Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. - Psalm 47:1
Inspired
New York Times Best-Selling Books
HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent
- #1 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, the e-Book nonfiction list, and on the paperback nonfiction list;
- #3 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #12 on the hardcover nonfiction list
THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman
- #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list
HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS by Todd and Sonja Burpo.
- #2 on the children's picture book list
CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski
- #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list
SEXPERIMENT by Ed and Lisa Young
- #3 on the hardcover advice & misc. list
THROUGH MY EYES by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker
- #4 on the hardcover nonfiction list, and on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list;
- #11 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list;
- #8 on the e-Book nonfiction list
RADICAL by David Platt
- #7 on the paperback advice & misc. list
THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn
- #9 on the paperback trade fiction list;
- #23 on the combined hardcover & paperback fiction list
ONE THOUSAND GIFTS by Ann Voskamp
- #9 on the hardcover advice & misc. list
ENTRELEADERSHIP by Dave Ramsey
- #9 on the monthly hardcover business list;
- #12 on the hardcover advice & misc. list
THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough
- #10 on the paperback advice & misc. list
FORGOTTEN GOD by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski
- #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list
HOW DO YOU KILL 11 MILLION PEOPLE? by Andy Andrews
- #12 on the hardcover advice & misc. list
TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey
- #12 on the monthly hardcover business list
EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen
- #13 on the hardcover advice & misc. list
AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
- #21 on the e-Book nonfiction list;
- #28 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list
DECEMBER 1941 by Craig Shirley
- #23 on the hardcover nonfiction list
THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey
- #34 on the paperback nonfiction list
HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent
- #3 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #12 on the hardcover nonfiction list
THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman
- #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list
HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS by Todd and Sonja Burpo.
- #2 on the children's picture book list
CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski
- #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list
SEXPERIMENT by Ed and Lisa Young
THROUGH MY EYES by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker
- #4 on the hardcover nonfiction list, and on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list;
- #11 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list;
- #8 on the e-Book nonfiction list
RADICAL by David Platt
- #7 on the paperback advice & misc. list
THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn
- #9 on the paperback trade fiction list;
- #23 on the combined hardcover & paperback fiction list
ONE THOUSAND GIFTS by Ann Voskamp
- #9 on the hardcover advice & misc. list
ENTRELEADERSHIP by Dave Ramsey
- #9 on the monthly hardcover business list;
- #12 on the hardcover advice & misc. list
THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough
- #10 on the paperback advice & misc. list
FORGOTTEN GOD by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski
- #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list
HOW DO YOU KILL 11 MILLION PEOPLE? by Andy Andrews
- #12 on the hardcover advice & misc. list
TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey
- #12 on the monthly hardcover business list
EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen
- #13 on the hardcover advice & misc. list
AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
- #21 on the e-Book nonfiction list;
- #28 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list
DECEMBER 1941 by Craig Shirley
THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey
- #34 on the paperback nonfiction list
'THE VOW' INSPIRES MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
True Love Story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter
The Vow—Kim and Krickitt Carpenter’s (in left photo insert) amazing, true story of memory lost and love found . . . again—debuts Feb.10, 2012, in an updated and expanded version. The book has also inspired an upcoming major motion picture starring Rachel McAdams (THE NOTEBOOK) and Channing Tatum (DEAR JOHN).
“This is a love story,” Kim said. “But it’s also a story about hope, commitment and doing the things you said you would do.”
The Vow traces actual events from the 1990s, when Kim and Krickitt met,
fell in love and married. Just 10 weeks later, the couple survived a terrible car wreck with Krickitt awakening in the hospital married to a stranger. The accident had claimed 18 months of Krickitt’s memories, including all recollection of Kim.
With Kim committed to his marriage vows and Krickitt maintaining her strong Christian faith even if recent memories were gone, the couple began the long road to a rebuilt relationship, with a second wedding ceremony and renewal of their vows almost three years later. It gave new meaning to the words “in sickness and in health.”
“You make a promise before God with your wedding vows,” Krickitt said. “You have to take that seriously.”
The Carpenter’s story generated international interest at the time and resulted in the initial release of their book. Now reissued with an additional chapter and new 16-page photo insert, it tells the true and more complete story than the film it inspired.
The Vow hits store shelves and the movie hits the big screen on Feb. 10.
Can an Unbeliever Be a Part of Your Praise & Worship Program?
by: Darin Brown
As a worship leader, you should contemplate the question of whether or not an unbeliever might be a part of your worship program. I'm typically asked this question when there are few team members obtainable for the worship program, and a person who isn't a Christian is a very proficient [singer or musician]. You probably have a large church with many proficient musicians. If so, then the question could not have an effect on you as much. But if your team is small, and a very gifted musician or singer is in the wings, are you able to willingly accept them into your [praise & worship] program with a clear conscience?
What is the Worship Program Really About?
When considering your team, it's essential to cease for a second and ask your self what the worship program is all about. Is it about having an important sound, or being professional or rocking the congregation’s socks off? Or is it about leading your church family right into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the Lord?
I might counsel to you that the worship program must be about leading people to God in worship. Certainly, we want to be professional and to play and sing to a high and exquisite standard, but I might suggest that these are secondary concerns in your worship program. A worship program is a spiritual occasion, not a live performance, so the concept a non-believer can be part of your team is unquestionably out of phase with the goals of your worship program team.
Who Qualifies Somebody to Take Half in the Worship Program?
In groups that I've lead, one of many core requirements of members is that they know Jesus and have a relationship with Him. Non-believers can undoubtedly play effectively, sing well, and doubtless perform properly, however they haven't any idea of the very central concept of the worship program: nearer communion with the Lord. Yes, we wish [the music] played and sung brilliantly, however, we do not want to compromise the spirit of our worship program simply to sound a bit better.
One of the first worship teams I assembled featured an excellent drummer who was not a Christian, but who proved to be a demanding and slightly aggressive team member. We had a backup drummer who was relegated to percussion, and who was just happy to be a part of the worship program. When the unbelieving drummer didn’t trouble to show up twice, I appointed the Christian guy. He could not play as properly, however he had an amazing spirit and understood what humility and serving within the worship program was all about.
Can the Worship Program Be an Instrument To Reach Team Members?
In most fashionable churches, the pressure is on worship leaders to sound great and act professional (and this implies accepting talented people whose lives are not proper with the Lord). I believe leaders have to make a stand in their worship program. I have heard of non-believers becoming Christians due to their involvement within the worship band, but I don't really feel that that is the way we should be operating. Why not lead them to the Lord first, then introduce them to the entire idea of worship, both personal and corporate?
Using worship team involvement to win a proficient unbeliever to Christ is a bit like marrying an unbeliever to witness to them and lead them to Christ. It's the wrong way! It's troublesome to seize a true spirit of worship when the members within your worship program is unequally yoked!
So, worship leaders and pastors, let us make a stand for what is right and ensure our worship [teams] are focused on the true activity of leading folks to Christ. We must worship in Spirit and in reality, not simply have skilled music and presentation. Don’t permit your worship program to be held to ransom by talented non-believers.
About The Author
Darin Browne is an internationally known Praise and Worship leader who has been leading worship for over 20 years in a variety of churches across most denominations in many countries around the world. He has produced an incredible online training package, guaranteed to teach you how to lead powerful and effective worship in your church.
True Love Story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter
The Vow—Kim and Krickitt Carpenter’s (in left photo insert) amazing, true story of memory lost and love found . . . again—debuts Feb.10, 2012, in an updated and expanded version. The book has also inspired an upcoming major motion picture starring Rachel McAdams (THE NOTEBOOK) and Channing Tatum (DEAR JOHN).“This is a love story,” Kim said. “But it’s also a story about hope, commitment and doing the things you said you would do.”
The Vow traces actual events from the 1990s, when Kim and Krickitt met,
fell in love and married. Just 10 weeks later, the couple survived a terrible car wreck with Krickitt awakening in the hospital married to a stranger. The accident had claimed 18 months of Krickitt’s memories, including all recollection of Kim.With Kim committed to his marriage vows and Krickitt maintaining her strong Christian faith even if recent memories were gone, the couple began the long road to a rebuilt relationship, with a second wedding ceremony and renewal of their vows almost three years later. It gave new meaning to the words “in sickness and in health.”
“You make a promise before God with your wedding vows,” Krickitt said. “You have to take that seriously.”
The Carpenter’s story generated international interest at the time and resulted in the initial release of their book. Now reissued with an additional chapter and new 16-page photo insert, it tells the true and more complete story than the film it inspired.
The Vow hits store shelves and the movie hits the big screen on Feb. 10.
______________________________________
Can an Unbeliever Be a Part of Your Praise & Worship Program?
by: Darin Brown
As a worship leader, you should contemplate the question of whether or not an unbeliever might be a part of your worship program. I'm typically asked this question when there are few team members obtainable for the worship program, and a person who isn't a Christian is a very proficient [singer or musician]. You probably have a large church with many proficient musicians. If so, then the question could not have an effect on you as much. But if your team is small, and a very gifted musician or singer is in the wings, are you able to willingly accept them into your [praise & worship] program with a clear conscience?What is the Worship Program Really About?
When considering your team, it's essential to cease for a second and ask your self what the worship program is all about. Is it about having an important sound, or being professional or rocking the congregation’s socks off? Or is it about leading your church family right into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the Lord?
I might counsel to you that the worship program must be about leading people to God in worship. Certainly, we want to be professional and to play and sing to a high and exquisite standard, but I might suggest that these are secondary concerns in your worship program. A worship program is a spiritual occasion, not a live performance, so the concept a non-believer can be part of your team is unquestionably out of phase with the goals of your worship program team.
Who Qualifies Somebody to Take Half in the Worship Program?
In groups that I've lead, one of many core requirements of members is that they know Jesus and have a relationship with Him. Non-believers can undoubtedly play effectively, sing well, and doubtless perform properly, however they haven't any idea of the very central concept of the worship program: nearer communion with the Lord. Yes, we wish [the music] played and sung brilliantly, however, we do not want to compromise the spirit of our worship program simply to sound a bit better.
One of the first worship teams I assembled featured an excellent drummer who was not a Christian, but who proved to be a demanding and slightly aggressive team member. We had a backup drummer who was relegated to percussion, and who was just happy to be a part of the worship program. When the unbelieving drummer didn’t trouble to show up twice, I appointed the Christian guy. He could not play as properly, however he had an amazing spirit and understood what humility and serving within the worship program was all about.
Can the Worship Program Be an Instrument To Reach Team Members?
In most fashionable churches, the pressure is on worship leaders to sound great and act professional (and this implies accepting talented people whose lives are not proper with the Lord). I believe leaders have to make a stand in their worship program. I have heard of non-believers becoming Christians due to their involvement within the worship band, but I don't really feel that that is the way we should be operating. Why not lead them to the Lord first, then introduce them to the entire idea of worship, both personal and corporate?
Using worship team involvement to win a proficient unbeliever to Christ is a bit like marrying an unbeliever to witness to them and lead them to Christ. It's the wrong way! It's troublesome to seize a true spirit of worship when the members within your worship program is unequally yoked!
So, worship leaders and pastors, let us make a stand for what is right and ensure our worship [teams] are focused on the true activity of leading folks to Christ. We must worship in Spirit and in reality, not simply have skilled music and presentation. Don’t permit your worship program to be held to ransom by talented non-believers.
About The Author
Darin Browne is an internationally known Praise and Worship leader who has been leading worship for over 20 years in a variety of churches across most denominations in many countries around the world. He has produced an incredible online training package, guaranteed to teach you how to lead powerful and effective worship in your church.
