The Guardian Angel, Inc non-profit children s foundation in Pella Iowa, is a 501(c)(3) organization for kids founded by Dr. Ana Lopez-Dawson, a clinical psychologist serving children and families in Iowa for over 20 years. Guardian Angel, Inc houses several activity centers and charitable children s programs in Iowa throughout the year and also manages facilities that aid in the contribution and funding of the various programs.

Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons What are little boys made of? It used to be frogs, snails, and puppy dog tails, but today it is MTV, ADD, and STDs. So how do parents raise their sons to be respectful and responsible young men despite a toxic culture that relentlessly undermines masculine virtues such as moral strength, self-restraint, and respect for women? By letting boys be boys. Dr. Meg Meeker, bestselling author of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, follows up her success with Boys Should Be Boys a guide for parents on how to raise a strong son in these turbulent times. Taking readers on a journey from boyhood to manhood, Boys Should Be Boys delves into the mind, heart, and spirit of boys, showing parents how they can make a difference between the boy their son is and the man he will become. Boys will be boys Dr.Meeker shows why it is not just an expression, it s a necessity. About Dr. Meeker: Meg Meeker, M.D. has taught medical students and pediatric residents for the past 20 years, while practicing pediatric and adolescent medicine in northern Michigan. She is a highly sought after speaker on teen health issues at national conferences. Dr. Meeker appeared on the NBC Dateline Special 411: Teens and Sex, with Katie Couric, was a guest hour on the Today Show with Katie Couric, she has been a guest on The O Reilly Factor, Heartland with John Kasick, Dayside with Linda Vester and The Dr. Laura Show. Dr. Meeker has been a guest on over 300 radio shows including NPR, the Michael Medved Show, Relevant Radio and G. Gordon Liddy.

Listen in as author Lee Strobel shares about his recently released DVD, The Case for Faith, from LIONSGATE®. Based on the Gold Medallion-winning book of the same name The Case for Faith is a life-changing DVD that will alter the way people look at the world. In The Case for Faith, Strobel showcases his investigative skills to address the primary objections to Christianity. As a former atheist, Strobel understands the rational resistance to faith. Strobel investigates two of the most emotional objections to Christianity, which have become barriers to faith and are confronted by believers and skeptics alike: Why is Jesus the only way to God? And, how could a loving God exist if there is evil and suffering in the world? Confronting these tough questions, Strobel fields them well. The Case for Faith, the second in a series of three DVDs based on Strobel s books, Strobel turns his tenacious investigative skills to the most persistent emotional objections to belief - the eight heart barriers to faith: 1. If there s a loving God, why does this pain-wracked world groan under so much suffering and evil? 2. If the miracles of God contradict science, then how can any rational person believe that they re true? 3. If God is morally pure, how can he sanction the slaughter of innocent children as the Old Testament says he did? 4. If God cares about the people he created, how could he consign so many of them to an eternity of torture in hell just because they didn t believe the right things about him? 5. If Jesus is the only way to heaven, then what about the millions of people who have never heard of him? 6. If God really created the universe, why does the evidence of science compel so many to conclude that the unguided process of evolution accounts for life? 7. If God is the ultimate overseer of the church, why has it been rife with hypocrisy and brutality throughout the ages? 8. If I m still plagued by doubts, then is it still possible to be a Christian? Showcasing his journalistic background, Strobel brings the viewer along on his powerful quest to meet some of the Christian community’s most notable leaders, such as Peter Kreeft and William Lane Craig as well as his everyday friends and acquaintances that battle the eight arguments against faith. Through compelling video of personal stories and experts addressing these topics, combined with reflection and interaction, Christians and spiritual seekers will learn how to overcome these obstacles, deepen their spiritual convictions, and find new confidence that Christianity is a reasonable faith.

Debora Homsher is an author living in Ithaca, New York. She writes about women who have joined American adventures and faced American violence.

Listen in as Sharon Hinck shares with us about her newest novel, Stepping Into Sunlight. It s an incredibly moving story and Sharon also has a blog encouraging women to do a small kind act for a different person each day. During the 30 days of September, they are going to do set a goal to do these small kind acts. Sound fun? Sound scary? Sound impossible? I m taking the challenge! Join me here! About Stepping Into Sunlight: Penny, a Navy chaplain’s wife, witnesses a violent crime and struggles with post traumatic stress while her husband is on his first deployment. Far from family and friends, she fights to heal for the sake of her seven-year-old son, even though ordinary tasks take heroic efforts. She’s haunted by flashbacks and is tormented by fear, so she designs a project to speed her recovery: doing one small, kind act for a different person each day. The results are sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, and often used by God in surprising ways. Told with humor and lump-in-the-throat insight, Stepping into Sunlight is a compelling story of learning to live again after trauma. This was my first Sharon Hinck novel, but it garnered her a permanent spot on my favorite authors list.”– Deborah Raney, author of A Vow to Cherish and The Clayburn Novels series Order Stepping Into Sunlight Here

The S.O.S. for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms In her latest book, Mary explores an often frustrating topic, the symptoms of PMS, and offers practical advice and encouragement for mothers. Readers will find comfort in the stories shared by other moms, realizing that they are not alone in their struggles with PMS. With this book, you will find suggestions designed to inspire healthier lifestyles, relationships, and daily choices for all women. Gather any group of moms together and the topic of frustrating PMS symptoms rises up in conversation along with the guilt and concern about its effects on family members. Now Mary Byers, author of The Mother Load, offers mothers encouragement, help, and camaraderie as she shares: ~women s stories-the good, bad, and the hopeful ~overlooked symptoms and how to manage them ~foods and activities to avoid or indulge in God s first aid for stress, depression, and anxiety a call for help-how husbands can come to the aid of their wives. This gathering of useful advice and shared experiences will comfort readers who have ever felt alone in their PMS plight and will inspire healthier lifestyles, relationships, and daily choices for all women.

Chris Fabry is a 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University. He is heard on Chris Fabry Live! each weekday on Moody Radio, the Love Worth Finding broadcast, and other radio programs. You may have also heard Chris cohosting programs for Focus on the Family radio. [...]

Amy Wallace is a freelance writer and self-confessed chocoholic. She is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and serves as the liaison for the training division of the county police department. Amy is the author of Ransomed Dreams, the first book in the Defenders of Hope series, and a contributing author of several books including God Answers Moms’ Prayers, and God Allows U-Turns for Teens. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Georgia.

Dean Barkley Briggs is an author, father of eight, and prone to twisting his ankle playing basketball. He grew up reading J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Patricia McKillip, Guy Gavriel Kay, Stephen R. Donaldson, Ursila K. Leguin, Susan Cooper, Madeline L’Engle, Terry Brooks, Andre Norton and Lloyd Alexander (just to name a few)…and generally thinks most fantasy fiction pales in comparison. (Yes, he dabbled in sci-fi, too. Most notably Bradbury, Burroughs and Heinlein). After losing his wife of 16 years, Briggs decided to tell a tale his four sons could relate to in their own journey through loss. Thus was born The Book of Names (The Legends of Karac Tor), a sweeping adventure of four brothers who, while struggling to adjust to life without mom, become enmeshed in the crisis of another world. Along the way they must find their courage, face their pain, and never quit searching for home. Briggs is remarried to a lovely woman, who previously lost her husband. Together with her four children, their hands are full.

Cindy Woodsmall is a veteran homeschool mom. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible. Her first novel released in 2006 to much acclaim and became a Christian Book Association best seller. Cindy was a 2007 ECPA Christian Book Award finalist, along with Karen Kingsbury, Angela Hunt, and Charles Martin. Her lastest book, When the Morning Comes, hit the New York Times best-sellers extended list and the Christian Book Association best-sellers list. Cindy’s real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn’t realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the Prayer Kapp and caped dresses. Her parents didn’t allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy’s house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them-afraid that if they didn’t, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann’s because her family didn’t own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for them to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults’ disapproval and the obstacles in each other’s lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy’s family moved to another region of the U.S. As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two forty-something women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. Cindy, her husband, their three sons and daughter-in-law reside in Georgia. Her husband is a registered land surveyor and a vice president at an engineering firm. Their oldest son has a bachelor’s degree in nuclear medicine and works at a local hospital. Their second son and his wife are both students at the University of Georgia. Their teen-aged son keeps the household energized with his love of music, books, and writing.

TruEmotion brings to the stage a passion; driven to inspire, lead, and direct a new generation to a positive message through music and performance. Their music and spontaneous personalities demand an all out performance driven by strong vocals and unique style. Five sisters, Kansas (22), Jamie (20), Kasondra (18), Kelsie (16), and Jasmyn (14) have spent the last 7 years living out their dream. Born and raised in Iowa the group has been influenced and inspired by many different genres and artists, which has helped them develop their unique style and sound. These girls entered the entertainment industry, at the ages of 6-13, with their involvement in TV commercials, and both local and regional performances. This past year has taken the group to new levels and given them the opportunity to travel and perform from coast to coast. Now having signed with Bob Ladendorf of DVILLE Records, and teaming up with producers/writers, Kevan Cyka (Hilary Duff, Lifehouse, Jump 5, Avalon, Disney Mania 3&4 ) & Dan Needham (Stacie Orrico, Steven Curtis Chapman), along with professional choreographers and stylists, these girls are taking it to the next level. Look for their newest album and tour to begin this coming year. It promises to be a high energy show with a positive message for all audiences.

Sometimes aspiring Christian artists spend years and years developing their music and building their ministry before God places them on a national platform. Then there are times when God hits the fast forward button and a new act seems to emerge almost overnight. Rush Of Fools is definitely on the divine fast track. In an amazingly short period of time, the Birmingham-based band went from winning a national talent contest to landing a record deal with Midas Records, a management deal with industry veteran Andrew Patton’s Patton House Entertainment, and a booking agreement with the Greg Oliver Agency. This spring the band will embark on the World on Fire Tour with By the Tree and The Turning. Enamored with the band’s fresh sound and pure hearts, several of the industry’s top producers signed on to help craft the project, and the band is thrilled to be working with Matt Bronlewee (Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, Leeland), Scott Davis (Jessie Daniels) and Jason Ingram, who fronts acclaimed band The Longing. The band takes its name from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. In the scripture the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in an effort to humble them. “Paul tells the church to remember that there was nothing special about them before Christ,” says Huguley. “None of them were smart. None of them were from rich, wealthy families. None of them were huge political leaders. However, Paul explains to them that God is what made the difference in their lives. Verse 27 is the kicker for us. ‘But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.’ This is us as a band.”However, Paul explains to them that God is what made the difference in their lives. Verse 27 is the kicker for us. ‘But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.’ This is us as a band.”

Sometimes aspiring Christian artists spend years and years developing their music and building their ministry before God places them on a national platform. Then there are times when God hits the fast forward button and a new act seems to emerge almost overnight. Rush Of Fools is definitely on the divine fast track. In an amazingly short period of time, the Birmingham-based band went from winning a national talent contest to landing a record deal with Midas Records, a management deal with industry veteran Andrew Patton’s Patton House Entertainment, and a booking agreement with the Greg Oliver Agency. This spring the band will embark on the World on Fire Tour with By the Tree and The Turning. Enamored with the band’s fresh sound and pure hearts, several of the industry’s top producers signed on to help craft the project, and the band is thrilled to be working with Matt Bronlewee (Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, Leeland), Scott Davis (Jessie Daniels) and Jason Ingram, who fronts acclaimed band The Longing. The band takes its name from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. In the scripture the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in an effort to humble them. “Paul tells the church to remember that there was nothing special about them before Christ,” says Huguley. “None of them were smart. None of them were from rich, wealthy families. None of them were huge political leaders. However, Paul explains to them that God is what made the difference in their lives. Verse 27 is the kicker for us. ‘But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.’ This is us as a band.”However, Paul explains to them that God is what made the difference in their lives. Verse 27 is the kicker for us. ‘But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.’ This is us as a band.”

Born and raised in west Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. Upon graduating with an education degree way back in 1971, she traveled internationally for a year with a small singing ensemble, then came home and married one of her childhood friends. Together they raised two lovely daughters, both of which are happily married. Recently retired after teaching elementary school for 31 years, ‘Shar’ enjoys reading, writing, singing in the church choir and worship teams, traveling, and spending time with her family, which now includes her very wonderful, adorable, precious grandson, and in 2008 two additional grandchildren. A Christian for over forty years, and a lover of the English language, Shar has always enjoyed dabbling in writing—poetry, fiction, various essays, and freelancing for periodicals and newspapers. Her favored genre, however, has always been romance. She remembers well the short stories she wrote in high school and watching them circulate from girl to girl during government and civics classes. “Psst,” someone would whisper from two rows over, and always with the teacher’s back to the class, “Pass me the next page.” Shar is a an occasional speaker for her local MOPS organization, is involved in KIDS’ HOPE USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsels young women in the Apples of Gold program, and is active in two weekly Bible studies. She and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with their lovable collie, Dakota, and Mocha, their lazy, fat cat.

Jill chats with Christa Ann Banister, author of Around the World in 80 Dates and the sequel, Blessed Are the Meddlers, which released on August 15th. Learn about Christa s journey as an author and hear some of the great stories from her life that inspired these fun (and funny) novels. About Blessed Are the Meddlers: The first time you met Sydney Alexander, she was a bonafide train wreck in all things dating. Now that s happily married, she s acquired a bit of an Emma complex and started playing serial matchmaker. So will her quest to help her friends find love be successful? Hmmm, you gotta read to find out. Read the full book review here!

Award-winning author Shelley Adina wrote her first teen novel when she was 13. It was rejected by the literary publisher to whom she sent it, but he did say she knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep her going through the rest of her adolescence, a career, a move to another country, a B.A. in Literature, an M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, and countless manuscript pages. Shelley is a world traveler and pop culture junkie with an incurable addiction to designer handbags. She knows the value of a relationship with a gracious God and loving friends and writes books about fun and faith with a side of glamour. Between books, Shelley loves traveling, playing the piano and Celtic harp, watching movies, and making period costumes.

Sharon Dunn is the author of the Ruby Taylor mysteries from Kregel publications. The second book in the series, Sassy Cinderella and the Valiant Vigilante, was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers. You can read more about Sharon and her books at www.sharondunnbooks.com She has given up on trying to keep the dust bunnies out of her house. Instead, she intends to turn then into pets and let go of the dream of a clean house. Sharon squeezes writing into her schedule in between a part time job, carting three kids to activities and helping her husband find things around the house.

The creator of the character that we all love to hate, the Reverend Curtis Black. She is the author of many acclaimed novels including Love and Lies and the latest novel Sin No More.

L.A.W.S. Inspiration Station will be conducting an interview with Christian chick lit author Marilynn Griffith. Learn the secrets of how she manages life as a deacon s wife, mother to a tribe, on top of booming writing career. Stay tuned as we discuss wifely duties, motherhood, and career.

As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. In addition to writing several books about Christian community, the Jacksons have coauthored numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

This week our live show featured Women of Faith s Thelma Wells. Listen in as this amazing woman shares about her time with the Women of Faith Tour and the new things God is doing in her life. About Thelma: In 1980 Thelma became the first black woman in the South to organize her own international speaking and consulting corporation. Her natural talent for public speaking and storytelling attracted the attention of the Women of Faith Tour, and in 1996 she became the first black core speaker for the organization. She has authored several books, including her latest God Is Not Through With Me Yet.

M. L. (MARYLU) TYNDALL grew up on the beaches of South Florida loving the sea and the warm tropics. But despite the beauty around her, she always felt an ache in her soul a longing for something more. After college, she married and moved to California where she had two children and settled into a job at a local computer company. Although she had done everything the world expected, she was still miserable. She hated her job and her marriage was falling apart. Still searching for purpose, adventure and true love, she spent her late twenties and early thirties doing all the things the world told her would make her happy, and after years, her children suffered, her second marriage suffered, and she was still miserable. One day, she picked up her old Bible, dusted it off, and began to read. Somewhere in the middle, God opened her hardened heart to see that He was real, that He still loved her, and that He had a purpose for her life, if she d only give her heart to Him completely. Her current releases in the Legacy of The Kings Pirates series include:The Restitution, The Reliance, and The Redemption

Barbara Gangi is Vice President of Paulist Productions, supervising both development and production. For more than six years, Ms. Gangi has worked closely with Fr. Frank Desiderio on both documentaries and made-for-television movies. Some current credits include productions for The History Channel, A s career as a producer began in the advertising industry working on major campaigns for clients including Bristol-Myers, Mazda Motors, ABC Television Network, Kal Kan Pet Foods and Sea World. She has won numerous awards including two of the coveted CLIOs for her work as Executive Producer for agencies such as Foote, Cone We Are the World ). Ms. Gangi is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Producer’s Guild of America (PGA) and the International Documentary Association (IDA). In addition, she is a founding member of Catholics In Media Associates (CIMA), has served two terms as President and is currently on the CIMA Board of Directors.

Phil Joel (of Newsboys fame) and his wife, Heather, have been working in the children s ministry in their church for the past six years. They have recently launched a new ministry for families, DeliberateKids, to help aid parents in teaching their kids about the Lord. I recently had the chance to chat with Heather about DeliberateKids, being a mom and what it s like to be married to one of Christian music s biggest stars. Click the player above to listen in! Some of the tracks on DeliberateKids: 1. Good Morning! 2. boom Chaka-Laka-Laka 3. He s Got a plan 4. New Testament And MORE!

This week s LIVE show featured mom entrepreneur Stephanie Fish of www.BuckeyeVA.com About Stephanie: I’m a 30-something women, married 14 years, blessed mama of 5 beautiful children with a dream of being my own business owner.

This week s LIVE show featured mom entrepreneur Stephanie Fish of www.BuckeyeVA.com About Stephanie: I’m a 30-something women, married 14 years, blessed mama of 5 beautiful children with a dream of being my own business owner.

Margaret lives with her husband and two daughters in a Chicago suburb. Her book, A Mother’s Heart Knows was published by Thomas Nelson in 2005. Go Back and Be Happy, a co-authored book will be published by Lion Hudson in July 2008. Margaret has been featured on Greg Wheatly’s “Prime Time America,” TLN’s “Aspiring Women,” and LeSea’s “The Harvest Show.” Margaret writes freelance articles for The Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. Notable interviews include Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Kinkade, Susan Branch and Dr. John Gottman. Margaret also wrote a feature article for crosswalk.com. With a master’s degree in international business, Margaret became a vice president in the corporate finance division of a New York City bank and worked there from 1986-1993. Supporting charitable causes is important to Margaret. For the past five years, she has served on the board of directors for WINGS, an organization that helps abused women and their children get a new start in life.

A few other bloggers and I got together yesterday for a wonderful interview with William P. Young, author of the New York Times Bestseller, The Shack. About the Book: Mackenzie Allen Philips youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives as the shack on a wintry afternoon and walk back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack s world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain? The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You ll want everyone you know to read this book. What s being said about the book: When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize the result is a novel on the order of The Shack. This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good! ~ Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus Of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, B.C. Also, take time to check out the other great blogs that were a part of this interview! Camy Tang: http://www.camys-loft.blogspot.com/ Cara Putman: http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/ Christy Lockstein: http://christysbookblog.blogspot.com Gretchen Geyer: http://dreamwriter07.blogspot.com/ Jill Hart: www.CWAHM.com Joe Wikert: http://jwikert.typepad.com/ Leslie Sowell: http://footprintsinthesand.us/blog Natalie Nyquist: www.ylcf.org Nicole Petrino-Salter: http://hopeofglory.typepad.com/into_the_fire/ Patti Chadwick: http://bookbargainsandpreviews.com/blog/ Patrick Sullivan, Jr.: http://editweapon.com/ Peggy Phifer: http://www.sipsncupscafe.com Shawnee Goodnight: www.readinginappalchia.blogspot.com/ Tammy Marcelain: http://tammymarcelain.blogspot.com/ Ted Reyes: www.poptimesagazine.com

This week on MomCast LIVE we welcomed mom entrepreneurs Ann-Michele Ewert of Jolica.com and Glynnis Whitwer, author of Work @ Home.

With the fundamental belief that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things , Kevin Wayne Johnson lives to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Using literary talents and teachings God s Word, Johnson strives to enlarge Christ s body of believers. Johnson is the eldest son of Ernest and the late Adele Johnson, raised in Richmond, Virginia. He attended and graduated from the Richmond Public School system and Virginia Commonwealth University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/ Management, with a minor in Economics and a Finance concentration. He is the author of the nine-book series entitled Give God the Glory!, a contributing author to two additional books, the recipient of twelve (12) literary/media awards, including 2007 Christian Publisher of the Year and 2006 Gospel Publisher of the Year at Book Expo America, African-American Pavilion. Kevin has hosted talk shows - Give God the Glory! - on the Voice America Internet Talk Radio Network and Black TV On-Line during the 2004 - 2007 seasons, reaching 300,000+ viewers per month. In 2008, his show transitions to www.SpreadingTheLightNetwork.com, where he continues to share the Word of God and interviewing diverse guests that discuss how and why they Give God the Glory!. ShareThis