Mike Powers Interviews Max Lucado

Max Lucado has touched millions with his signature storytelling writing style. Awards and accolades follow Max with each book he writes. Max is the first author to win the Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year three times—1999 for Just Like Jesus, 1997 for In the Grip of Grace and 1995 for When God Whispers Your Name. In 2005, Reader’s Digest dubbed him “America’s Best Preacher.” In addition, he has been an ECPA Gold Medallion finalist with more titles than any other author in the industry.

Learn more about Max Lucado and his ministry at his website: http://www.maxlucado.com

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #039 – How Do We Choose Deacons?

John Maxwell reminds us that …

* “The secure are into towels … The insecure are into titles.
* The secure are people-conscious … The insecure are position conscious.
* The secure want to add value to others … The insecure want to receive value from others.”

Jesus defined Christianity when he said … Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43-44 (NIV)

Inside a healthy, growing church the goal of life is serving others.

Let’s listen now as Pastor Matt explores New Testament servant leadership at First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California in this week’s episode “How Do We Choose Deacons?”

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Dr. Matthew Lee Smith interviews Patrick Morley, Ph.D.

Patrick Morley, Ph.D.

Chairman and CEO, Man in the Mirror

http://www.maninthemirror.org

If you take virtually every problem in America today, at the root of it you will find the failure of a man (e.g. 93% of prisoners are male and 85% of these come from fatherless homes). Today there are approximately 98,000,000 men in America, 63,000,000 of which don’t know Christ. Only 8,000,000 of these are active in discipleship. This would be the equivalent of 12 guys playing on a football team and only 1 of them knowing how to play football.

Now, no man fails on purpose – most wake up in the morning wanting to succeed.

The desire of Man in the Mirror is to come along side pastors and men’s ministry leaders who are equipping men for success. Man in the Mirror is accomplishing their mission and vision through: Men’s Bible Studies; Christian Literature; Seminars and their Leadership Training / Networking.

For three decades Patrick Morley has been regarded as one of America’s most respected authorities on the unique challenges and opportunities that men face.

After spending the first part of his career in the highly competitive world of real estate development, Patrick has been used throughout the world to help men think more deeply about their lives.

In 1989 he wrote The Man in the Mirror, a landmark book that poured from his own search for meaning, purpose, and a deeper relationship with God. With nearly 3,000,000 copies, this best-selling book has captured the imaginations of hundreds of thousands of men worldwide, and was selected as one of the 100 most influential Christian books of the twentieth century. Five of his 13 books have received critical acclaim.

In 1991, Patrick founded Man in the Mirror, which trains and resources church leaders to reach men more effectively. Through his speaking and writing he is a tireless advocate for men, encouraging and inspiring them to change their lives. Every Friday morning since 1986, Patrick teaches a Bible study to 150 businessmen in Orlando, Florida which is webcast throughout the United States and in 50 countries.

“The ministry of Man in the Mirror exists,” says Patrick Morley, “in answer to the prayers of all those wives, mothers, and grandmothers who have for decades been praying for the men in their lives.”

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #038 – What is the Key to Church Health and Growth?

Lyle Schaller calls attention to the fact that most churches in the United States reach a peak in size during their first twenty or thirty years and then either plateau or shrink in size. The reasoning is that while most begin with an outward focus, in time, they turn inward, allocating their resources and their attention on the maintenance of the organization and the care of the membership.

Becoming a healthy, growing church in a hostile world is what today’s episode is all about.

In “What is the Key to Church Health and Growth?”, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith looks back to the first century church and discovers the keys to avoid the ‘death cycle’ so many churches find themselves in today …

Let’s listen now as Pastor Matt encourages First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California to break the cycle and reach the world for Christ!

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #037 – For a Few Dollars More …

Ron tells us that recently …

“A couple came into my dealership and picked out a car they wanted to purchase. When negotiations on the price came to standstill I was called in to try to close the deal.

“We live on a limited income,” the husband kept insisting. “We can’t afford to pay that much money.”

“I quoted our best price in writing, and no one spoke for several minutes. Then the wife moved the paper I had placed in front of them.

“Noticing this, I complimented her on an exquisite diamond ring she was wearing.

As the husband finally picked up a pen to sign the purchase agreement, he mumbled to her, “Why didn’t you leave that thing at home?”

Hypocrisy has a way of exposing us in the worst possible times, as we will see in today’s episode, “How to Avoid Being a Hypocrite!”

As we listen today, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Transformation Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California reminds us that the last place we want to be found out as a pretender is by lying to God and to his people about our giving.

Today’s episode is hosted by Mike Powers, edited by Tabitha Grace Smith. Music for this episode was obtained from the Podsafe Music Network – “By Your Love” by Matthew Casteel, his website is matthewcastelle.com.

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Transformed's Podcast Peer Award for Best Newbee!

Dr. Matthew Lee Smith poses with his trophy from the Winter 2008 Podcast Peer competition. The Transformed Podcast won Best Newbee podcast!

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Mike Powers interviews Recording Artist Matthew West

Matthew West
Singer, Songwriter and Recording artist

Since the 2003 release of his Universal South debut, Happy, Matthew West has been on a fast track to making music history. The project’s first single, “More,” held the #1 spot on R&R’s Christian Adult Contemporary singles chart for a record-breaking nine weeks and went on to be named Christian Song of the Year by ASCAP. Capping off an eventful year, Matthew was nominated in five categories—including New Artist of the Year— at the 2005 GMA Music Awards. Meanwhile, the young singer/songwriter has had his songs recorded by many of the top names in Christian music, and last year, country’s Rascal Flatts was added to the list.

For more information visit Matthew West’s Website.

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #036 – How Generous Are You?

Pastor Jan Hettinga tells us that, “The early church “had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need” (Acts 2:44-45). “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had….There were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:32,34).

“This is supernatural behavior. It takes “much grace” for God to pry our fingers from their death grip on the material substance upon which we base our independent self-sufficiency. We can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the kingdom is arriving in our hearts when our generosity flourishes as it did for the saints of old.”

In today’s episode, “How Generous Are You?” Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Transformation Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California welcomes Rev. Andy Samuels of the Miami 7th Day Baptist Church to sunny California to explain to us why we are so selfish and how we can become more generous.

Let’s listen in now as Pastor Andy reminds us of the world we live in and the world we are supposed to live out …

Today’s episode is hosted by Mike Powers, edited by Tabitha Grace Smith. Music for this episode was obtained from the Podsafe Music Network – “By Your Love” by Matthew Casteel, his website is matthewcastelle.com.

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #035 – Will You Speak Boldly for Jesus?

As we spend time with Jesus we soon learn that a great spiritual battle exists all around us. One of the first things you learn about this spiritual life is that there are two sides – the side of Light (Jesus) and the side of Darkness (Satan). Those trapped in the clutches of demons (Satan’s followers) need release. Boldness infuses us with an ability to transform the conditions we are in through the character we possess. It also allows us to help those trapped in darkness to come into His light and life!

In today’s episode, “Will You Speak Boldly for Jesus?” Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Transformation Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California shares how the disciples became so bold in their witness after Jesus returned to Heaven.

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Transformed Podcast: Episode #034 – Will You Stand for Jesus?

Elbert Hubbard has written, “The man who is anybody and who does anything is going to be criticized, vilified, and misunderstood. That is part of the penalty for greatness, and every man understands it; and understands, too, that it is no proof of greatness. The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure continuously without resentment.”

In today’s episode, “Will You Stand for Jesus?” Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Transformation Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, California shows us that when we speak up for Jesus, it is quite possible people will censure us – tell us to be silent and threaten us with physical harm to get their way.

Let’s listen in now as Pastor Matt shows us how James and John, like Jesus, model the path to take when others attempt to silence our witness.

Today’s episode is hosted by Mike Powers, edited by Tabitha Grace Smith. Music for this episode was obtained from the Podsafe Music Network – “By Your Love” by Matthew Casteel, his website is matthewcastelle.com.

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