Audiobooks by Jay Charles

Dangerous churches should be norm. Church leaders and church people alike shrink back from danger because we want safety. Jesus said that he's overcome the world and its troubles. Dangerous churches put everything on the line for the one thing that matters most: reaching lost people. It's dangerous not to be a dangerous church. The book is less about methods or even the message of God, but about a church that risks everything it has to reach lost people. Living Hope was birthed 8 years ago and has grown from five families to 5000 attendees, grown from one to 19 services on many campuses, and baptized 5,000 people along the way. A dangerous church sees what 'only God' can do when it acts upon what the church is supposed to be. It risks everything to reach people. God wants us to live on the edge of our margin when it comes to mission and methods. So much of Living Hope's journey has been going back to the Book of Acts and trying to live authentically with the givens of who they were, where they were and what they had to work with. They learned to abandon agendas and short-sighted human plans, especially ones that copy what other churches are doing. That's when they found God's blessing. 'We went from being a good church to being God-honoring church,' he reports. Drawing insight from the book of Acts, this book unfolds the very personal journey of a pastor, and then his entire church, when they finally began to live a dangerous faith. The transition had a dramatic impact on the pastor's life and marriage, as well as on the congregation and its outreach. It opened a new sense of mission and incredible spiritual fruitfulness. The pastor is not only a radically different person today, but the entire church has become an atmosphere that values taking dangerous steps of faith. It will lead Christ's followers to become risk-takers who change the world through a revolution that begins with a dangerous grace. The book is story-rich with examples of the grace-filled culture from Living Hope Church through the experiences of its pastor, John Bishop. It will avoid a smug attitude that implies 'we've arrived,' 'we're the first to live out grace' or 'we're the best at giving grace.' Instead, the book will convey a humble attitude of 'we've got a lot to learn,' including examples of mistakes the church has made along the way. The rapid transition of Living Hope will not be projected as a speed for other churches to follow (lest the book invite a crash-and-burn outcome at other churches). Thus the book will find its primary story in and from Living Hope. In 2007 Outreach Magazine ranked Living Hope as the seventh fastest growing church in the US. They have also been listed among the 50 most influential churches in America.

Jay Charles, John Bishop (Author), J. Charles, Jay Charles (Narrator)

Audiobook

God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions

How can I ... * cope with stress? * rebound from failure? * defeat depression? * have peace of mind? The Bible offers time-tested answers to life's toughest questions. Practical wisdom that will make a real difference if you apply it. This book was written to help you do just that. Rick Warren writes, 'In each of these twelve studies, you'll discover simple ways to apply God's truth to your personal life, your family, and your job. The way to get the most out of this book is to act on it.' This isn't nuclear physics. It's working-class wisdom for anyone and everyone---factory workers, professionals, homemakers, high school students, business executives, and yes, even rocket scientists. The Bible is filled with examples of real people who faced the same questions you face: How to handle discouragement. How to respond to crises. Why bad things happen. What to do about loneliness. Taking you inside the lives of biblical characters such as Moses, Paul, and Jesus himself, Rick Warren shows you how they dealt with their circumstances with wisdom and faith in God. From their stories you'll gain a few concrete, easy-to-understand insights you can put to work immediately in your own life.

Jay Charles, Rick Warren (Author), J. Charles, Jay Charles, Zondervan Publishing (Narrator)

Audiobook

God's Power to Change Your Life

'In the years I have been a pastor,' writes Rick Warren, 'the number-one question I'm asked is, 'Rick, why can't I change?'' People want to change---but they're stuck. Here's how to get unstuck. Drawing simple but powerful truths from the Bible, this book gives you practical guidance for specific types of change, and it links you up with the power to actually make the changes you long to make. This is no pie-in-the-sky theory. It's what redemption is about, and it's founded on the resurrection power of Jesus himself. Power that cancels your past and sets you free to get on with life. Power to conquer your problems. Power to change. The first two chapters help you lay the foundations for change. Then, taking you inside the Scriptures, Rick Warren guides you step-by-step through ten different areas. Do you want to ... o become a more joyful person? o cultivate a peaceful life in this uptight world? o be a kinder, more gracious individual? o replace self-indulgence with self-control? o experience what the truly 'good life' is all about? You can! All of the above and more are covered in plain, straightforward language. As you apply the truth of God's Word by the power of his Spirit, your life will change. You'll move out of your rut---and get on track with God's wonderful purposes for your life.

Jay Charles, Rick Warren (Author), J. Charles, Jay Charles, Zondervan Publishing (Narrator)

Audiobook

Boundaries with Teens

The teen years---relationships, peer pressure, school, dating, character. To help teenagers grow into healthy adults, parents and youth workers need to teach them how to take responsibility for their behavior, their values, and their lives. The coauthor of the Gold Medallion Award-winning book Boundaries and the father of two teenage boys brings his biblically based principles to bear on the challenging task of the teen years, showing parents: How to bring control to an out-of-control family life How to set limits and still be loving parents How to define legitimate boundaries for the family How to instill in teens a godly character In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries---the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

Dr. John Townsend, Jay Charles, John Townsend (Author), J. Charles, Jay Charles, Zondervan Publishing (Narrator)

Audiobook

Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them

Normal? Who's Normal? Not you, that's for sure! No one you've ever met, either. None of us are normal according to God's definition, and the closer we get to each other, the plainer that is. Yet for all our quirks, sins, and jagged edges, we need each other. Community is more than just a word---it is one of our most fundamental requirements. So how do flawed, abnormal people such as ourselves master the forces that can drive us apart and come together in the life-changing relationships God designed us for? In Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them, teacher and best-selling author John Ortberg zooms in on the things that make community tick. You'll get a thought-provoking look at God's heart, at others, and at yourself. Even better, you'll gain wisdom and tools for drawing closer to others in powerful, impactful ways. With humor, insight, and a gift for storytelling, Ortberg shows how community pays tremendous dividends in happiness, health, support, and growth. It's where all of us weird, unwieldy people encounter God's love in tangible ways and discover the transforming power of being loved, accepted, and valued just the way we are.

Jay Charles, John Ortberg (Author), J. Charles, Jay Charles, Zondervan Publishing (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Purpose Driven Church

Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Rick Warren believers that in order for a church to be healthy if must become a purpose-driven church by Jesus. Now the founding pastor of Saddleback Church shares a proven five-part strategy that will enable your church to grow. . .- Warmer through fellowship - Deeper through discipleship - Stronger through worship - Broader through ministry - Larger through evangelism. Discover the same practical insights and principles for growing a healthy church that Rick has taught in seminars to over 22,000 pastors and church leaders from sixty denominations and forty-two countries. The Purpose Driven Church shifts the focus away from church building programs to emphasizing a people-building process. Warren says, 'If you will concentrate on building people, God will build the church.'

Jay Charles, Rick Warren (Author), Dr. Rick Warren, J. Charles, Jay Charles, Rick Warren (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Life You've Always Wanted

The heart of Christianity is about transformation---about a God who isn't just concerned with our 'spiritual lives,' but who wants to impact every aspect of living. It's realizing that God meets us not in a monastery but on Main Street, and that all of ordinary, daily life has the potential to be lived as if Jesus himself were the one living it. Offering modern perspectives on the ancient path of the spiritual disciplines, The Life You've Always Wanted guides us on a journey beyond performance and externalism to a life marked by joy, peace, kindness, and all the signs of a faith that's vital and growing. Now with an added chapter on prayer, this expanded edition of the ECPA best-seller offers an encouraging and challenging approach to a Christian life that's worth living---life on the edge that fills our ordinary world with meaning, hope, change, and growing closeness with Christ.

Jay Charles, John Ortberg (Author), J. Charles, Jay Charles, Zondervan Publishing (Narrator)

Audiobook