Saturday, 1/4 – Start 2014 with A Call to Hear God’s Voice

How well do you feel like you can hear God’s voice?

Do you struggle to discern between His voice and your own?

Scripture says, “My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27)… What do you think about that?

These are some questions I hope you’ll ponder with me as we start the New Year together. My first guest of 2014 is long time author/editor friend Judy Gordon Morrow. We first met when she was an editor for Multnomah Publishers and have served on faculty at writers’ conferences over the years.

She has an incredible story of God meeting her in the middle of life’s devastation…and a rich and meaningful devotional to comfort you with the same deep comfort Jesus sent her way.

More. Life is full to overflowing, but we crave an illusive more. Via social networking, airwaves, and TV, our culture tells us to strive for more stuff, more activities, more adventure—you name it. Yet we are often left unfulfilled and wanting. Empty, even. With so many demands for our attention, it is difficult to quiet our minds long enough to hear the still, small voice of our loving Father, and to listen to the One who desires to bring us so much more than the noise of everyday life.

Judy Gordon Morrow discovered the more when her world was turned upside down and she knelt before God to seek Him and ask for His help. More than a decade ago, in tear-stained notebooks, she began to pen God’s responses to her desperate prayers. Now, in The Listening Heart, Judy invites you to spend a year hearing from the God Who Speaks—the God who wants to speak to you. Each daily devotion echoes the Father’s love and care for you, offering hope, comfort, encouragement and more—a rich closeness with God that will satisfy the longings of your heart.

Judy Gordon Morrow is a lifelong lover of words and has published poetry, articles, song lyrics, and devotionals. Her first book dealt with pregnancy loss, followed by nine gift books. In her prior “word-lover jobs,” she served as a school librarian, newspaper copyeditor, and nonfiction editor at Multnomah Publishers. She speaks at events for women and writers, sharing her passion for the Word and words.

Join us this Saturday, 1/4 at 11AM CST on AM 630 KSLR or streaming live on www.kslr.com. We’ll be giving away 3 copies of The Listening Heart and we’ll even open up the phone lines and Facebook page to discuss the challenges of hearing God’s voice. Afterwards, I’ll head over to El Jarro’s to continue the conversation off the air…hope to see you there!

Recap / Podcast 12/28 – Bestselling Novelists on their latest Non-Fiction books, Lynn Austin and Cynthia Ruchti

Here’s the podcast in case you missed the show…it’s in two parts.

What an awesome time with Lynn Austin and Cynthia Ruchti. I originally did these interviews in June of 2013 when I attended the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) … I was in a little 10 x 10 curtained off area in the middle of a bunch of other media folks doing interviews, so that explains the background noise!! ICRS is a huge industry event for Christian publishers of books, music, and….hmmmm….I used to call it Jesus Junk….but you know, gifts, apparel, jewelry, bumper stickers, mints, and who knows what else!

Just a few hours after interviewing Lynn Austin, I attended the Christy Awards and watched as she was inducted into the Christy Awards Hall of Fame, as 16 out of 18 of her historical fiction titles had won Christy Awards. I especially loved her transparency about getting to a place in her Christian life where she felt stagnant, and how Jesus met her in the desert.  She really is a picture of serene grace…love her spirit! More about her at www.lynnaustin.org.

With Lynn Austin at ICRS   and with Cynthia Rutchi at the ACFW Conference

And then my time with Cynthia was just so good. I have always been encouraged by this woman of God, and this interview was no different. Such profound wisdom to help us all address the extreme challenges we face due to the bad choices of others…and even if we’re not facing such hardship, chances are we know someone who is who we can reach out to and comfort with what we learn from Cynthia! More about her ministry at www.hopethatglowsinthedark.com.

This Saturday 12/28 – Lynn Austin on Finding God in the Desert & Cynthia Ruchti on Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Bad Choices

I am so excited to introduce you to my last two guests of 2013. They are both amazingly talented novelists, and both are sharing powerful non-fiction works.  I’ve had the privilege of serving on the faculty of the Write to Publish Conference at Wheaton Bible College with both of these gracious ladies. You will be encouraged by both their stories! We’ll be giving away 2 copies of each title, so be sure to listen and call in!

An Intimate Look at a Bestselling Novelist’s Journey to Deeper Faith

Pilgrimage
by Lynn Austin

As in her popular biblical series,
Chronicles of the Kings,
Austin brings the ancient Promised Land to life in Pilgrimage, her first nonfiction book.

“The opportunity to tour Israel came at a good time. For months my life has been a mindless plodding through necessary routine, as monotonous as an all-night shift on an assembly line. Life gets that way sometimes, when nothing specific is wrong but the world around us seems drained of color. Even my weekly worship experiences and daily quiet times with God have felt dry and stale. I’m ashamed to confess the malaise I’ve felt. I have been given so much. Shouldn’t a Christian’s life be an abundant one, as exciting as Christmas morning, as joyful as Easter Sunday?”

With gripping honesty, beloved author Lynn Austin shares an intimate look at her personal struggle with spiritual dryness in this deeply moving story of her search for renewal in the Holy Land. As she journeys throughout Israel, Austin turns to Scripture at each site she visits. Then with a fiction writer’s eye for detail, she seamlessly weaves personal events and insights from the Word as she finds hope, renewed faith, and a sense of direction for the future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn’s latest novel is Return to Me, Book 1 in the RESTORATION CHRONICLES series. Her passions include reading, history and archaeology. She has visited Israel numerous times and once took part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. She has been featured in many media outlets, including USAToday.com, The Chicago Tribune, Publishers Weekly, and World magazine. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois. Learn more at LynnAustin.org.

Read an excerpt:
http://tinyurl.com/pzt3vdy

Pilgrimage: My Journey to a Deeper Faith in the Land Where Jesus Walked by Lynn Austin
Trade Paper ISBN: 978-0-7642-1118-8; $14.99; 240 pp.
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-4412-6219-6; $14.99
Available: November 1, 2013

Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Choices
Cynthia Ruchti Encourages Readers to Cling to Hope, No Matter How Ragged it May Be

It’s one thing to live with the consequences of your own actions. It’s quite another to live with the outcome of someone else’s choices. Regardless of what has happened in your life, there is hope. In Ragged Hope: Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Choices (Abingdon Press/July 1, 2013/ISBN: 978-1426751172/$15.99), Cynthia Ruchti offers an inspirational look into the lives of those who were dramatically affected by wrong or misguided choices, sins, offenses and crimes others committed.

Where is God when you are doing everything right yet, because of someone else’s actions, everything is wrong? Where do we find hope when it’s clouded by the ashes of other people’s choices? Ragged Hope is an insightful and hope-giving guide offering readers comfort and support, as well as encouraging them through whatever situation they may face, including the aftereffects of divorce, disease, drugs, drunk drivers, death, downsizing, disasters and bad decisions.

Ruchti, who has walked this road herself, assures readers that God is ever-present and offers unwavering love. There is hope, grace and a future in every circumstance—even (and especially) for those we did not cause but now live through. “How ragged is the hope you’re clutching? It’s no less valuable or essential than it was when it was new,” writes Ruchti. “Hope—true hope—is indestructible. It can be battered, but not extinguished.”

Ragged Hope’s dedication reads: “To the wounded, the worn, the wondering, and to those who let us see their scars so others can discover Hope’s hideout.” The book was written for survivors and for those who care about, counsel or long to make a difference in their lives. Vetted by professional counselors and caregivers, this is the one guide everyone needs to thrive, no matter what situation they may be facing.

After each of the 26 stories shared in the book, Ruchti includes reflection questions as well as prompts so readers can consider how to reach out to the survivors they know. Each chapter also ends with a scripture, offering hope and encouragement that God is with us, no matter what.

Other people’s choices don’t always have a life-changing effect on us, sometimes they’re merely annoying or mildly disturbing in the short-term. It doesn’t mean we don’t need grace to cope with their negative consequences. Ruchti gives readers perspective in these cases as well, interjecting humor as a relief valve when appropriate.

“When we stand in a muddle of misery someone else created for us, too weary to be creative, too worn down to embrace a trendy problem-solving technique or follow a seven-step plan to a new, improved life, we need an arm around our shoulder assuring us God hears, God understands, and He is not stingy with Hope.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, nonfiction projects, speaking events and a history of 33 years of on-air storytelling through The Heartbeat of the Home radio broadcast. www.hopethatglowsinthedark.com

Her books have been recognized by Retailers’ Choice, RT Reviewers’ Choice, Family Fiction Readers’ Choice, ACFW’s Carol Award nomination, and other honors. In addition to Ruchti’s four previously released books, her novel When the Morning Glory Blooms (Abingdon Press Fiction) released in April 2013, followed by Ragged Hope, her second non-fiction release in July. Ruchti has also written articles for numerous magazines and industry publications and currently serves as Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers.

Ruchti lives in Wisconsin where she spends her days diving into words, worship and wonder. It is her delight to serve on her church’s worship team and creative arts team. One of her greatest joys is helping other writers grow in their craft. Cynthia and her husband have been married for 40-plus years and have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Don’t miss the last Always Faithful Radio show of the year! 11 AM CST this Saturday, December 28 on AM 630 KSLR or streaming live on www.kslr.com or www.iheartradio.com…and I will NOT be at El Jarro’s afterwards as the show has been pre-recorded and I’m out of town for the holidays!

Recap / Podcast 12/21- Rachel Hauck & James L. Rubart

Here’s the podcast in case you missed the show today! (sorry, it’s in 2 pieces, part 1 is Rachel and part 2 is James)

I just loved this show…Rachel and James are some of my all time favorite authors and people…and I just loved how as they shared their hearts the things they shared connected with different conversations we’ve been having recently on Always Faithful. How faithful our God is!

Be sure to visit Rachel at www.rachelhauck.com and if you didn’t win a copy of her book today, be sure to pick up a copy of Once Upon a Prince. You’ll love the story!

 

Rachel Hauck & I at the Florida Christian Writers     James & I at the International Christian Retail Show

Visit James at www.jameslrubart.com and be sure to get your hands on a copy of his latest book, Memory’s Door, as well. It’s awesome! And if you didn’t hear the show, be sure to take a listen…I love his water bottle analogy! Powerful!!!

This Saturday 12/21 – More Amazing Bestselling Novelists Rachel Hauck & James L. Rubart

I can’t tell you how excited I am to introduce you to my two wonderful friends, Rachel Hauck and James L. Rubart. Both are award winning novelists with an amazing depth of spiritual insight to share with you all (or should I say “ya’ll”???). These are both interviews I did with them at the Christian Booksellers Association annual bookseller’s event called the International Christian Retail Show, and I’ll be sharing them with you this Saturday.

God’s Plans for Your Life are Grander Than Your Own

Rachel Hauck’s Once Upon a Prince Shows What God Can Do When You Leave Your Heart Open

Every little girl dreams of being a princess. Every woman longs to be treated like royalty. We’re all just a little bit fascinated by royal weddings and the princess that lives in every woman. That’s why readers will fall in love with Once Upon a Prince (Zondervan/ISBN 978-0310315476/$14.99), the first release in the Royal Wedding Series by award-winning author Rachel Hauck.

This is classic romance at its very best.  ~ Debbie Macomber, New York Times bestselling author

Hauck spins a surprisingly believable royal-meets-commoner love story. Facing political scheming and seemingly immovable royal traditions, the couple discovers that their happily-ever-after will require courage and faith not found in fairy tales. Well-developed secondary characters are entertaining in their own right, adding a quirky touch (as do cameo-style appearances by real-life royals). Hauck fans will find a gem of a tale. ~ Publishers Weekly starred review

Hauck’s modern-day fairy tale will bring a smile to readers’ faces. Fans of the Princess Diaries series will love this ‘ordinary girl meets prince’ story!  ~ Romantic Times Book Reviews

Once Upon a Prince is a modern fairy tale that’s a delightful page-turner full of fun, faith, and barbeque. ~ CBA Retailers + Resources

Is it possible to completely throw off the chains of deepest regret?

James L. Rubart continues the gripping supernatural battle for freedom in Memory’s Door 

James L. Rubart takes readers deeper into the world he began with Soul’s Gate in Memory’s Door (Thomas Nelson/ISBN: 978-1-4016-8607-9/$15.99), the second book in the Well Spring series. It’s a world where the supernatural is as common today as it was in New Testament times, a world of good and evil, supernatural battles and supernatural freedom. Although Rubart’s characters are fictional, the kinds of battles they face are not. “When we can finally admit we’re not living this life in the garden, and that instead, we’re caught in a world in the midst of an epic battle, our lives will start to make a whole lot more sense,” Rubart explains.

“We might not face as epic a battle as the Warriors in my novels face, but there is an evil in this world out to destroy us, our families and our friends. We have to face that every day and it affects us whether we want to admit it exists or not,” Rubart continues “And if we realize we have been given the power to fight against that evil well and help others battle well, our lives will change — we will hope, we will believe, we will live in more freedom than we thought possible.”

Readers with high blood pressure or heart conditions be warned: this is a seriously heart-thumping and satisfying read that goes to the edge, jumps off, and “builds wings on the way down. ~Publishers Weekly review of Soul’s Gate

Rubart’s novel is enthralling and superlative. Truly a story about freedom from things that we hold onto, this tale will captivate readers and encourage a more active, dynamic spiritual life. The original plot and well-drawn characters elevate this book to ‘must read’ status. ~RT Book Reviews Top Pick with a 4.5-star review Weekly review of Soul’s Gate

LISTEN SATURDAY AT 11AM CST ON AM 630 KSLR OR STREAMING LIVE ON WWW.KSLR.COM. THE SHOW WILL BE PRE-RECORDED SO I WON’T BE GOING TO EL JARRO’S AFTERWARDS!

Recap / Podcast 12/14 – Trio of Bestselling Novelists

In case you didn’t hear today’s show, here’s the podcast!

A great time of sharing these interviews from the International Christian Retail Show. Gave away 4 books and had a wonderful time of sharing these ladies with you all!

Athena and Karen Kingsbury

Saturday 12/14 A Trio of NY Times Bestselling Novelists, Lauraine Snelling, Terri Blackstock & Karen Kingsbury!

I am so excited to introduce you to my author friends, Lauraine Snelling, Terri Blackstock, and Karen Kingsbury! Get a glimpse into their lives and how God has been faithful…hear how they use the craft of fiction writing to draw readers to Jesus, and how they weave their own passions and experiences into their stories. You won’t want to miss this show!

Lauraine Snelling is a prolific author with over 2 million books sold in her career and consistently appears on the CBA bestseller list. She received The Golden Heart award for Song of Laughter from Romance Writers of America and a Silver Angel award for An Untamed Land. Publishers Weekly said it best, “Snelling can certainly charm.” Website: http://laurainesnelling.com

Terri Blackstock has sold six million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestseller. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Follow Terri Blackstock online: Website: www.terriblackstock.com; Twitter: @terriblackstock; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tblackstock.

Karen Kingsbury is America’s favorite inspirational novelist. There are more than 25 million copies of her award-winning books in print, including several million copies sold in the past year. Karen’s recent dozen titles have all debuted at or near the top of the New York Times Bestseller’s list. She is also a public speaker, reaching more than 100,000 women annually through various national events. For more information visit www.karenkingsbury.com. Karen is also on Facebook and Twitter, where she regularly interacts with nearly half a million reader friends.

Saturday, 12/14 from 11AM to Noon CST on AM 630 KSLR or streaming live on http://www.kslr.com.

Hope to see you then!

Recap / Podcast 12/7 – Nancy Alcorn & Stephen Arterburn

In case you missed the show today, here’s the podcast to listen to!

These two interviews were so powerful…I loved the transparency of both of my guests. First Nancy Alcorn highlighted her new book, Mission of Mercy, and then shared her journey through getting counseling, even as a well known leader in the Christian community, and her challenge to leaders to have the courage to deal with their issues before their issues deal with them. And then Stephen Arterburn shared some very shameful times in his life that led to the writing his most recent book, The 7 Minute Marriage Solution.

I love how God orchestrates the timing He does, just to emphasize a point! Last week I had Hospice Chaplain Gary Roe on, and we talked about grieving over the holidays, and the importance of grieving well rather than running from the pain by stuffing it…and here I’m scheduled to play an interview I did 6 months ago, and low and behold, one of the main topics Nancy discusses is the unhealthy way her family dealt with the death of her baby sister. Love it! God is so faithful!!

Saturday 12/7 – Nancy Alcorn on The Why Behind Our What & Stephen Arterburn on The 7 Minute Marriage Solution

During the month of December, I am going to spend some extra time in prayer to find out how the Lord wants me to fine-tune the Always Faithful format. That means instead of doing a lot of live interviews I’m going to change it up a bit. I’ll still be in studio during each Saturday (Lord willing) but I felt this was a great time to catch up on sharing some more of the incredible interviews I was privileged to do at the International Christian Retail Show in June of this year.

This Saturday, December 7, I’ll share the time I spent with Nancy Alcorn & Stephen Arterburn. Nancy is the founder and president of Mercy Ministries, an international ministry that helps young women with life controlling issues. She will share about her recent release, “Mission of Mercy” and her own personal journey that led her into the ministry work she does.

“I never thought I’d share so many personal details of my life story and private trials…but it was time. Everyone has a ‘why’ behind their ‘what.’ Even me!” – Nancy Alcorn

That statement from Nancy encapsulates her message on this interview…a great encouragement to all in the ministry and leadership to take the time to deal with your pain before it deals with you.

“‘Mission of Mercy’ is a powerful message of hope and healing – the kind that can be found through freedom in Christ. This book will show you that people don’t just wake up one day all messed up…there is a reason people are broken and if we can get to the root of that reason, they can find hope.” – Dave Ramsey, New York Times Best-selling Author and Nationally Syndicated Radio Host

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the heart of God, or how to make a lasting impact on the lives of others, this book is a must-read. Illustrated by the touching, inspiring testimonies of real women – including Nancy’s own story – “Mission of Mercy” demonstrates how to move from a place of judgment to compassion that leads to action.

When asked about her favorite part of writing the book, Nancy responded, “I was excited to represent the heart of God the way He is, not the judgmental way He’s sometimes portrayed. This is so important because the only way we can have lasting impact on the lives of others is to see people the way God sees and love the way He loves.”

Then during the second half of the show, Stephen Arterburn will share some of the dark valleys he walked through that led him to write his newest book “The 7 Minute Marriage Solution”.

National Marriage Survey IDs Seven Most Harmful and Helpful Marital Behaviors

NEW BOOK reveals survey findings and offers a “7-Minute Solution” for marital discord

“You don’t have to be walking out the door and toward divorce to utilize this plan. The 7 Minute Marriage Solution will take a pretty good marriage to an even greater level of satisfaction.” –Stephen Arterburn

Nashville, Tenn., May 15, 2013–Bestselling author, counselor and syndicated radio host Stephen Arterburn says marriage can be easier than most couples think by uprooting the 7 most harmful behaviors and replacing them with the 7 most helpful ones. After conducting a national survey of over two-thousand married and formerly-married individuals, Arterburn shares the 7 most commonly-cited “harmful behaviors” within a marriage relationship, the 7 most “helpful” ones, and how to implement lasting changes in his new book, “The 7- Minute Marriage Solution: 7 Things to Stop! 7 Things to Start! 7 Minutes that Matter Most! “(May 2013, Worthy Publishing).

Arterburn says, “Yes, we all have issues with our mates, but overall, we make marriage ridiculously harder than it has to be. If we’re honest with ourselves, we all know the self-defeating things we do and the thoughtless things we fail to do every day.” Behaviors that made the list of harmful things include using put-down humor, trying to change their partner, secretly spending money, nagging, using the silent treatment, and holding grudges. The behaviors Arterburn urges couples to start include managing money responsibly, focusing on fun and joy, and respecting their mate.

In “The 7-Minute Marriage Solution,” Arterburn emphasizes ending the bad behaviors, beginning the healthy ones, and most of all, experiencing the best 7-minutes of your marriage together daily using his proven methods. In the book, Arterburn reveals that part of the formula for a better marriage is to incorporate reading the Bible and praying together.

A 30-day challenge to a stronger marriage is available on the New Life website, http://newlife.com/7-minute-marriage-solution-30-day-challenge, adapted from the companion Bible publishing in Fall 2013 titled The 7-Minute Marriage Devotional Bible. Incorporating sound advice from renowned Christian relationship experts including Henry Cloud, John Townsend, Les and Leslie Parrott, James Dobson, and others, the Bible is the perfect resource to use in tandem with The 7-Minute Marriage Solution, available now.

Stephen Arterburn is an award-winning author with over 8 million books in print, including the bestsellers Every Man’s Battle and Healing Is a Choice. He has also been editor of 10 Bible projects, including the Life Recovery Bible. Steve founded New Life Treatment Centers in 1988 and is currently host of the radio and television show “New Life Live.” In 1996 he started the most successful traveling conference, Women of Faith – attended by over 4 million women. He and his wife live with their 5 kids in Fishers, Indiana, where he is the pastor at Heartland Church.

So….join me this Saturday, December 7 at 11AM CST on AM 630KSLR or streaming live on www.kslr.com. And even though I won’t have an in studio guest, I’ll still be heading off to El Jarro’s for lunch, and would love to have you join me!