It’s become such a highly requested item that the announcements about it began six months ago. What are we talking about? The next presidental candidate? The next American Idol? NO!

We’re talking about the next VBS theme from Group Publishing!

SKY VBS: Everything is possible with God (Mark 10:27) is the theme as kids experience Bible Truths in memorable, life-changing ways.

1. Day 1 tells us the story of a Roman officer who has faith in Christ (Matthew 8:5-13). No matter who you are, trust God!
2. Day 2 celebrates the miracle of Lazarus being brought back to life by Jesus (John 11). No matter how you feel, trust God!
3. Day 3 helps children understand the arrest and trial of Jesus (Matthew 26-27). No matter what people do, trust God!
4. Day 4 brings us to the death and resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 27-28). No matter what happens, trust God!
5. Day 5 wraps things up with Jesus making breakfast on the shore (John 21). No matter where you are, trust God!

Once again, Group publishing has done everything they can to make the VBS as easy as possible. The Director’s Resources, leader manuals and student resources are simple to use and quick to manage. (And who doesn’t love a flying pig!)

The various options are now available to review on LRM’s www.saveonvbs.com web site. You can also check out the alternative Holy Land Adventure “Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity.” More on that soon!

Although some won’t recognize his name immediate, Tullian Tchividjian is the grandson of Billy Graham and Senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian (D James Kennedy’s former church). Like many pastors, Tullian entered this pastorate with hope and expectation of seeing great things happen for God’s glory. Shortly thereafter, the storms began…

Listen to a brief, 12-minute conversation with Tullian as he shares the journey that resulted and a bit of his heart from .

Aired 12/2/11 on KSIV AM St Louis – Bott Radio Network

Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividijian (Please click on the title to hear the interview.)

Publisher Marketing:

Jesus + Nothing = Everything is the equation that Tullian Tchividjian took away from a year of great trial and turmoil. He describes the bitter divisions that soured the beginning of his pastorate at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and the personal anchor that he found in the overwhelming power of the gospel. The book of Colossians forms the basis of Tchividjian’s call for Christians to rediscover the gospel and continually reorient their lives around Jesus and only Jesus. Tchividjian insists that many who assume they understand the gospel fail to actually apply its riches to their lives. He takes particular aim at self-righteousness, which motivates moral behavior by fear and guilt. In contrast, the gospel of grace, with the radical freedom that it brings, provides
the only sustainable motivation for Christians. This book delves into the profound theological truths of the gospel, yet the message is intensely practical–Tchividjian sounds the call for believers to lean hard on Christ in every area of every day.

The Bible contains 66 books but it is ONE book that reveals the great story of God’s mercy and grace. Through the efforts of Max Lucado, Randy Frazee and Zondervan Publishing, your church can engage in a wonderful journey through the Word by connecting with “The Story” campaign.

Bob Rogers, a vice president at Zondervan Publishing, joins us for a discussion of the incredible resources that are available through this cooperative project. [SIDE NOTE from Marty: The DVD for Youth is INCREDIBLE! It's worth watching over, and over, and over again!]

Aired 12/2/11 on KSIV AM Bott Radio Network

The Story Bible (Bob Rogers) (click on the title to hear the interview)

Journey to Christmas DVD  (Please click on the title to hear the interview.)

Here’s the premise: Five people. Five backgrounds. One destination – Christmas in Bethlehem.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching “Journey to Christmas.” My daughter and wife enjoyed it.  I plan to share it with others.

Simply put – you will love it!

This interview with Drew Marshall, one of the 5 individuals, aired November 18, 2011 on Bott Radio Network. (The web version includes an additional four minutes of unedited content.)

A little more info? Have you wondered what the journey was like for Mary and Joseph? In an incredible high-quality and moving “reality” production, join five people (Messianic Jew, First Nations woman, a poet, a radio personality and an agnostic lawyer) on the Journey to Christmas. Expert commentary, printable resources and additional guides help make this a stunning an fascinating journey through the Holy Land and exploration of faith!

 Samuel Hodges – Grieving with Hope (Please click on the title to hear the interview.)

The holidays can be a tough time. Is there help? Is there support? Listen to a brief interview with Samuel Hodges for information on a new resource, Grieving with Hope, and a ministry called Grief Share.

Aired November 18, 2011 on Bott Radio Network.

Publisher Marketing:
Practical and straightforward, yet warm and compassionate, “Grieving with Hope” clarifies the popular misconception that people move through stages of grief. This will be an encouragement to many, as grieving people often think something is wrong with them when their grief doesn’t proceed neatly through stages. The reality is that grieving people jump back and forth between different emotions, sometimes wrestling with multiple emotions at once. This book is packed with short, biblically based, gospel-centered, topical chapters addressing the issues grieving people face but are often hesitant to mention to others. It helps readers accurately interpret the message their emotions are sending them and gently guides them to determine whether they’re grieving in a way that leads to hope and ultimate healing.

Developed from interviews with over 30 well-respected Christian counselors, teachers, and authors, as well as numerous personal testimonies, “Grieving with Hope” helps the bereaved discover how hope and peace are available amidst their heartache and pain.

 John Bisagno: Pastor’s Handbook (please click on the title to the left to hear the interview)

Aired on Bott Radio Network November 4, 2011

Publisher Marketing: Powerful. Practical. Pastoral. “Pastor’s Handbook “is the major expansion and revision of beloved preacher John R. Bisagno’s previously heralded work, “Letters to Timothy.” Based on his sixty years in ministry, it now includes 160 brief yet powerful chapters of practical insight for handling real life pastoral issues–”things that might have fallen through the cracks in seminary.”

Bisagno still mentors young pastors in his retirement and recognizes new challenges in this profession known for its high dropout rate. Keeping that in mind, “Pastor’s”"Handbook “adds helpful entries on such issues as “The Seeker Friendly Church,” “Solving Worship Wars,” “Multiple Campuses,” “New Media,” and “Home Groups” as well as “Internet Pornography,” “Biblical Inerrancy,” “The High Cost of Overnight Change,” “Homosexuality,” “Christianity and Islam,” and more than a dozen other timely topics.
Bisagno also refreshes many of the original chapters, factoring in new world issues and his updated survey of pastoral colleagues.

 HC Beckerr: Hill of Great Darkness (please click on the title to hear the interview)

Publisher Marketing: An ancient civilization lost in a one thousand year old mystery. A modern, state-of-the-art spacecraft on her first mission, tapping into a radically new power source-or is it new? Could this power source have been available all along? An event in space-actually caused by something that has been buried right underneath our feet for over a millennium-is about to unfold into mankind’s greatest adventure … so far …

Aired on Bott Radio Network October 28, 2011

 Timothy Botts: Bound for Glory (click on title to hear the interview)

Beautiful artwork inspired from African-American spirituals. Hear the heart behind the artist!

Aired on Bott Radio Network November 4, 2011

Publisher Marketing: “Bound for Glory” is a powerful gift book inspired by a collection of calligraphic paintings by world-renowned calligrapher Timothy R. Botts. The book features 52 paintings that are visual interpretations–in words and pictures–of African American spiritual songs. These amazing songs are an important part of our American heritage, and they continue to give us hope in the face of life’s many challenges. The book also includes 52 reflective readings from Botts and African-American writer and speaker Patricia Raybon. It also includes lyrics from the spirituals along with inspirational Scripture verses from the New Living Translation.

Steven Arterburn – Walking into Walls (click on the title to access the interview)

All of us crash into self-constructed walls and bloody our noses from time to time. These walls block growth, healthy relationships and overall contentment and happiness. Most of us are blind to our own self-defeating behaviors and attitudes, so we repeatedly walk into the same walls again and again.
Best-selling author Stephen Arterburn leads us through the process of deconstructing the issues that built those walls as well as find the permanent healing that frees us to live the joyful life we were meant to live.

Aired on Bott Radio Network October 28, 2011 (@bottradio)

I love music. I love singing.

However, those who have heard me sing, know that the demonstration of that love is not always the greatest. Personally, I do think I hit every note – just not at the right time or place. But, enough bragging…

The reason I mention this is that there is a new book, Bound for Glory, releasing from Tyndale House publishers and our friend, Timothy Botts. Timothy has taken 52 spirituals and communicated them through beautiful writing, or, as it is better known, calligraphy.