Christians SPEAK UP! —Your Source for Christ

A serious diagnosis took Lori Ann Wood on a faith detour she never saw coming. As a lifelong believer in Jesus, she felt profound disappointment in the God she thought she knew. Wanting answers, but more than anything, needing permission to ask the questions, Divine Detour is a result of a risky decision to embrace those difficult questions. In this episode of Christians Speak Up! Lori shares her hard-won insights through her journey, inviting you go deep into the heart of a God who often doesn’t behave as we might wish. https://loriannwood.com/books/

Join us for a chat with Allen Arnold, author of "Waves of Creativity." * Create New Things With God * Start Seeing Yourself the Way God Sees You * Use Your Art and Creativity in New Ways The Creator of galaxies, oceans, wildflowers, and stallions made you creative. He gave you an imagination. Eyes to see what has never been. A voice to speak things into existence. The reason why is astonishing. It’s not so you’ll get busy doing things for God. But so you’ll pursue the very things you love with God. That is true creativity. And this is your invitation to experience it as never before. Allen Arnold—noted creativity author, coach, and speaker—has helped thousands with his teachings on co-creating with God. This book brings together his central insights on topics such as Imagination, Opposition, Questions, Wonder, and Expectancy. Each page features original quotes or timeless Scripture that, like waves, will wash over you, refresh you, and stir you to greater creativity. Your art wants to grow deeper, wilder, truer. It’s just waiting for you to go first. It is a journey best taken one thought at a time. The goal isn’t to get somewhere fast. But to become more fully you along the way. https://www.withallen.com/books

R. Christian Bohlen is a professional communicator. He is a #1 Amazon best-selling author and an award-winning consultant to Fortune 500 companies, providing instructional design services and developing human performance improvement programs. He has been involved in ministry and church leadership for more than 30 years and worked for over a decade with juvenile offenders as an educator. He’s enjoyed a successful career in corporate training, resulting in prestigious personal and team awards including the 2013 Brandon Hall Silver award and the 2015 ISPI Outstanding Human Performance Improvement award. He holds a Master of Science degree in Communications from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Christian has been active in his faith throughout most of his life, serving in his church family and witnessing of Christ to many. He speaks regularly at congregations in central PA and central FL. His interest in writing Christian learning materials developed twenty-five years ago as he looked for simple resources to help youth understand the Bible and find Christ. Unable to find brief, plain-English materials about the life of Jesus, he decided to begin writing and ultimately blogging.   https://rchristianbohlen.com/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BZV95NZ/ http://StormyMarriage.info

Join us for a chat with John Riddle, founder of I Love To Write Day. https://ilovetowriteday.com/ "My goal for I Love To Write Day is to have people of all ages spend time writing. They can write a poem, a love letter, a greeting card, an essay, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel…the possibilities are endless. But I want people to take the time to put their thoughts down on paper. They will be amazed at the results. “Writing can be fun, but also challenging. People need to be challenged, and writing is but one of many creative ways to express yourself. I am very excited because I Love To Write Day activities are already being planned all across the United States. “For many people, that will be the beginning of their writing career. I Love To Write Day has the potential to launch the career of the next John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark, Stephen King or Toni Morrison.” Be encouraged with John's latest book: The Flying Nun, A Light Bulb Moment and Me: 40 Years Making Money As A Freelance Writer (Hey, You Can Do It, Too!) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JB63C5P/

In this edition of Christians Speak UP! Ester Lovejoy talks about how holiness is not an endless list of “thou shalt nots.” It’s not how we behave, what we think, or how we react or respond to life and the people around us.  A frequent retreat and conference speaker with over thirty years of ministry experience, M. Esther Lovejoy leads us back to the scriptural understanding of holiness. In An Unnatural Beauty, you’ll discover… •    Foundational truths from Scripture •    The path to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God •    Holiness can’t be achieved through our own efforts. With relatable stories, Esther challenges us with God’s call to holiness and encourages us with God’s enabling to make this real and practical in our lives. Holiness is not a what, but a glorious Who, and He’s inviting you to share in His divine nature. Buy An Unnatural Beauty today and begin your journey toward a more intimate relationship with God. Book Ester for your next women's event! https://viewfromthesparrowsnest.com/ lovejoy988 (at) aol.com

Timothy Holder has published several books on presidents, their faith, and leadership. His interest in presidents is both a cause and effect of his work as a History professor. Tim's Christianity is the source of his interest in faith as a writing topic. And over the years, he has been a boss, and has been bossed around, hence the interest in leadership. He has a Ph. D. and a Masters degree in History from the University of Kentucky. He also received a Masters in Applied Theology from Carson-Newman University, and during his undergraduate studies at Asbury University he majored in both Bible and Education (with a History emphasis for the latter).Tim is former Assistant Dean in the Behavioral and Social Science Division at Walters State Community College. Join us on our Christians Speak UP podcast as we discuss Tim's books: Devotions with Presidents, Presidential Stories, Ask the Professors Keys to College Success, and Presidential Character: Geroge Washington-John Qunicy Adams. https://www.amazon.com/Timothy-D-Holder/e/B002BMICP0?

Nancy E. Head attends the non-denominational First Church of Christ. Nancy is a lifelong resident of Blair County in central Pennsylvania, dwelling for most of her years in Altoona―with a brief interval in Logan Township. She is a graduate of Penn State and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She teaches Advanced Placement English at Great Commission Schools and composition classes at Penn State Altoona. Nancy is a United States Armed Forces Mother and a member of the Blair County Republican Committee and Toastmasters. Nancy worked in both radio and print journalism before becoming a high school and college-level teacher. She blogs about Church and social issues twice weekly, and CBN.com has published several of her devotionals. Her experiences as a single mother raising five young children showed her how poverty alleviation is an issue for the church and an issue requiring a Church in accord. Written in an easy-to-understand, conversational style, Restoring the Shattered is an account of Nancy E. Head’s journey through single-motherhood and poverty. The permanent divide between her and her husband led to a shattering of their family as the children settled into separate camps. The story begins when Nancy and her children have little to eat. Through a miraculous intervention, God provides—and leads them along their way. Other interventions and more guidance came from people of different denominations, illustrating Christ’s love through the larger Church. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H2QDPRM/

Sherry's heart is to share everything she can about recovery and what it looks like to surrender to God and the life He is calling you to live. What do you struggle with? Drugs? Alcohol? Food? Shopping? Relationships?  Whatever it is, She Surrenders! is the right place to find encouragement for today and find comfort that you are not alone. We all have our stuff. Let's fine hope together. Find freedom from those things that hold you captive every day and enjoy have renewed strength to stay on your journey! https://www.shesurrenders.com/

Drawing from her international experiences as the wife of a career naval officer and attaché that have taken her from the east coast of the USA across the Pacific to Hawaii, the Atlantic to Europe, the Gulf of Mexico to South America and back, Penny shares in her book, Bounce! Don't Break, the way she has learned to bounce-back from set-backs and emerge from unwanted change stronger, more authentic and resilient.   She also writes for children and is the author of the Amazon bestseller, "Little White Squirrel’s Secret – A Special Place to Practice," dedicated to her severely autistic granddaughter, and the picture book in rhyme, Rodeo Mouse and The Greatest Escape Plan in Mouse History. She is currently working on Piper Tales-The Adventures of a Very Lucky Black and White Dog. These stories were originally published in a local newspaper and on-line as a popular children's serial. Her blog, A Thought From Penny, is a continuing source of encouragement that provides specific tactics, practical advice, stories and words of encouragement to help readers develop and maintain a strong inner foundation and build resilience for the challenges of life's ups and downs. Learn more at: PennyLHunt.com

Carol grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and lived in the Midwest most of her married life. In her first novel, Lake Surrender, Carol uses her love of Michigan lakes to tell a story of a woman to see a greater hand at work amidst her struggles with abrupt change and difficult circumstances. With slices of humor, Carol writes of the hardships many face, especially single moms. Her characters include the parent of a disabled child, a displaced employee, a lonely widow and a once homeless young man.  https://www.carolgstratton.com/

Jay Mills is the author of The Game On! A Coach's Game Plan For Discipleship. He is an accomplished writer and sought after speaker who offers a unique and biblical perspective on leadership, discipleship, and personal and spiritual growth. Whether during the pivotal moments of our lives or in our routine days, we all need the inspiration of a coach. Regardless of the topic, Jay Mills conveys a message that needs to be heard. https://coachjaymills.com/

Join Jane Herlong as she talks about all things South, Southern, and sassy from her new book, Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South: Sassy, Sacred, Southern Stories Filled with Hope and Humor. Southern humorist Jane Jenkins Herlong brings joy and humor with her 50 unusual-but-true faith-filled stories of growing up in the South Carolina low country. Whether you love Southern ways of life or find their ways strange and amusing, you’ll be entertained and inspired with warm Southern-fried humor and tried-and-true tips for attaining the best version of yourself. Jane’s 50 stories address specific landmark events along with issues in a woman’s life, such as fitting into the covered-dish church culture, sacred sisterhood, sassy seasoned Southern women and why we are drawn to beauty pageant competition, and much more! SiriusXM Southern humorist Jane Jenkins Herlong, journeyed from the rows of  her father’s tomato farm to the runway of the Miss America Pageant and beyond, Jane ‘s Southern storytelling compels audiences to laugh- out-loud while learning how to deal with difficult people, through unexpected challenges  and say “NEXT” when people tell you “NO."

Del Duduit a life-long resident of the Southern Ohio area and an award-winning writer. As a sports writer, he won two Associated Press awards for columns. As a broadcaster and news director, he received an award from the Ohio News Network. In television, Del earned a sales award from The WB Network. For the past several years, he’s been a pharmaceutical sales professional.  Del’s dabbled in the freelance arena and has many articles published in Sports Spectrum — a quarterly magazine dedicated to highlighting Christian athletes. He’s interviewed Andy Pettitte of the New York Yankees and recently spent some time with Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals. Del is a contributing writer for OneChristianVoice.com, Sohiovoice.com, and also a guest blogger for Almost an Author, and have been published in The Sports Column as well as ToddStarnes.com and Clubhouse Magazine — a publication of Focus on the Family. In addition, Del writes for PM Magazine, a quarterly publication that highlights the positive aspects of Southern Ohio, where he lives with wife Angie. They have raised two godly men who are both preachers, and Angie sings and plays piano at Rubyville Community Church. Del’s new book Dugout Devotions releases in February, 2018. https://www.amazon.com/Dugout-Devotions-Inspirational-Stars-Faith/dp/156309133X

Cheryl Crofoot Knapp is passionate about using her life experiences to encourage others. She is a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, speaker, author, blogger, and Mrs. Minnesota-America 1996. Her book, Undefeated Innocence: How God Helped My Parents and Me Navigate the Alzheimer’s Journey, combines personal and humorous anecdotes with Biblical truths to share His hope and encouragement to caregivers, and includes factual information and research. Cheryl was a caregiver for her parents who both died of Alzheimer’s. She cried out to God, “Where are you in Alzheimer’s?” Undefeated Innocence is a study of the Beatitudes with the fruit of the Spirit, and includes lessons and tools she learned in caregiving. Undefeated Innocence is a challenge to find God’s calling and to know that His grace is always sufficient. Cheryl believes that those who have been through much are called to give much. She encourages readers to find passionate patience, look for life’s collateral beauty, and recognize that it’s okay to store toothpaste in an underwear drawer. She and her husband are members of First Baptist Church of Mountain Home (Arkansas). She participates in Walks to End Alzheimer’s and has served in Bible study, worship, evangelism, and prison ministries. She founded Regifted Grace Ministry and shares her contagious faith at conferences, retreats, banquets, and churches, as well as on television and radio. Her husband Chuck is inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame and is highlighted as one of only a hundred radio jocks in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland.

A murder . . . A mystery . . . A monster . . . Is there a vampire killer running loose in Transylvania, North Carolina? Last summer, Nick Caden became an Internet celebrity for almost a whole day when he discovered Billy the Kid's killer in the "living" ghost town of Deadwood. (Not the real Billy the Kid -- he's been dead for years.) When the owner of the Cool Ghoul Gazette learns of Nick's super sleuthing skills, he hires Nick to investigate the death of a vampire. In Transylvania, North Carolina, Nick finds a corpse with fangs, bite marks and a stake driven through its heart. But once he begins to peel back the clues surrounding the murder, Nick finds his new job is not only dangerous but could suck the life out of him. Review links: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FBM962X/ https://www.audible.com/pd/B08FBJ82DQ Listen to this audiobook for free! at audible.com/acx-promo with these promo codes: US codes: FHY7NLDZP9DLF J8K9ZLNES8QRE KX7CAQQ7PT3S8 KYFHS3BFXWSJB M2HMGG52XPFJZ MYKDSSUQBBYSD MYRJ5QQMTN2YA R5773ZAWQ5GWS RNUL68BBKTPYT UTLYWZZFMCMF6 WP3WKXF42ZRDP ZX2PRC79FTXJW UK codes: H5GDMEHKYG4Y9 HNHUFSM8UD6U6 NLPXNUZWDECFK RETKFZQXBRSYX RME69A3HY8LFB TYHS464ZD9WG2 UQP83QU46KYZU Y6P8PUDKYZ4Q4 YNBU6J2MAP8LU

Voddie Baucham wears many hats. He is a husband, father, former pastor, author, professor, conference speaker, and church planter. He currently serves as Dean of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia. Voddie makes the Bible clear and demonstrates the relevance of God’s word to everyday life. However, he does so without compromising the centrality of Christ and the gospel. Those who hear him preach find themselves both challenged and encouraged. Voddie’s area of emphasis is Cultural Apologetics. Whether teaching on classical apologetic issues like the validity and historicity of the Bible, or the resurrection of Christ; or teaching on biblical manhood/womanhood, marriage and family, he helps ordinary people understand the significance of thinking and living biblically in every area of life. It is impossible to understand Voddie’s approach to the Bible without first understanding the path he has walked. Raised in a non-Christian, single-parent home, Voddie did not hear the gospel until he was in college. His journey to faith was a very unusual and intellectual one. Consequently, he understands what it means to be a skeptic, and knows what it’s like to try to figure out the Christian life without relying on the traditions of men. As a result, he speaks to ‘outsiders’ in ways few Bible teachers can. Voddie and his wife, Bridget have been married since 1989. They have nine children: Jasmine, Trey (Voddie, III), Elijah, Asher, Judah, Micah, Safya, Amos, and Simeon. The Bauchams are committed home educators. To find out more about Voddie, his books and resources, visit his web site at: https://www.voddiebaucham.org/  

A murder . . . A mystery . . . A monster . . . Is there a werewolf running loose in Sleepy Hollow? ★2020 Selah Award Finalist - Middle Grade Fiction★ When his mom's childhood friend invites Nick to stay on her estate in Sleepy Hollow, New York, Nick reluctantly agrees. On the train ride up Nick re-examines the news accounts in the "Daily Crawler" for any clues as to the mysterious death of Candee Brenneman. Law enforcement officials claim a wolf or some other large animal killed the jogger under a bridge in Rockefeller State Park. Large misshapen paw prints were found around the body. There were also bite marks on her hands, and arms. Her death, occurring during a full moon, have led some to suggest that a werewolf may be running loose in Sleepy Hollow. Nick knows there is no such creature as a werewolf, but as he digs into the case, he uncovers hints that part of the werewolf legend may be true. Now, as the last full moon of the month rises over Sleepy Hollow, Nick is about to learn that some monsters are real. And the worst kind of monster is the one you never see coming. Available online at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GCWWQR5/ and https://www.audible.com/pd/B08GCX9573 Listen to this audiobook for free! at audible.com/acx-promo with these promo codes: US codes: E64YGYKNDZJY8 K5T2N3B9SL4UT YC6MJ78YZ54PH UK codes: 4BX9RCRYYNE8H 6SBPZXD5WG6TC 7T4EDHL9MY9U5 7W9YEQUL2PB45 7XUCPFGUWKZ2P 9GLECT4BLD6Z2 9L8F24WN6SUPG

Kevin Sorbo has enjoyed success on television for over twenty consecutive years, a feat rarely accomplished by an actor. Sorbo quickly rose to stardom in the title role of the hit series, Hercules, the Legendary Journeys. The immense popularity of the five initial 2-hour telefilms in 1993 resulted in the launch of a weekly series by 1994. The series not only became a breakout hit by becoming the number one first-run program in syndication, it also passed Baywatch as the most watched TV show in the world. Now the "God's Not Dead" and "Hercules" actor Kevin Sorbo is urging churches of all sizes to back faith-based and God-glorifying films, especially in a culture that has an “ever-increasing anger” toward Christians.  “I get stopped, and 80% of the time people say, ‘Please make more movies like ['God’s Not Dead'],’” Sorbo revealed in an interview on Abby Johnson’s hit podcast, "Politely Rude." “It’s amazing — pastors will stop me and say, ‘You can reach so many people. I'm a pastor of a small church.’ And I go, ‘I don’t care how small your church is. We need your support.’”

At the conclusion of a seminar on, “Trances and Visions: Exploring the Out-of-Body Experience,” the wealthy daughter of a prominent physician approaches Ricky with an offer. "If my father could fix things so your mother would receive the best cancer treatment for free, would you go back in time to clear my ancestor’s good name?" Ricky explains that he can’t simply will himself to have an episode and take a time-travel trip. "Absence seizures don't work that way. Even if I could go back, I can’t control when and where I end up.” But Ricky also knows there have been instances where someone claimed they slipped into a trance and saw past and future events. "They saw things," Ricky says to the rich girl, "but didn't change what happened in the past." Moments later Ricky finds himself in pirate land with Stede Bonnet, a rich sugar plantation owner who thought becoming a pirate might be a fun way to live out the rest of his life. Set sail from Barbados with Bonnet’s crew as they slant west towards the North American coast, and run afoul of the British Royal Navy, the good citizens of Charleston, and the pirate Blackbeard. Get the audiobook online: amazon.com/dp/B08VD48YKM/ http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B08VDYWD6D Listen to this audiobook for free! at audible.com/acx-promo with these promo codes: US: B3K8M5636UD9J DJGEQWC9SSUYD EDP32HCC3NS87 FJHEXJ83PWR8K JRNAEHNPFZ68X L37WEY9GX3DZB L3WC88NBNQH8X L77LAEHRPXDR8 LRLSTRWCTJSTJ MCDUR6JXXMRJF N2JCUSRKLS6TD  

2020 Selah Award Winner for YA Literature While searching for rumored treasure in a cave on Coffin Cay, a small island off the southwestern tip of Haiti (Hispaniola), Ricky suffers an absence seizure. During his last trance-like episode, Ricky uncovered a treasure from the Nuestra Señora de Riqueza, a vessel in an armada of ships sailing the Spanish Main. Now back on Coffin Cay with his parents, Ricky hunts for the treasure he found in the cave over three hundred years earlier during his trip back to pirate land. The End of Calico Jack is a fictional retelling of the pirate escapades of Calico Jack, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read. The story is based on historical research of the life of "Calico Jack" John Rackham. Some liberties have been taken in the telling of the story, but many of the events reflect what historians believed happened to Jack, Mary, and Anne.  Also, in real life those who suffer absence seizures may appear to be in a trance but cannot recall what happens during their episode.  Get the audiobook online: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NVQ36FQ/ http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B08NVR1L9N Listen to this audiobook for free! at audible.com/acx-promo with these promo codes: US codes: GSAJ9MYB827A5 U4YMS2HU3SAAZ UUBRY36HBBH4P WDDBA3234NK97 UK codes: RP8DARKW4ZRJR WND2DAZZJXQEL YXDHQAKHX3Y2X ZA7FAYCK97D9L ZSQWC5UN5GR7W