Mike Powers Interviews Jentezen Franklin

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Right People, Right Place, Right Plan: Discerning the Voice of God
by Jentezen Franklin
Publisher: Whitaker House

You have inside information on God’s will for your life!

God has bestowed an incredible gift with every believer. He has given you an internal compass to guide and discern things about your life, your family, your children, your finances, and much more. Jentezen Franklin reveals how, through the Holy Spirit, you can tap into the heart and mind of the Almighty.

By understanding and developing your discernment, you will:

* Activate supernatural wisdom
* Learn to recognize God’s voice when you hear it
* Unlock the power of prayer
* Overcome temptation
* Win others to Christ
* Make a profound difference in the lives of your loved ones

Begin to tap into the supernatural gift of spiritual discernment, and you will better be able to fulfill your purpose as a child of God.

Visit Jentezen Franklin’s Website.
Visit Free Chapel OC

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Dr. Matthew Smith Interviews Rod Rogers

Posted on July 29, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Dr. Rod Rogers is the founder and president of Leaderskills International, Inc., a church consulting firm specializing in general fund and capital fund raising through stewardship development and leadership training.

Rod has shared his stewardship insights on television on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, is the publisher of the Dynamic Giving Newsletter—a free eNewsletter for pastors, and is the creator of a 10-step general fund stewardship development program, The Dynamic Giving System™.

He is also author of several works including Pastor Driven Stewardship: 10 Steps to Lead Your Church to Biblical Giving, the Dynamic Giving Toolkit: How To Increase Your Church’s Giving 10-60% In 5 Weeks, the Dynamic Giving eBook, the Spiritual Gifts Discovery Guide, Trusting Jesus in the Storms of Life, How to Overcome Fear, and How to Overcome Anger.

Rod is no mere academic, having almost thirty years of pastoral experience. He served in youth ministry for eleven years, including one year as a missionary in Portugal. He also founded and served as the senior pastor of a church in Denver, Colorado for fifteen years.

View Rod Roger’s LinkedIn Profile.

Visit Rod at these sites:

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Mike Powers Interviews Julie Norman & Zig Ziglar

Posted on July 15, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

A talented author and speaker, Zig Ziglar has an appeal that transcends barriers of age, culture and occupation. Since 1970, he has traveled over five million miles across the world delivering powerful life improvement messages, cultivating the energy of change.

He has shared the platform with such distinguished Americans as Presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Paul Harvey, Dr. Robert Schuller, plus numerous U.S. congressmen and governors. A well-known authority on complete and balanced success, Zig Ziglar has been recognized three times in the Congressional Record of the United States – for his work with youth in the drug war, and for his dedication to America and the free enterprise system.

Zig Ziglar’s corporation is built upon the same philosophy he expounds to his audiences – hard work, common sense, fairness, commitment and integrity. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Ziglar offers public seminars, customized educational programs, workshops and keynote speakers – all focused on personal and professional development. Profoundly affecting the lives of people, Zig Ziglar has a client list that includes thousands of small and mid-sized businesses, Fortune 500 Companies, U.S. Government agencies, churches, schools and non-profit associations.

In addition, Mr. Ziglar has written twenty-five celebrated books on personal growth, leadership, sales, faith, family and success, including See You at the Top, Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World, Top Performance, Courtship After Marriage, Over The Top and Secrets of Closing the Sale. Nine titles have been on the best seller lists; his books and tapes have been translated into over thirty-eight languages and dialects.

In 1998 Success For Dummies and Confessions of a Grieving Christian were released. Not long after that the 25th Anniversary Revised Edition of See You at the Top and Staying Up, Up, Up in a Down, Down World were released. His autobiography, ZIG, was published in July 2002, Conversations With My Dog in 2003, and his NEWEST book, God’s Way is Still the Best Way, has just been released!

Visit Zig Zigler’s Website.

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #043 – Becoming a Church of Compassion

Posted on July 13, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Have you ever wondered what God is up to these days? I know I have! In the midst of some of the most turbulent financial times our globe has seen in years, God is doing something special!

How do we discover what God is up to? We do that by looking backwards for a moment and watching His footsteps inside of our past.

“Becoming a Church of Compassion’ is a message about hope and potential … potential to discover what God is up to in your neighborhood. Pastor Matt Smith explores the direction God is leading the congregation at the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California … one he hopes you will also take by following these same steps, only in your part of the world.

Looking into Acts 9, let’s join Dr. Smith as he teaches the people of God … including you and me … compassion’s potential!

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #042: Becoming a Church of Diversity!

Posted on July 7, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“Red and yellow, black and white,

They are precious in his sight.”

Perhaps you remember this children’s song concerning the love of Jesus. While it doesn’t cover all the colors and hues of God’s children, there is no doubt of the message inside of this little song: God loves diversity. As the people of God we’re to love the diversity of his children as well.

In this episode entitled “Becoming a Church of Diversity!” Pastor Matt Smith explores the path that God is leading the congregation of First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes down. One that every true follower of Jesus can and should follow.

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Dr. Matthew Smith Interviews Dr. Erwin Lutzer

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

In today’s interview Dr. Matthew Smith interviews Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago Illinois. Pastor Matt and Pastor Lutzer have been friends for over three decades. In this interview you will hear about Dr. Lutzer’s new book, Is God On America’s Side?, growing an urban church and the passion and pursuit of one of America’s true men of God.

Dr. Erwin Lutzer was born and reared near Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His educational background includes a B.Th fro Winnipeg Bible College, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, an MA from Loyola University, an honorary LL.D. from Simon Greenleaf School of Law, and an honorary Doctorate from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary.

For five years Dr. Lutzer was the Pastor of Edgewater Baptist Church in Chicago and later became an assistant professor of Bible and Theology at the Moody Bible Institute. On January 1, 1980 he became the Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago. From this vantage point he has provided leadership to Chicago pastors in the discipline of prayer and fasting.

Dr. Lutzer is the author of numerous books among which are: Failure, The Back Door to Success, How to Say No to a Stubborn Habit, and Christ Among Other Gods. Hitler’s Cross (April 1995), was awarded the Christian Booksellers Gold Medallion Award and One Minute After You Die (January 1997), was on their Best Sellers List. Recent releases include: Seven Reasons Why You Can Trust The Bible (November 1998), Why The Cross Can Do What Politics Can’t (January 1999), Seven Convincing Miracles, and Understanding the Claims of Christ in Today’s Culture (October 1999).

Dr. Lutzer is the featured speaker on “The Moody Church Hour” and the popular evening program “Songs in the Night,” as well as the fifteen-minute daily broadcast called “Running to Win,” available on the Moody Broadcasting Network and many Christian radio stations around the country. His speaking engagements outside the pulpit of the Moody Church include Bible conferences and seminars, both domestically and in other parts of the world.

Dr. Lutzer and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area and are the parents of three children.

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #041 – Why Do We Have Troubles?

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

James says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” James 1:2

The reality is, apart from the filling of the Holy Spirit and an understanding of the mind of God, this verse makes little sense.

Pastor Matt answers the question “Why do we have troubles?” from God’s perspective, and then prepares the congregation at the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California for the times “When Troubles Come …

Now, let’s listen in to this episode which was delivered on Mother’s Day this year …

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'There is a reason,' says cancer survivor Powers

Posted on June 25, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Sun Prairie Today

June 23, 2008

'There is a reason,' says cancer survivor Powers Photo
When veteran radio broadcaster Mike Powers learned he had prostate cancer, the news left him in shock.”The word cancer is very daunting — it’s very scary,” he said. “You start to wonder, Lord, how long am I going to be in this world? Are my days numbered?”

Powers, an on-air personality for WNWC in Madison (WI) and long-time voice of Sun Prairie (WI) Cardinal football on KSUN-12, relied on his Christian faith more than ever to get through the tough times.

“I had all of these discussions with God,” he told an audience gathered at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Sun Prairie, WI) Sunday evening for a concert to support the local chapter of Relay for Life. “He just revealed so much to me.”

In February, Powers had prostate surgery. “As of right now, I’m cancer free,” he told the group, receiving a large round of applause.

We don’t always know why things happen, but there is a reason, said Powers. “God is doing all kinds of things in our lives with the experiences he presents us with.”

One of those experiences for Powers will be serving as an honorary chair of Relay for Life in Sun Prairie (WI).

Another experience will have an even broader impact. Powers has been chosen by motivational speaker Zig Ziglar to write a chapter in his upcoming book, “Embrace the Struggle.”

“His daughter contacted me shortly after she heard my story,” said Powers. “She said, ‘you’ve interviewed my father a number of times. You just really impressed our spirit with what God did with you. We’d like to add [your story] to our new book.'”

Editor’s Note: Mike Powers is Executive Vice President of Media for Eagles In Leadership.

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #040 – What Are We Willing to Sacrifice for Christ?

Posted on June 23, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Albert Pike says, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

While many today are living their lives in search of success, Jesus calls us to a higher goal. That goal is eternal significance.

Following the example of Stephen, Pastor Matt traces the five steps we can take to achieve true eternal significance. Let’s listen in now as he leads this study at the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California in this week’s episode “What Are Willing to Sacrifice for Christ?”

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Mike Powers MC's "Music For Life" Benefit for Relay for Life In Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

Posted on June 20, 2008 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Local musicians raising voices in fight against cancer

From Sun Prairie Today.

Cancer has a voice in Sun Prairie.

Thousands of voices, actually. One for each person who’s been affected by the deadly disease — either directly or through friends or family who’ve waged battle with the illness.

At 5 p.m. Sunday, a group of musicians from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 300 Broadway, will use their voices to raise money for a cure.

Faithful, the congregation’s contemporary band, will put on a free-will offering concert, performing music by a variety of contemporary Christian artists includng Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns and Third Day.

The event is open to the public. All donations will support Sun Prairie Relay for Life.

Between songs, band members will share testimonies about their own experiences with cancer and the important role faith has played.

Former Sun Prairie resident Mike Powers — a Christian radio host (WNWC) and the voice of Cardinal football (KSUN) — will serve as MC. He recently overcame his own battle with prostrate cancer.

Powers will be the honorary co-chair of this year’s Sun Prairie Relay for Life event.

In addition to the music, there will be plenty of good food available for munching between sets and after the show.

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