenant Church. He was also a campus minister at North Park University and the racial righteousness director for ECC’s ministry initiatives in the Pacific Southwest Conference. Gilliard earned a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from Georgia State University and a master’s degree in history from East Tennessee State University, with an emphasis on race, gender, and class in the United States. He also earned an MDiv from North Park Seminary, where he served as an adjunct professor teaching Christian ethics, theology, and reconciliation.

Shadoe Stevens started off in radio at 11-years-old in his hometown of Jamestown, North Dakota. Urban Legend has it that LIFE Magazine picked up the story that he was on the air as "The World's Youngest Disc Jockey." He graduated from high school, then for three years majored in Art at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, before switching to Drama and Journalism at the University of Arizona for another two years, all the while working full time in radio to help put himself through school. It was then that he was given the chance to move to Boston to become a DJ at WRKO. On his way to Boston, his name was changed to Shadoe in a phone call from Alamogordo, New Mexico. In one year, his huge number one success at WRKO in Boston led him to Los Angeles. With his resonant voice and command on the airwaves, Stevens became one of the City's most popular radio personalities. He then began his first major television career move as the sidekick/announcer for "The Steve Allen Show." Back in radio a short time later, he would become a legendary Program Director, creating and launching "World Famous KROQ-FM. Leaving radio after creating three number one L.A. stations - KRLA, KROQ-FM, and KMET-FM - Shadoe went into advertising. He created the Branding, Advertising and Marketing campaign for a West Coast home electronics company called The Federated Group. The campaign increased sales 500%. In four years, the Federated Group grew from 14 local stores to 78 superstores in 5 states. It was one of the most successful regional advertising campaigns in U.S. history and the first regional ad campaign ever to have received a 2-page spread in Time Magazine. His Awards in advertising include Clio Awards and the Big Apple Award. In radio, he received the Billboard Magazine Personality of the Year Award. Shadoe's more than 1,100 different television commercials for Federated led first to a 3-picture deal with Dino DeLaurentis Entertainment and the cult movie "TRAXX," to the number one TV series "Hollywood Squares," then to the Fred Silverman produced one hour CBS series "Max Monroe: Loose Cannon," followed by the hit CBS sitcom "Dave's World." Along the way, Shadoe replaced Casey Kasem as the host of "American Top 40." This became the biggest radio show in the world with one billion listeners a week in 110 countries. During this time, Shadoe was a guest star on more than a dozen television series including "Beverly Hills 90210," "Baywatch," "The Larry Sanders Show," "Caroline in the City," "Clueless," "Fast Track," and "Burke's Law." In motion pictures, Shadoe played the title role in "Traxx," Fred in "Mr. Saturday Night," Maxwell in "Bucket of Blood," and Djony Dakota in "Shadoevision" for HBO. Shadoe was the Founder, Chairman, and President of RhythmRadio - "The Sound of the World in a Good Mood," that was the first world-wide music network and delivered programming on the radio in 30 countries and programming on the Internet delivered in 7 languages. Shadoe created "Cabo Wabo Radio" for rock star Sammy Hagar, designing an "all up-all the time" rock music format with studios in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Bel Air, California. It became the number one Alternative Music format online in the world. Shadoe then created "Mental Radio," - mentalradio.net - a talk/entertainment radio show described as "Coast to Coast" as if done by Monty Python." It's a show about the extraordinary and those who laugh in the face of fear. Visit www.mentalradio.net. Shadoe was the voice of "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" from 2005 to 2015, and has continued to be the voice of countless commercials and television shows including The Grammys, The Emmys, and Comic Relief. Shadoe has been "enthusiastically married" since 1986 to his third wife, Beverly. His daughter, Amber Stevens, is a successful actress, having starred in the ABC Family series "Greek" for four years, and the movie "22 Jump Street" in 2014.

A Christian Answer to the Identity Angst of Our Culture. In the 21st-century West, identity is everything. Never has it been more important, culturally speaking, to know who you are and be true to yourself. Expressive individualism—the belief that looking inward is the way to find yourself—has become the primary approach to identity formation, and questioning anyone’s “self-made self” is often considered a threat or attack. Prompted by his own crisis of identity, Brian Rosner argues that personal identity is formed not only by looking inward, but also by looking around to your relationships, backward and forward to your life stories, and upward to God. In How to Find Yourself, Rosner equips readers to engage sympathetically with some of the most pressing questions of our day. Challenging the status quo, he offers an approach to identity formation that leads to more secure and joyful self-knowledge: being known intimately and personally by God and following the script of Jesus life story. Challenges the Status Quo: Examines and critiques expressive individualism—the leading strategy for identity formationGospel-Centered: Identifies an approach to identity formation in Jesus’s life story and God’s personal knowledge of his childrenAccessible: Helpful for a wide audience of laypeople, students, and church leadersForeword by Carl R. Trueman: Opens with a message from the author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self Brian Rosner (PhD, Cambridge) is principal of Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia. He previously taught at the University of Aberdeen and Moore Theological College. Rosner is the author or editor of over a dozen books, including Known by God: A Biblical Theology of Personal Identity. He is married to Natalie and has four children.

The market is flooded with books, conferences, and workshops on how to be a better leader. In most companies, leaders are noticed and applauded while followers are often viewed as weak and passive. However, Scripture tells us a different story; although leadership is valued and respected, being obedient followers of Christ is at the very heart of faith.   In The Call to Follow, Richard Langer and Joanne J. Jung teach readers that “followership” is essential to both organizational and spiritual flourishing. They argue that followership requires the development of specific skills and virtues modeled and extolled throughout Scripture. They point to examples of people from the Bible and church history who focused on following in the footsteps of their Savior rather than positions of leadership among others. This helpful book seeks to dismantle the idol of leadership that’s so prevalent in our culture and points us instead to the biblical concept of followership.  Biblically Centered: Contains examples of “followership” from Scripture and church history Mission Oriented: Explains how being a follower of Jesus Christ is a missional callingCommunity Focused: Written to encourage Christ followers, in both leadership and followership positionsRichard Langer (PhD, University of California, Riverside) is a professor of biblical and theological studies and director of the Office for the Integration of Faith and Learning at Biola University. He is an ordained minister with over twenty years of pastoral experience and a coauthor of Winsome Persuasion and Winsome Conviction. He and his wife, Shari, are members at Fullerton Free Church in Fullerton, California.Joanne J. Jung (PhD, Fuller Seminary) is a professor of biblical and theological studies and the associate dean of online education and faculty development at the Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. She is the author of Knowing Grace; Character Formation in Online Education; and The Lost Discipline of Conversation. She and her husband, Norman, attend Harvest Community Church in Irvine, California.

Practical Insight into Finding a Healthy Church. Looking for a new church can feel overwhelming, and it’s often difficult to know what aspects to prioritize. In this addition to the Church Questions series, Alex Duke provides criteria on what to look for in a healthy local church.  Using personal experiences and biblical principles, Duke identifies important elements within the church―the gospel, the Bible, and the community―as well as specific questions to ask. He also reminds believers that they should not be looking for a perfect church, but a biblical and faithful one. This booklet is perfect for those who are looking for a new church and unsure where to begin.  Short, Accessible Format: Concise, biblical advice on searching for a churchPart of the Church Questions Series: Helping Christians understand the centrality of the local church in Christian discipleshipPractical: Provides specific questions to ask about the church’s treatment of the Bible, the gospel, and meaningful relationships  Alex Duke (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the editorial manager for 9Marks and the director of youth ministry and ecclesiological training at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. At 9Marks, we help pastors, future pastors, and church members see what a biblical church looks like, and to take practical steps for becoming one. Our goal is to see churches characterized by nine biblical marks of a healthy church. Why these nine? Because sadly, they’re too often assumed or ignored in evangelical churches. In order to inform and influence churches, 9Marks creates a wide variety of practical resources. This includes books, articles, podcasts, book reviews, and a quarterly Journal. We also host regular events around the world—almost all of them geared toward equipping and encouraging pastors. 9Marks supports the global church by partnering with international churches and pastors in translating our resources into dozens of languages. We have a growing number of language-specific websites where we post articles, books, and other translated material in partnership with local ministries for worldwide access. Visit https://www.9marks.org/

Gain a deep understanding of audio practice and theory with this easy-to-read book, illustrated with more than 400 figures and photographs. Using common sense, plain-English explanations and minimal math, author Ethan Winer helps you understand audio at the deepest, most technical level-no engineering degree necessary. If you're an intermediate to advanced recording engineer or audiophile, you already know the basic mechanics of how audio "works." This book will take you beyond that, weaving together audio concepts, theories of aural perception and acoustics, musical instrument physics, and basic electronics and demonstrating their relationships to one another. Rather than merely showing you how to use audio devices like equalizers and compressors, Winer explains how they work internally and how they are spec'd and tested. With The Audio Expert, you get: * Videos and audio examples on the companion website (www.TheAudioExpertBook.com) that help you understand complex topics, such as vibration and resonance * Platform agnostic explanations, applying to Windows and Mac operating systems, and to most software and hardware * Practical tips, tricks, advice, and lots of myth-busting Bonus chapters are currently available on FocalPress.com. http://www.focalpress.com/books/audio/the_audio_expert.aspx?terms=Audio+Expert * Explains clearly the innermost details of audio hardware and software * Contains numerous practical tips, tricks, advice, and lots of myth-busting * Provides videos and audio examples on the companion website for comprehensive understanding. This book goes beyond merely explaining how audio works. It brings together the concepts of audio, aural perception, musical instrument physics, acoustics, and basic electronics, showing how they're intimately related. It also describes in great detail many related practices and techniques used by recording and mixing engineers, including video production and computers. This book is meant for intermediate to advanced recording engineers and audiophiles who want to become experts. It's definitely not a "Dummies" type book for beginners, though there's plenty for beginners too. One unique feature is explaining how audio devices such as equalizers, compressors, and A/D converters work internally, and how they're spec'd and tested, rather than merely describing how to use them. This book is also unique because it includes much original research, such as methods to test the audibility of distortion and other artifacts using your own listening system, while explaining why many common home-made tests are not valid. It also addresses the perennial "measuring versus listening" and "subjectivist versus objectivist" debates head on, and resolves them using science, logic, and hard proof. There's plenty of myth-busting and consumerism too. Indeed, truly understanding how audio gear works leads to smarter buying. So while I won't tell readers what brand power amplifier to buy, I explain in great detail what defines a good amplifier, so people can choose a first-rate model wisely without over-paying. Most explanations throughout the book are platform-agnostic, applying equally to Windows and Mac computers, and to most software and hardware. Many audio and video examples are included to better present complex topics such as vibration and resonance. Other videos demonstrate editing techniques and audio processing, plus several video interviews with skilled musicians demonstrating their instruments and playing techniques. In the piano video, a professional piano technician disassembles a $100,000 Steinway grand to show how it works! Of course, there's also a comprehensive Acoustics section, bringing together much of my writings from past years into one coherent reference, along with a wealth of new information. There's literally nothing else like this book. Visit Ethan's website at https://ethanwiner.com/book.htm

Our special guest is Rose Jones, Marketing and Sales Director for Pickleball from Babolat. Get ready to learn how the game is played and why it's become one of the fastest growing sports in the world! Created in 1875 in Lyon, France, Babolat is the oldest international brand specialized in racquet sports. With almost 150 years of experience and play observation, on the courtside and alongside players, Babolat has built up expertise that enables it to adapt what it does best to its entire product line. Always with the same goal in mind: offering Tennis, Badminton and Padel fans equipment that combines both enjoyment and performance, and allows them to feel all of the game’s energy. From your first time playing pickleball to collecting gold medals at pickleball tournaments, Babolat has a pickleball paddle for your game. Babolat pickleball paddles are designed to help you have fun, play your best, and enjoy pickleball. Find the right pickleball paddle with the latest pickleball paddles from Babolat. Browse Babolat pickleball paddles for men, women, juniors, and kids and check out the most popular Babolat pickleball paddles. babolat MNSTR pickleball paddles are loaded with technology and features power, control, and spin that your game will love. Babolat RBEL pickleball paddles are precise and explosive. Babolat RNGD pickleball paddles have a softer face for accuracy and feel. Babolat XPLR pickleball paddles are the perfect entry into performance pickleball paddles.

How is it that a first-generation Jewish messianic movement undertook a mission to the pagan world and rapidly achieved a momentum that would have a lasting impact on world history? In this monumental two-volume study, Eckhard Schnabel provides a unified and detailed picture of the rise and growth of early Christian mission. He begins with a search for a missionary impulse in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism and then weighs the evidence for a mission of Jesus to Gentiles. But the center of focus is the apostolic missionary activity as it is related in Acts, Paul's letters, and the rest of the New Testament. This study seeks to describe all the evidence relevant to the missionary strategy and expansion of the early church, to explain the theological dimensions of the early Christian mission, and to integrate numerous studies published in recent decades into a synthetic picture. Schnabel's detailed analysis will form a solid basis for a new understanding of the rise of Christianity and the nature of Christian mission—both then and now. Eckhard J. Schnabel (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is Mary F. Rockefeller Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has taught previously at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, Illinois), Freie Theologische Akademie (Giessen, Germany), Wiedenest Bible College (Bergneustadt, Germany), and Asian Theological Seminary (Manila, Philippines). His books include Early Christian Mission (volumes 1 & 2), Paul the Missionary, and Der erste Brief des Paulus an die Korinther. He is the author of numerous articles, including "Luke" (with David W. Pao) in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament and contributions in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters and Dictionary of the Later New Testament & Its Developments.

Much more than a how-to flower gardening book (though you will learn how to), Garden Maker is for those who want to grow beautiful things that reflect the glory and majesty of the Creator and bring a little bit of heaven down to earth. From the beginning God made a garden, so it’s no surprise if you feel closer to Him with your hands in the dirt and the sun on your back. There is something profoundly soul-satisfying about creating and cultivating beauty. If you long to experience more splendor in your life, you can grow some of your very own. Join kindred spirit Christie Purifoy as she helps you unearth the simple delights of growing garden flowers, from preparing and planning to creating beautiful bouquets and other arrangements. Lavishly photographed and lovingly written, this all-seasons guide invites you to discover the innumerable joys and wonders to be found in the flower garden. Christie Purifoy is a writer and gardener, her favorite ordinary things include strawberry jam, homegrown flowers, and old books with someone else's notes in them. She lives with her husband and children at Maplehurst, a Victorian red brick farmhouse in southeastern Pennsylvania. Christie earned a PhD in English Literature from the University of Chicago before trading the classroom for a picket-fenced garden and an old writing desk. Today, she grows zucchini her four kids refuse to eat. The zucchini-loving chickens are perfectly happy with this arrangement. Christie's first book, Roots and Sky: A Journey Home in Four Seasons, was published by Revell in 2016. Her newest book, Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Peace, released in spring 2019 from Zondervan and is available wherever books are sold. Christie believes that life, in all its pain and beauty and mystery, is a journey of love. Writing keeps her eyes wide-open to this astonishing reality.

Savor your best tomato harvest ever! Craig LeHoullier provides everything a tomato enthusiast needs to know about growing more than 200 varieties of tomatoes, from planting to cultivating and collecting seeds at the end of the season. He also offers a comprehensive guide to various pests and tomato diseases, explaining how best to avoid them. With beautiful photographs and intriguing tomato profiles throughout, Epic Tomatoes celebrates one of the most versatile and delicious crops in your garden.  Craig LeHoullier is the author of Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales and Epic Tomatoes and the tomato adviser for Seed Savers Exchange. In the last 30 years, he has trialed more than 1,200 tomato varieties and has introduced more than 100 varieties to the trade. He lectures widely, from local Master Gardener groups to Monticello, the Philadelphia and Northwest Flower Shows, and Seed Savers Exchange.

What goes on inside a great narrator to make them great? This ground-breaking work answers this question by exploring the psychophysical aspect of voiceover. The reader is given a bird's-eye view of the professional narrator's mental, physical, and vocal ”machinery” as well as an in-depth look at the underlying currents that power it: energy, intention, emotion, connection, and flow. Ideal for all-from novice to seasoned voiceover pro-Voiceover Narration inspires the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of voiceover performance within each narration subgenre, including audiobooks, corporate films, documentaries, e-learning, and explainer videos.With wisdom, humor, and personal anecdotes, Dian Perry shares everything she has learned about narration from decades as a voice actor and teacher. Her advice is supplemented by graphics, worksheets, and a variety of sample text for practice. Voiceover Narration is a much-needed handbook that guides voice actors in creating and delivering more intuitive voiceover performances. Thanks for stopping by! I’m a US voice actor, teacher, and voiceover coach based in London. I’ve worked as a professional voice actor since early 1998 and a character voice teacher and voiceover coach since 2006. In addition to voicing in studios across London and the UK, I’m able to work with clients all over the world from my studio in East London, lovingly nicknamed ‘The Shed’ as the voice booth is made from a custom-built garden shed. I’m not going to ramble too much here about every project I’ve worked on over the years and everything I could do for you to bring your project to life. I’ll let my demos, client roster and testimonials speak for themselves. So have a look/listen and a little poke around, then just get in touch if you have any questions. My business model is simple: to provide a first class, professional voiceover service that will breathe life into your projectto deliver high quality audio to your specs and deadlineto make the whole process as painless and fun as possible Enjoy, and I look forward to working with you soon! DianLeah Marks - Voice Artist (www.leahmarks.co.uk) "I attended one of Dian's character voice courses because I needed to learn how to identify the processes involved in developing characters and practice them near someone who knew what they were talking about. Dian gave me so much thoughtful encouragement and insightful feedback during class, and I hugely enjoyed the course. When I went on to record my character demo she was kind enough to listen to a first draft, and her input made an enormous difference to the quality of the end result. Dian seriously knows her stuff, and I am privileged to have worked with her."Emma White - Actor & Voice Artist, London "Dian is a first class voiceover coach. From the minute you meet her, you know you are in good hands: she exudes warmth, positivity and buckets of character. She has so much experience and knowledge to impart that you learn and grow as an artist with every session. Not only do you find your voice but you find direction and a path to follow to help you get to where you want to be. Her knowledge of the business is second to none and with her coaching and guidance she has helped me not only to record my demo but to set up my own recording facilities too."Tanya Smith - Voiceover Student, London "She shares her obvious knowledge and experience in sessions....  I enjoy every one and come away buzzing with new ideas and enthusiasm!”Bruce Duncan - Voice Artist, London "...THANK YOU SO MUCH!  The animation course I've just attended at City Lit was superb, crammed full with so many nuggets and has succeeded in dragging me out of my comfort zone, where I was stagnating."Steph Brooks, former student - Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts "...a truly fascinating and fun workshop I believe every actor should experience."Elizabeth Ollier - Voice Artist, London ...

With A Jesus Christmas, you can explore God’s amazing plan for Christmas with this family devotional for Advent. This Advent devotional offers an exciting and fresh way for your family to prepare for Christmas. Right from the beginning, the serpent lied to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden – and he has been lying ever since. But right from the beginning, God told us his amazing plan to send Jesus. Each of the 25 readings looks at one of the serpent’s lies from Genesis 3, and then shows how the glorious truth of Christmas beats it every time! There is even space for each family member to make their own notes. So get each family member a copy of A Jesus Christmas and a Bible, and find ten minutes a day in December to look at God’s word together and dwell on the good news of Christmas. A Better Than Anything Christmas is the second Advent devotional for families from Barbara Reaoch, author of the very popular A Jesus Christmas. These daily devotions in the Gospels give a thorough investigation of why Jesus came. In the lead-up to Christmas, families will explore 25 reasons why Jesus came, and they will see that what Jesus gives us is better than anything else we could wish for. Each day there is a passage to read together, questions to think about, an explanation and a prayer. There are also age-appropriate application questions, some for younger children and some for older children, as well as journaling space so that each family member can write or draw their own response to what God has shown them. So why not set aside a little time each day in the run up to Christmas to look at God’s word together with this inspiring and innovative resource? "Nothing thrills me more than to see the great truths of the gospel change kids lives. I love to give adults tools to disciple the next generation. I want every parent and teacher to know that God's Word has power to enable their children to discover the joy of loving God." Teaching cross-culturally changed Barbara’s perspective. She says, "Living overseas I learned in a new way that God's Word can reach children in every situation. No matter what reasons people think they cannot disciple their children - they can! I've seen the power of God's Word help children around the world — from Africa to Asia, India to the Alps, poor or rich. Whatever the challenge - God has given parents the privilege and power to reach their children with the transforming truth of his Word." Barbara and her husband lived in Michigan before moving to Cape Town, South Africa, to teach Bible Study Fellowship classes. They also worked with the Rafiki Foundation to train young women in job and life skills. With her grandchildren far away, Barbara began to write Bible studies for them to bridge the distance. She drew her first two books, “Why Easter” and “Why Christmas" from those studies. Barbara’s most recent book is “A Better Than Anything Christmas.” After returning to the US, Barbara directed the Children’s Division of Bible Study Fellowship International.  Barbara now lives in Minneapolis, MN, where she is learning to love snow again! She and her family are privileged to be a part of the amazing body of believers at Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Do you feel like you’re doing it all and it’s still not enough?  Discover your shortcut to success in P.S. You’re A Genius.  We all know that sensation of seeing someone really in their element. It’s that “it factor.” Steve Jobs had it in spades. Elon Musk just puts everyone else to shame. And, Steven Speilburg was just doing it way back when before it was cool. Some call it “special sauce” or that “secret ingredient.” It’s that thing that’s so hard to define, yet everyone talks about. (And really wants). Kelly Trach calls it your genius. And it’s not as elusive as you think. In fact, she’s going to teach you how to find it. After a lifetime of overachieving, aiming to be excellent at everything, and three failed tech startups in Silicon Valley, Kelly Trach was stirred by a simple question: What if I just did what I’m good at?  Now a six-figure business coach, Kelly poses the same question to you: What if you just did what you’re good at? Despite conventional wisdom, the gifts and experience you need are already innate. P.S. You’re a Genius takes you on a self-reflective journey to find your own gifts (especially when you don’t feel “gifted” at all), asking questions like: How are your idols a reflection of your own genius?What are you great at that nobody taught you how to do?How is your darkest shadow your greatest gift?What have you been unexpectedly criticized for? Through these questions and more, you’ll uncover the ways you naturally excel, relinquish the lie that you’re not “good enough,” and discover how to convincingly convey your value to anyone. In the process, you’ll unlock the gumption to go after what you really want and ditch the mindset blocks holding you back—because YOU have an inherent genius. You just have to find it... I’m Kelly 4X ENTREPRENEUR, BUSINESS COACH + AUTHOR I help visionaries build digital businesses with 1:1 services and online courses based on their genius. I’m the also author of P.S. You’re A Genius: an unconventional guide to finding your innate gifts (even when you feel like you have none).

You've thought about starting your own business . . . but how can you decide if you should really take the leap? There's a lot on the line, and you have to ask yourself difficult questions: Do I have what it takes? Is it worth it? And how the hell do I do it? You need answers. This book has them. Entrepreneurial Leap: Do You Have What it Takes to Become an Entrepreneur? is an easy-to-use guide that will help you decide, once and for all, if entrepreneurship is right for you—because success as an entrepreneur depends on far more than just a great idea and a generous helping of luck. In this three-part book, Gino Wickman, bestselling author of Traction, reveals the six essential traits that every entrepreneur needs in order to succeed, based on real-world startups that have reached incredible heights. If these traits ring true for you, you'll get a glimpse of what your life would look like as an entrepreneur. What's more, Wickman will help you determine what type of business best suits your unique skill set and provide a detailed roadmap, with tools, tips, and exercises, that will accelerate your path to startup success. Packed with real-life stories and practical advice, Entrepreneurial Leap is a simple how-to manual for BIG results. Should you take the leap toward entrepreneurship? Find out today and let tomorrow be the first step in your new journey, whatever shape it may take. An entrepreneur since the age of 21, Gino has had an obsession for learning what makes businesses and entrepreneurs thrive. At 25 he took over the family business, which was deeply in debt and in need of help. After turning the company around and running it for seven years, he and his partners successfully sold the company. Gino then set out to help entrepreneurs and leaders get what they want from their businesses. Based on his years of real-world experience, he created the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®), a practical method for helping companies achieve greatness. He has personally delivered more than 1,900 full-day sessions for more than 135 companies, helping them implement EOS. He is also the author of the award-winning, best-selling book Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business, which has sold over 1 million copies, as well as five other books in the Traction Library that have sold almost 2 million copies. Gino is the founder of EOS Worldwide, an organization that helps thousands of businesses implement EOS with the aid of an international team of over 400 professional and certified EOS Implementers and online support. There are over 130,000 companies using the EOS tools worldwide. Gino is now devoting time and energy toward helping entrepreneurs-in-the-making get a huge jump-start on taking their entrepreneurial leap, which is why he created and wrote Entrepreneurial Leap.

Your Battle against Porn Isn’t about Porn. It’s about Hope. Pornography may seem inescapable, but God can free us from its destructive power. The gospel replaces the dehumanizing lies of pornography with this surprising truth: God created us as royalty. How then can we reclaim our God-given identity to take a stand against—and ultimately starve—the predatory porn industry? In The Death of Porn, Ray Ortlund writes six personal letters, as from a father to his son. Ideal for individuals and small groups, it will give hope to men who have been misled by porn into devaluing themselves and others. Through Scripture and personal stories, Ortlund assures readers that God loves them the most tenderly in their moments of deepest shame. The Death of Porn inspires men to come together in new ways to fight the injustice of porn and build a world of nobility for every man and woman—for the sake of future generations. Ray Ortlund is the President of Renewal Ministries, the Pastor to Pastors at Immanuel Church Nashville, and a Canon Theologian with the Anglican Church in North America. He is the author of several books, including the Preaching the Word commentaries on Isaiah and Proverbs and Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel. He is also a contributor to the ESV Study Bible. Ray and his wife, Jani, have been married for fifty years.