DO WE REALLY BELIEVE THIS?

DO WE REALLY BELIEVE THIS?

Nothing can touch us that is not God's will for our life. When we are surrendered and believe in Him and His purposes, when we continue to trust and obey God, then we can rest in His keeping power over our lives. (Isaiah 26:3)

God's Will is working in the omnipotence for me all the time, with nothing to prevent it I am surrendered and believing.

It doesn't matter how unjust a thing may be that happens to me, or how absolutely it may seem to come straight from the devil. Why?

Because by the time that it reaches me, it is God's will for me at this time in my life and He will work it together for good in my life.

"For ALL things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28)

Can we believe that all the attacks that Satan throws our way through other people's sin, those due to sickness and disease, or what comes by accidents or calamity, are powerless to harm us?

And somehow/somewhere on our journey, God has promised that all of these hard to understand things that He has allowed to touch our lives, will be turned into blessing.

Like Jesus said to those who would harm him, "You haven't a shred of authority [power] over me except what has been given you from heaven" (John 19:11).

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR NEW HOPE?

Are you looking for new HOPE?
Are you hoping for new possibilities?
Are you willing to work for change?
Are you stepping up to be the change?
Change begins when we see the HOPE in a thing.


HOPE always sees new possibilities.
It sees what ought to be but is not yet.
HOPE isn't satisfied with the way things are.
It does not believe this is "as good as it gets."


Instead, HOPE believes for a better tomorrow.
HOPE embraces all who are willing to make a difference.


Psalm 42:5 - I will put my HOPE in God! I will praise him again--
Psalm 119:49 - Remember your promise to me; it is my only HOPE.
Psalm 119:74 - May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my HOPE in your word.
Proverbs 13:12 - HOPE deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.


Romans 15:4 - And the Scriptures give us HOPE and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.
Romans 15:13 - I pray that God, the source of HOPE, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
1 Timothy 4:10 - This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our HOPE is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold tightly without wavering to the HOPE we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

When You Ask God To Bless Others Or Yourself

WHEN GOD COMES WITH BLESSINGS

God's blessing is the active presence of God in our circumstances. And when God comes, His hands are never empty. They are full of the blessings and gifts we need to face life and to live it to the full.

However, are you looking for the wrong things when you seek God's blessings?
Here are some things you need to know:

1. A blessing is a GIFT that touches life and its mystery.
2. God's blessings are not always finances or material resources.
3. Sometimes we receive the gift of God's presence.
4. It may be the gift of FAITH.
5. Perseverance, Peace, and Hope are also gifts.
6. God's blessings may come as Deliverance, Help, and Provision.
7. A blessings rarely comes to us because we demand it.
8. A blessing (Gift) is the surprise from God that makes life full.

The Aaronic (Priestly) Blessing is found in Numbers 6:24-26:

God bless you and keep you.
God smile on you and gift you.
God look you full in the face and make you prosper.

A blessing is a way of asking God's divine favor to rest upon others. The 5 parts in the priestly blessing show the hope that God would: (1) bless and protect them; (2) smile on them (be pleased); (3) be gracious (merciful and compassionate); (4) show his favor toward them (give his approval);  (5) give peace.

When you ask God to bless others or yourself you are asking him to do these 5 things. The blessing will not only help the one receiving it, it will also demonstrate love, encourage others, and provide a model of caring for others.

WHAT YOU WATCH ON TV, COMPUTER, OR SOCIAL MEDIA HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT YOUR AGE AND WHO YOU ARE.

WHAT YOU WATCH ON TV, COMPUTER, OR SOCIAL MEDIA HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT YOUR AGE AND WHO YOU ARE.

Barna Research Group brings us this interesting report -- the result of a nationwide online study conducted February 3 to February 11, 2015. The survey included 1,000 adults 18 and older.

There are notable differences when it comes to watching news and sports: Elders are more likely than younger generations to report regularly viewing these genres. Also significant are the differences between practicing Christians (who attended at least one church service during the past month and say their faith is very important in their lives), non-practicing Christians (who self-identify as Christian but do not qualify as “practicing”) and those of other faiths or none. According to the new research, each of the four adult generations reports a TV top-three list unique to their content and delivery preferences. 

 

For example, the top shows watched by Elders (Americans 69 years and older) are all dramas aired on one of the “Big Four” television networks: ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox. Forty-four percent of Elders report watching NCIS (CBS), one-third say they watch Person of Interest (CBS, 33%) or Criminal Minds (CBS, 33%), and about one-quarter regularly watch Castle (ABC, 23%).

By contrast, Millennials (ages 18 to 30) watch a combination of comedies, dramas and “dramedies” that air on network, cable or Internet streaming services. One in four young adults say they watch The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 25%), and one in five watch Criminal Minds (21%), The Walking Dead (AMC, 21%) or Orange Is the New Black (Netflix, 20%).

Gen-Xers (ages 31 to 49) share with Millennials an affinity for The Big Bang Theory (26%) and The Walking Dead (25%), while Boomers (ages 50 to 68) split their loyalties between the younger generations’ preference for Big Bang (34%) and the Elders’ favorite, NCIS (36%).

What do they all have in common? At least one in five adults among every age group watches Criminal Minds, the police procedural that follows an elite squad of FBI specialists who profile the country’s most disturbing criminals. One-third of Elders (33%), one in four Boomers (24%), and one in five Gen-Xers (19%) and Millennials (20%) report regularly watching Criminal Minds.

There is also measurable disparity in the amount of time each generation reports spending in front of the TV (or viewing TV programming on another screen). While a majority among all ages says they turn on the TV seven days a week (Elders 93%, Boomers 83%, Gen-Xers 69%, Millennials 52%), young adults are far more likely than older Americans to say they don’t turn it on at all.

Older Americans’ preference for traditional media extends beyond entertainment to information acquisition, as well. Twice as many Elders (41%) as Gen-Xers (21%) and Millennials (20%) say they turn to network television at least a few times a day to get new information. The proportions are reversed when it comes to getting new information via digital tech:

• Millennials (40%) and Gen-Xers (42%) are twice as likely as Elders (22%) to say they use websites at least a few times a day to get new information.
• Millennials (36%) are three times as likely as Elders (12%) to use social media at least a few times a day to stay informed.
• Millennials (49%) are nearly four times as likely as Elders (13%) to use a mobile or smart phone to access new information.

For charts, details, and the rest of the story, go to The Barna Group Website, May 20, 2015: https://www.barna.org/barna-update/media-watch/720-network-cable-streaming-what-americans-are-watching-in-2015

New Faith-Based PR & Consulting Service Launches

ThinkZILLA PR & Consulting Group Launches New Faith-Based PR & Consulting Services Division on June 1st
  

HOUSTON, May 13, 2015 -- Churches and other religious organizations working in an increasingly secular world now have access to expert help in reaching their audiences and spreading their messages of faith and hope. Award winning Houston-area media firm ThinkZILLA PR & Consulting Group announces the launch of their new division, Faith-Based PR & Consulting Experts.

The new division, which opens for business on Monday, June 1st, is centered entirely on the unique needs and outreach considerations of faith-based organizations. Signature services include public relations, branding and operational consulting work, marketing strategy, event production, and crisis management guidance. The corporate website is www.faithbasedpr.com. 

"Using public relations or marketing in conjunction with a church or ministry can be a difficult decision for many pastors, church councils and congregations," says Division President Jacqueline Williams. "But in order to reach their audiences over the overwhelming noise of marketing, faith-based organizations need to employ consistent, well-branded messaging in the most effective and efficient means possible. It really comes down to meeting people where they are at, and using your marketing to tell them your story."

ABOUT FAITH-BASED PR & CONSULTING EXPERTS
Faith-Based PR & Consulting Experts is a professional services firm specializing in public relations, operational consulting, new ministry development, brand services, marketing strategy, event production, and crisis management for churches, ministries and other faith-based organizations. Our veteran staff has worked in a variety of roles in both religious, sports, entertainment and secular companies, providing guidance, building brands, and delivering ROI.

ABOUT THINKZILLA PR & CONSULTING GROUP
ThinkZILLA PR & Consulting Group is an award-winning firm providing professional public relations services & media campaigns, brand development, event production, and social media services. Our results are guaranteed and we deliver impressive, measurable ROI. The innovative and experienced team at ThinkZILLA proactively collaborates with our clients to cultivate media and business relationships, advancing client brand initiatives on a global scale.

THE EPIC JOURNEY (to 36 countries) releases in theaters in August.

'The Epic Journey' -- Film Team Traveled to 36 Countries to Find God

'The Epic Journey,' the new film by Tim Chey, releases in theaters this August after three years of filming in 36 countries. The tagline is '36 Countries. 25 Stories. 1 Amazing God.'

"We were suppose to be wrapped with this film two years ago," says Chey, "but the Lord kept impressing on me to wait and travel to even more countries to get more stories."

The movie has been submitted to the Guinness World Records for most countries ever traveled by a film crew.

The 3-year journey brought the film team to perilous adventures in the search for God's presence in each story.

"It was an incredible 3-year adventure that strengthened my faith and brought me to the heights of God's power in people's lives," says Chey. "I see the Lord's incredible hand in every story we covered."

The film documents amazing stories of people who found Christ in impossible situations. The film team traveled to Rio De Janeiro, Tokyo, Cairo, Jerusalem, Machu Picchu, Nairobi, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Rome, Lima, Buenos Aires, et al.

The incredible stories range from a multi-millionaire who found Christ in an insane asylum to a Yakuza gang member who found Christ in Tokyo.

"These are profound, tear-jerking stories that will shake the most hardened, cynical atheist," says Chey, who is also the co-host along with Annie Sims.

Chey also produced 'Freedom' (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) on the early life of John Newton that releases into theaters on June 3.

'The Epic Journey'
Co-Hosts: Annie Sims, Tim Chey
Director: Tim Chey

Official website: EpicJourneyMovie.com -- Watch the Trailer!

AUTHOR BOOT CAMP for published and unpublished authors at ICRS

Suspense author keynotes author seminar

Author Brandilyn Collins’s keynote session “A Stallion Named Betsy: When Expectations Fail,” will kick off Author Boot Camp, a seminar for published and aspiring authors, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 28, as part of the International Christian Retail Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

The free event includes a continental breakfast and two training tracks, one for aspiring authors and the other for published authors.

Collins has a heart for fellow authors and for seeing them fulfill the calling God has on their lives to use their creative gifts. With nearly 30 books in the market – most of them her trademark “Seatbelt Suspense” novels – she knows what authors go through to create their art. Her novels have won Carol Awards; an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award; Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice award; an Inspy, the bloggers’ award for excellence in faith-driven literature; and Christian Retailing’s Best Awards.

A panel of nine publishing experts will help unpublished writers learn the writing habits, marketing skills, and social media tools necessary to publish and market a book. A question and answer time with speakers follows sessions. Speakers include Somersault marketing strategist Cindy Lambert, Tyndale House Publishers President and CEO Mark Taylor and many more.

Panelists will address important questions and topics: great writing habits for aspiring writers, book marketing and the social network, what a literary agent actually does, and more. A portion of time will be allocated for questions and answers with panel speakers.

For published authors, marketing experts Larry Carpenter (Carpenter’s Son Publishing), Fred St Laurent (Book Club Network), Joni Baker (Buoyancy Public Relations), and Suzanne Kuhn (SuzyQ), and Scott Shuford (FrontGate Media) will teach writers skills needed to promote, market, and distribute their works to improve book sales.

For more information, visit www.ChristianRetailShow.com/AuthorBootCamp. Register for the free event at the door. Registration for the convention exhibit floor requires a fee.

Advanced Writers and Speakers 2015 Golden Scroll Award Finalists

AWSA Announces 2015 Golden Scroll Award Finalists AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) announces their finalists for the 2015 Golden Scroll Awards for Publisher, Editor, and Fiction Editor of the Year. The winners will be announced at the 2015 Golden Scroll Awards, a CBA sanctioned event, to be held Sunday, June 28th  from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Orlando, Florida. Honored for outstanding ministry partnerships with their authors, the Golden Scroll Publisher of the Year finalists are Discovery House, Focus on the Family Publishing, and New Hope Publishers.  Non-Fiction Editor of the Year finalists are Joyce Dinkins of New Hope Publishers, Peggy Hildebrand of Bridge Logos, Paul Muckley of Discovery House and Larry Weeden of Focus on the Family.  The Fiction Editor of the Year finalists are Dawn Anderson of Kregel Publications, Stephanie Broene of Tyndale House and Andrea Doering of Revell of Baker Publishing Group. Other awards to be presented at the Golden Scrolls Award and banquet will include AWSA Nonfiction and Novel Books of the Year awards.  In addition, the AWSA Member of the Year, the Beyond Me Award, as well as the prestigious 2015 Golden Scroll Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented at the Golden Scroll Awards Banquet. Chonda Pierce will be the keynote speaker with Thelma Wells as emcee. Authors Carol Kent and Linda Evans Shepherd will present awards. Chonda will also perform a parody written by Martha Bolton dedicated to editors and publishers. The Golden Scroll Awards and banquet is open to all authors, editors, publishers, agents, booksellers and other CBA industry professionals. Tickets are $49.99.  For more information or to register for the banquet, go to www.ScrollAwards.com. AWSA is an outreach of Right to the Heart Ministries and consists of over 400 top ICRS women authors who both publish and speak nationally. See www.AWSA.com.

CBA’s 2015 International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) opens June 28

2015 ICRS format changes mean focused time for keynotes, training, and exhibit floor

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – CBA’s 2015 International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) will have a later exhibit-floor start time. This unprecedented change is to allow the entire industry to attend three keynote sessions on topics with far-reaching consequences: religious liberty, engaging with the culture, and the future of Christian retail.

ICRS is June 28-July 1 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The new exhibit-floor hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 29-30, with exclusive floor hours 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. On Wednesday, July 1, the exhibit floor is open 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

The time reserved for the Monday and Tuesday keynote sessions is 8-9 a.m. followed by targeted breakout workshops, 9-10 a.m. Sunday’s keynote is 3-4 p.m. prior to the industry worship service, Worship Him!

“Because these issues are so important to our industry’s future, we want everyone to have   the opportunity to attend these sessions, hear the messages, and apply what they learn to their business or ministry,” said CBA President Curtis Riskey.

Pam Harrington of the Billy Graham Training Center (Asheville, NC), said, “Our industry is at a point where we need to come together. I understand why having new exhibit floor hours is necessary. I think it’s critical we be together as a group.”

The first general session, “Religious Liberty: Can You Be a Christian and in Business?” is 3-4 p.m., Sunday, June 28. Craig Parshall, special counsel for Jay Sekulow’s American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), will frame the discussion and moderate the follow-up panel dialog including Doug Napier, Alliance Defending Freedom’s senior counsel, executive VP, and chief alliance officer; and Daniel Blomberg, legal counsel for The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. 

“With local court decisions ruling against traditional Christian values, it’s more important than ever that Christian business owners keep informed about threats and what to do about them,” Riskey said.

“Engagement: Building Relationship Based on Truth” is 8 a.m. Monday, June 29, featuring keynote speaker Steve Green, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. president and founder of Museum of the Bible. Panelists include author and evangelist Josh McDowell (Barbour); Sue Smith, manager of Baker Book House (Grand Rapids, MI) and CBA board chairperson; and Bob Lenz, Life Promotions president.

“To have a positive influence on the culture for Christ, we need to understand how to engage the culture without compromising our convictions – even promoting them as viable life solutions,” Riskey said.

“Connecting the Future: Church, Store, and Digital Natives” is 8 a.m., Tuesday, June 30. Inspirational speaker and author Nick Vujicic (WaterBrook-Multnomah) will give a brief message, and Ed Stetzer, executive director of LifeWay Research, will frame the panelists’ conversation with new research on the church and young people. In addition to Vujicic, panelists include author and pastor Jarrid Wilson (Nelson Books), and third-generation retailer Zach Wallington of Christian Supply (Spartanburg,SC).

“Our mission to support the church and the Great Commission is directly tied to how the next generation is coming to Christ,” said Riskey. “Serving technology-enabled people requires a new mindset for everything we communicate.”

For information on 2015 ICRS, visit www.ChristianRetailShow.com.

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2015 Christian Book Award Winners from ECPA

ECPA Announces the 2015 Christian Book Award® Winners

The Daniel Plan is named as Christian Book of the Year™
The Hardest Peace shared with author Kara Tippetts days before her death
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus wins in two categories – first time in Award history

 

 

Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 5, 2015 -- The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced tonight the winners of the 2015 Christian Book Awards® and the 2015 Christian Book of the Year™ -- representing the best Christian book and Bible releases of the year in Non-Fiction, Fiction, Inspiration, Children’s, Bible Reference, Bibles, and New Author. The announcements were made at the ECPA Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the ECPA Leadership Summit hosted in Murfreesboro, Tenn. 

The highest honor of Christian Book of the Year™ went to The Daniel Plan by Pastor Rick Warren (with Daniel Amen M.D., and Mark Hyman M.D.).  The New York Times bestseller with a strong and regular presence on the ECPA Bestseller list, is described as “creating a health plan” that adds faith, focus, and community to the usual “food and exercise” approach to weight loss and health. The plan is credited for helping 15,000 of Warren's church members lose 250,000 pounds in the first year.  Warren is the author of The Purpose Driven Life, the highest bestselling non-fiction hardback in publishing history with more than 32 million copies sold.

THE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY ARE:

	Christian Book of the Year™  The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life Rick Warren, Daniel Amen and Mark Hyman Zondervan 9780310344292
	Non-Fiction  Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity Nabeel Qureshi Zondervan 9780310515029
	Fiction  The Advocate Randy Singer Tyndale House Publishers 9781414391304
	Inspiration  The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life’s Hard Kara Tippetts David C Cook 9780781412155
	Bibles  NIV First-Century Study Bible with notes by Kent Dobson Zondervan 9780310938903
	Bible Reference  1,2 and 3 John: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament Karen H. Jobes Zondervan 9780310244165
	Children  My Bible Animals Storybook Dandi Daley Mackall, Illustrated by Heather Heyworth Tyndale House Publishers 9781414383538
	New Author  Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity Nabeel Qureshi Zondervan 9780310515029

“The Christian Book Award® winners not only represent the best books in our industry, but in their variety they represent the transforming power of Christian content that impacts all of life,” explains ECPA President/CEO Mark Kuyper.  “Our industry continues to produce ‘Good Books that Feed the Soul’ for all ages, seasons, and interests.” 

Inspiration winner, The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life’s Hard by popular mom blogger Kara Tippetts was determined to be the winner just days before the author died from her battle with breast cancer.  The book is a memoir about Kara finding grace “in the midst of life’s hard” – the very hard experience of dying from cancer as a young woman, wife, and mother of four young children.  ECPA and Kara’s publisher David C Cook worked with Kara’s family to share the confidential news of the title’s win to Kara just days before she passed from this life, so that she would know of her enduring legacy of inspiration and help to others.

New author Nabeel Qureshi’s first published book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, won in both New Author and Non-Fiction categories – the first incident of a double-category win in Christian Book Award® history.

The evening’s news culminated in a “Thunderclap social media campaign” where the news was tweeted and posted to more than half a million accounts.  Industry publishers, companies, professionals and friends, signed up to allow the winning news to be posted to their account feeds through an ECPA awareness campaign called #ReadGoodBooks.

Christian Book Award® program winners also receive recognition and support throughout multiple retail and media outlets, including Christianity Today, ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury, Family Christian, LifeWay, Mardel, Munce Group, Parable Christian Stores, Innovative/Signature Websites, NetGalley, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.  Christianity Today will continue their partnership with the program through ad campaigns in their digital and print publications, May through December of this year. 

To view the finalists and winners, and learn more, visit www.ChristianBookAwards.com or www.ChristianBookExpo.com.

The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the absolute highest quality in Christian books since 1978. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Award® program is the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in the religious publishing industry.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization, comprised of nearly 200 member companies worldwide, representing a combined revenue of nearly $1.4 billion. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building Networking, Information, and Advocacy opportunities within the industry and across multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. For more information about ECPA: 480-966-3998, info@ecpa.org, www.ecpa.org.

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