Tag Archives: christian press releases

making sense of faith

New book helps Christians pause, reflect on why they believe what they believe

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FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Have you ever idly watched the scenery slip away past the carriage windows and then suddenly wondered whether you got on the right train? Are you heading where you want to go in your life?

Author John West, a minister of religion and part-time lecturer, has. Not only that, he has written a book to help Christians to… well, make sense of their faith. In Making Sense of Faith, John asks himself why he still believes he is on the right train, as he examines the evidence for his Christian faith after a lifetime of believing in Jesus. It’s an important reflection at a time when Christianity is increasingly coming under attack from various quarters.

The book is short and readable and has something for everyone: for the Christian seeking affirmation, for the seeker who wants more information and even for those who oppose Christianity, but want to be more informed:-

For those who enjoy personal stories, John West’s close encounters in the chapter, Making Sense of Experience will move and fascinate.

For scientific minds, Making Sense of the Universe, offers some interaction with atheist Lawrence Krauss and wonders at the chances of life existing at all.

Making Sense of the Bible presents the evidence for its reliability and authority in a western world that challenges the whole idea, from outside as well as within the Christian church.

Making Sense of Ethical Behaviour includes new atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris and questions their ability to introduce any meaningful values to society.

For the increasing number of people who believe that Christianity has had a negative influence on world history, It Makes Sense Because It Works offers some correctives to that point of view.

Finally, the author addresses some of the challenges that people bring to Christianity, the greatest being the perceived absence of God, especially in the face of suffering.

Making Sense of Faith will challenge, encourage and further equip you in thinking about the place of Christianity in your life and in the world.

John has recorded a number of talks on YouTube (search: rev.john.west) and has a blog and resource website, including mp3 talks and free Bible study material at https://johnwest.org.

Making Sense of Faith, published by Ark House, is now available globally.

New book from Redemption Press offers purpose during trying times

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FAITH NEWS SERVICE – According to a March 2020 poll from the American Psychiatric Association, more than one-third of Americans (36%) say coronavirus is having a serious impact on their mental health and most (59%) feel coronavirus is having a serious impact on their day-to-day lives.* With this new reality upending life as we know it and anxieties running high, many are searching for purpose and hope during these unprecedented times.

In Elaine Herman’s new thirty-day devotional book, Bloom! Serving God Where He Has Planted You, readers will discover how the timing of their birth, their personality, and their talents fit into His plan, and they’ll be inspired and equipped to start serving Him—right where they are. She demonstrates how God can use the trials of life for good and offers the encouraging message that God’s plans and purposes prevail. In an era of social-distancing, Hersman’s message of serving God from where you’re at also offers timely applications.

“God doesn’t need everyone to be a missionary, a pastor, a ministry leader, or a full-time ministry worker,” Hersman says. “He needs most of us to be ministering to the people we interact with during our day-to-day lives.” Even if that now means video conference calls with friends, kids at home, or fellow essential workers. Hersman encourages readers to seek out the ministry opportunities all around them, employing their unique talents and personalities to participate in God’s plan.

“God needs His people to be the light in a dark world,” Hersman says. “Let people see Jesus shining through you. We are all faced with choices every day in how we treat those around us. What we say and how we react to what others say and do is important. The more we rely on the Spirit to help us be like Jesus in those moments, the more beautifully we will bloom.”

*https://www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/new-poll-covid-19-impacting-mental-well-being-americans-feeling-anxious-especially-for-loved-ones-older-adults-are-less-anxious

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elaine Hersman is a nature lover, which led her to the garden theme in her debut book, Bloom: Serving Where God Has Planted You. Her fulfilling life includes studying God’s Word, working full-time as a senior executive with an insurance company, and spending time with her large family. She treasures Bible studies with her best friend, vacationing with her husband of thirty years in the many beautiful national parks in the US, and Elaine enjoys photography, bird watching, and cooking. Elaine has been called by God to share this message and prays that it will end up in the hands of those that God intended to read it . . . which could be you!

For review copies and media interviews, contact: ehersman@me.com.

Bible Study Media Gives Away Hope, New Life in a Time of Need

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  • Christian publisher offers contents of newly launched book via online community platform
    • New online community offers free content by other authors

HOUSTON – April 16, 2020—Bible Study Media (BSM), a Christian curriculum publishing ministry and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, announced today it will offer content from one of their recently launched books to the public at no cost through their new online community platform.

“We are living in unique and unprecedented times. However, the reason for what we do hasn’t changed,” said BSM President, The Rev. Charlie Holt. “It is our desire that hearts would be ignited and minds would be engaged in the Scriptures, both in the context of one’s own community of faith and with the global Church at large during this time. In response to the hardships brought on by this global pandemic, we want to offer our content for free.”

Beginning, Sunday, April 19, the newly launched book, A Living Hope: A Study of 1 Peter, will be available on BSM’s new online community free of charge. The Easter Bible study, authored by emerging Christian speaker and author Sarah Viggiano Wright, currently ranks number one on Amazon’s list of Anglican Christian new releases.

While you can still purchase the entire A Living Hope series, the author said that offering the Bible course for free through an online community platform is her way of serving during a time when so many are searching for hope, meaning, and connection.

“I think a lot of us are asking ourselves, How can I find hope today? Where can I go to soften the blows of the hardships from today? Or how can I simply get through the day?” said Wright. “My prayer is that through this study of 1 Peter, believers will become utterly convinced that Jesus is the only sure, true, incorruptible, and permanent hope. His is the only promise you can cling to that guarantees a brighter future will come.”

By visiting https://members.biblestudymedia.com/, users will be asked to provide sign-up details to become a member. Once members enter the community landing page they will have immediate access to the six-week Bible course which includes: daily devotionals, teaching videos, questions for online group discussions, memory verses, and opportunities to participate in video conferencing events with the author. Members have the option to take the Bible study as a self-study, with a small group, or with their church.

In addition to A Living Hope: A Study of 1 Peter, BSM is offering at no cost within the same community network another Easter-season Bible study called The Resurrected Life: Making All Things New, written by BSM president The Rev. Charlie Holt. In the coming weeks, BSM will offer the two other studies in their signature Christian Life Trilogy Bible study curriculum at no charge, which include The Crucified Life and The Spirit-filled Life, also authored by Holt.

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About Bible Study Media

Bible Study Media, a registered 501(c)(3), believes in building up the Church through a fresh discovery of God’s Word and Spirit. We produce resources to shape hearts and minds around the patterns of Christ while strengthening Christian community. Our Biblical Literacy Project seeks to introduce adults, youth, and children to the transforming power of God’s Word through curriculum built around the three-year Revised Common Lectionary and the Christian Church year. Our small groups studies invite participants to journey together through the Scriptures in the rhythms of the Church year. We invite you to explore Bible Study Media—Igniting Hearts and Engaging Minds. To learn more please visit: www.biblestudymedia.com

About the Author

Sarah Viggiano Wright is teacher, speaker, and writer who loves sharing God’s Word. She helps equip churches in their educational ministries. She contributed to Co-Laborers, Co-Heirs: A Family Conversation and Beneath the Cross of Jesus: Lenten Reflections, and served as an instructor for the Teaching Women to Teach the Bible initiative through Reformed Theological Seminary. Sarah holds an M.Div and a MAC from Covenant Theological Seminary and serves Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) alongside her husband, Lee. The couple loves good food, traveling, and being with loved ones, especially their three children.

Media Inquiries
Marisol Espinosa
marisol@biblestudymedia.com
+1.281.658.2614

Brazilian blind surfer’s story of great courage and faith

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Every so often, a unique book comes along that will inspire and motivate you to step into what is you dare to dream about. Beyond These Eyes (Ark House Press) is the biography of Derek Rabelo, the world-renowned Brazilian blind surfer and one of the most courageous people on the planet.

Born blind due to congenital glaucoma, Derek Rabelo is globally recognized for his big wave surfing feats. He carries with him a great faith in his God, a faith he says makes it possible to achieve what very few with able sight can.

Famous for his big wave courage, he has ridden life-threatening monsters at Pipeline, Jaws and Mavericks in Northern California, and most recently surfing 50-foot waves in Nazare, Portugal. While it is an unbelievable attempt for anyone, it is a pure miracle if you are blind.

Derek’s story is one of overcoming in the face of great opposition. His humility is shown throughout his life as portrayed in the book.

Derek owes so much of his surfing career to the guidance of his father, a former surfer. He encouraged his son to step out in faith and do the extraordinary. In fact his whole family have lovingly supported him in all his endeavors. He has also successfully been a downhill skier and skateboard rider.

Beyond These Eyes takes you on an extraordinary journey inside Derek’s life. From the time of his birth, the anguish and then devotion and love of his family, to his build up to being a big wave surfer.

Contact information:
Derek Rabelo
derekrabelo@gmail.com

Lynn Goldsmith –
lynngoldsmith194@gmail.com

New book investigates wrongful convictions and innocent Americans on death row

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FAITH NEWSWIRE – The Deprived: Innocent on Death Row’ by Steffen Hou describes how thousands of Americans are convicted of crimes they never committed. Many of them end up on death row where inmates have been executed despite their innocence.

The Deprived—Innocent on Death Row tells the dramatic stories of the innocent death row inmates and describes the murder cases that led to their wrongful convictions.

The book also describes what ultimately set them free and how they struggle to restore life after prison.

The Deprived—Innocent on Death Row also investigates what leads to wrongful convictions in the U.S. and who’s most likely to be incarcerated for a crime they never committed.

The book is based on interviews with ten Americans who have all been affected by wrongful convictions and the death penalty.

Sonia “Sunny” Jacobs tells what it is like to be a woman on death row and how she reacted when her husband was wrongfully executed.

Derrick Jamison tells what it feels like to be scheduled to die in 90 minutes and why he accuses law enforcement officers of killing his mother.

Damon Thibodeaux tells what it feels like when even relatives believe you are a cold-blooded killer.

Kwame Ajamu tells what it feels like to be put in the death house as a teenager and be deprived the chance of having children.

Randy Gardner tells what it did to him when a firing squad executed his brother and why he fights to abolish the death penalty.

Herman Lindsey tells why he is still labeled a murderer even after being exonerated.

Ronnie Sandoval tells what it is like when your teenage son is the victim of a wrongful conviction and how she lost him twice.

Magdaleno “Leno” Rose-Avilá tells why his own past as a violent gang member turned him into a human activist.

Marietta Jaeger tells why she forgave her seven-year-old daughter’s serial killer and fought for him not to be sentenced to death.

Nick Yarris tells what life is like on death row when Ted Bundy is in the cell next to you, how you survive the violence in prison without becoming a monster yourself.

Paperback: 218 pages
Publisher: BookBaby
Language: English
ISBN-10: 154395507X
Sold through 170 online retailers worldwide

About the author:

Steffen Hou is a Danish author (born 1975). He has a background as a journalist and he has previously written about topics such as ‘Human Trafficking’ and ‘The White Supremacy Movement in America’. He is also a filmmaker.

Contact for interview, further information or if you would like to publish excerpt of book:

Steffen Hou: +45 4081 3196
steffen.hou@houmedia.dk
www.steffenhou.com

Note to media: you can re-publish this article in full or in part.

From Muslim to Christian, and the price paid for faith

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FAITH NEWSWIRE – When you think of becoming a Christian, it’s a pretty simple process. You believe in your heart, you pray a prayer, and with that, your life is transformed forever.

However, when a Muslim decides to convert to Christianity, it’s a whole different story.

Guryel Ali, the author of a new book titled Know Yourself Loved, has written his story in a compelling new book. He states that, “When you leave Islam for another religion, it’s important to note here the dilemma Muslim people are plunged into when they receive Jesus as Lord. It often comes with a great price tag.

“Even in Western secular societies, Apostasy in Islam is a grave matter. The religion takes this personally. It is considered a public shame for the family and community. Accepting Jesus is seen as rejecting their family and their faith. For seekers, this is a very real struggle and a heavy burden.

“In some Muslim countries, the sacrifice is even greater. They may not only lose their families, they may lose their friends, their jobs, their place in society, and in extreme cases, they may face punishment, retribution and perhaps even lose their lives.”

Ali became a Christian after having supernatural encounters. He notes that, “Many Muslims have dreams of a man in white, just like I did. Muslims revere the supernatural vision/dream, so this is a powerful witness. There is in fact a great move of God happening at the moment.

“When this happens in Muslim countries, there is an underground movement, where they become secret believers, just like there was in Communist China and Russia.”

This book is the result of 25 years of travelling in ministry singing and preaching. Whenever he shared his story, people kept asking where they could buy his book. “One of the reasons I wrote the book was to help Christians understand that Muslims are not atheists,” he adds. “On the contrary, they are children of Abraham. I go in to more detail in this in the book on this aspect and on how Christians can witness to Muslims.”

Know Yourself Loved is therefore a fascinating, true story of a Muslim born in London and raised in Australia. A powerful account of conversion from Islam to Christ, it involves a broken childhood, a teenage rebel, a dream/vision of Jesus, a search for the ‘Man in White’, uncanny coincidences and supernatural encounters along the road to find a Father.

Ali shares his extraordinary testimony with sincerity and humour. His book is one of hope and shows that, no matter the circumstances, God is within reach for anyone who is searching for Him.