Saving Leonardo

I recently talked with author and speaker Nancy Pearcey about her newest book, Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals and Meaning. Nancy has co-authored How Now Shall We Live with Chuck Colson and authored a follow up, Total Truth. She is currently a fellow at the Discovery Institute and editor-at-large for The Pearcey Report. To listen to the interview please click here or scroll down.

Praise for Saving Leonardo:

"A feast for the mind and for the eye. Nancy Pearcey not only is a trustworthy guide for a nuanced discussion on the relationship between culture and the gospel, but she is a gifted teacher as well . . . Saving Leonardo is a rare, precious gift to the churches and universities alike."

— Makoto Fujimura Artist and author of Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture

"Nancy Pearcey helps a new generation of evangelicals to understand the worldview challenges we now face and to develop an intelligent and articulate Christian understanding . . . Saving Leonardo should be put in the hands of all those who should always be ready to give an answer--and that means all of us."

— R. Albert Mohler, Jr. President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Makoto Fujimura - The Arts and The Church

I had the chance to speak with, in my opinion, one of brightest and most talented artists in our country - Makoto Fujimura. Fujimura has emerged as a voice of integrating the arts with the Faith in new and creative ways. He has been featured in The Truth Project and was a Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts (2003-2009).

Of all of his accomplishments, however, he is most proud of the International Arts Movement. According to their website, IAM "gathers artists and creative catalysts to wrestle with the deep questions of art, faith, and humanity in order to inspire the creative community to engage the culture that is and create the world that "ought to be."

He has recently partnered with Crossway Publishing a beautiful illumination of the four Gospels. This work, titled The Four Holy Gospels, blends Western and Eastern artistic traditions that brings back the traditions of illuminated works from the Middle Ages.

To listen to the interview click here or scroll down.

Makoto Fujimura - The Art of "The Four Holy Gospels" from Crossway on Vimeo.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven

Everywhere I go I see this book! At first I was a little skeptical about another "near death" and "returned from Heaven" book. But as I read I realized there was something different about this. When I was given the chance to interview Kevin Malarkey, co-author, I jumped at the chance because I wanted to know the truth.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven is an amazing true story about a six year old who experienced something amazing while he was in a coma after a devastating car accident. Listen to what his father has to say about this and how it has challenged him by clicking here or scrolling down. To read the first chapter click here. Click here to connect with Kevin and Alex on Facebook

Do You Know Where Your Kids Are...

... on the internet? Keeping track of your kids is tough, and knowing where they are on the internet is getting harder. The Better Business Bureau Children's Advertising Review Unit is asking parents to teach their kids and tweens about surfing safely on the internet. Sit down with them and let them know to stop and come talk with you about situations on the internet like these:

1. Visiting a website that asks for financial information
2. Websites that asks for personal information like home addresses, phone numbers, e-mails. etc.
3. Receiving inappropriate messages and pictures
4. Posting pictures of themselves
5. Being harassed and bullied through social networks, e-mails or instant messaging
6. Getting a friend request from someone they don't know
7. Signing up for "free" ringtones, music or games.

To learn more about online safety for your kids visit the Children's Advertising Review Unit web site by clicking here.

Transforming the World Around You

Kris Vollotton, co-founder of the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry and founder of Moral Revolution, believes that in light of the circumstances that surround our world, it's time for the Body of Christ to carry the Kingdom of Heaven into the darkest places on the planet by learning to influence every realm of society.

I had the chance to talk with Kris about his new book, Heavy Rain: How You Can Transform the World Around You, in which he reminds his readers that the Church is in need of a reformation in order to fulfill God's desire for the Church to transform the world. To listen, click here or scroll down.

Making the Right Call When Choosing a Cell Phone

Now that the iPhone is available on AT&T and Verizon, the cell phone wars are heating up. How do you pick the right phone and carrier that will meet your needs? Here are a few suggestions from the Atlanta Better Business Bureau:

1. Phones - think about how you are going to use your phone; if you are going to use it to only make calls than buying a smart phone may not be the right call.
2. Plans - find out the billing cycle, the term of the contract, hidden fees, etc. One other item is the number of minutes being billed for.
3. Coverage - this is where the low cost carriers lose - what's the point of having a cell phone when you don't have reception. Also look for national roaming and international calling features.

Some questions you should ask before signing a contract:

1. How long is the grace period for testing the service and phone?
2. How long is the contract?
3. How many minutes do I get each month and how can I track them?
4. What are the extra fees?
5. Will bundling or a data plan save me money?

Always read the fine print and don't feel pressured in buying something that you know you don't need. Check out the company's report by visiting the Better Business Bureau.

Ray Comfort - The Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions

It’s tough to be a believer in today’s world- especially if you are a student in an academic system intent on destroying your faith. Bestselling author and television co-host, Ray Comfort, has collected some of the toughest questions people will face in defending their faith and offers sound biblical responses in his latest book, The Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions. Each issue is one that has been raised by genuine atheists. Don’t be without these powerful facts when you face a world trying to twist and confuse biblical truth.

When an atheist wants an answer, will you have one? I had the chance to talk with Ray about this book and why it's so important that we have an answer for the hope that we have. To listen click here or scroll down.