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Showing posts from May, 2014

The Call to be a Ragamuffin: A Review of the Movie on Rich Mullins' Life

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I thought this film was absolutely great.  The acting was good and the story was real.  Shocked and saddened at the ghosts of Rich's childhood, if I may use that terminology, I was drawn into the healthy and unhealthy ways he struggled with his raising.   Like the Bible does with its heroes, Ragamuffin doesn't sugarcoat Rich's life.  He struggled with smoking and with alcohol.  His language wasn't always church language, to put it mildly.  One sees someone seeking to be real.  Tired of the masks Christians often put on and the blindness to the call of Christ to provide for the least of these, Rich gives generously to Christian churches and charities while living humbly.  Seeing the poverty of others and the difference he could make in the lives of those with less, Rich Mullins pours himself wholly into ministry.   Just a few other thoughts in closing.  His tragic death is handled well.  In  the special features section, Dav e, Rich's brother, does a

Kindle Deals

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Amounts updated on 05/28/14 Now $3.03 on the Kindle: Composing Amelia: A Novel [Kindle Edition] Published September 1, 2011, 352 pages Can a brand-new marriage withstand the weight of generations-old baggage? Newlyweds Amelia and Marcus Sheffield are recent college grads, trying to stay afloat in LA while searching for their dream jobs. Marcus hopes to become a mega-church pastor. Amelia has an esteemed music degree, and longs to play piano professionally. The Sheffields are clearly city people. But when a small town church offers Marcus a job, the couple’s dedication to their dreams and each other is tested. After a risky compromise is made, Amelia falls into a dark emotional place, where she finds skeletons she’d fought hard to deny. In desperation, she calls out to God. But why can’t she find Him? While Amelia struggles, Marcus learns news that nearly crushes him. He must lean on his faith to withstand the pressure… or risk losing his wife forever. From the daughter of L

Islam's Version of Apostasy and the Heavy Cost, Pastor Saeed Back to Prison, Syrian Women Paying the Price of War, Ukrainian Christians Praying Publicly Under Fire, Crimean Baptists Uncertain of Life Under Russia

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Islam: 'Appalling and Abhorrent' in the Eyes of a Blind World? by Raymond Ibrahim Human Events May 21, 2014 Pastor Saeed Abedini Severely Beaten, Returned to Iranian Prison Source: ACLJ Source Syria: The price of war (for women) PUBLISHED BY  KATEY HEARTH  ON MAY 15, 2014 April 24, 2014 Attacks don’t hinder Ukrainian Christians By Marc Ira Hooks T he following is from the God at Work in Ukraine Facebook page : Yesterday Pastor Sergey Kosyak was beaten by pro-Russian separatist after he went to inquire why they had destroyed the groups public prayer tent and threatened to shoot anyone who gathered for prayer! He was treated in the hospital and later released. DONETSK UPDATE: Pastor Sergey Kosyak writes about the events of 23 May 2014, "Friends, today was a tough day, but for me very difficult. To begin with, representatives of Donetsk People’s Republic destroyed our tent, and then there was t

Baltic States Difficult to Defend, China Massing Troops on Border with Vietnam, What is Wrong at My Church, Things Won't Find in a Godly Marriage, Sudanese Christian Sentenced to Die and a Promise to Beth Are This Week's Websightings

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Hard for NATO to defend Baltic states from Russia: Spiegel From the article:  NATO would struggle to defend the Baltic states from any Russian aggression "with conventional means" Russia is capable of building up a local or regional military threat at short notice and at an arbitrary spot, the draft document continued. However, Europe at the end of the Cold War had concluded that "it could reduce its capabilities for fighting conventional, large scale and high intensity conflicts in Europe." Large number of Chinese troops seen heading for China-Vietnam border POSTED BY CHANKAIYEE2 ⋅ MAY 18, 2014   source From the article: A large number of People’s Liberation Army troops have reportedly been spotted heading towards the China - Vietnam border as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, Thousands of Chinese nationals living or on business in Vietnam have already fled the country amid anti-China riots, which were sparked by a tense

All Alternatives to Jesus Are Thieves -- John 10:1-10

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  John 10:1-10 (NIV) “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10

Moms' Night Out Will Leave You in Stitches

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Note: The trailer for the movie is good in that it doesn't give too much away while revealing the essential plot line. By watching the trailer you might think the movie is border-line funny. If so, you would be wrong, because this movie is a riot.  Moms' Night Out website Allyson is a mom that is on the verge of a nervous break-down. She feels so inadequate compared to other moms. While, to her, they have it all together, she feels she is totally unable to manage her three young children. Her husband encourages her to do something for herself. In response, Allyson decides on a night out with two fellow moms. Well, things don't turn out anything like they had expected. In the end, Allyson learns a very valuable lesson about her importance in general and specifically to her children. She is then able to encourage someone else because she herself has been encouraged. Armed with this new sense of self, Allyson is able to embrace her imperfections and be the

An Inexpensive Tour Through the Holy Land with Bible in Hand

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Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus is a unique devotional book by Dr. Charles Dyer. As its name suggests, it takes the reader through the land in which Jesus was born, grew up and in which He ministered. It is packed with beautiful pictures of the sights of the Holy Land. Part devotional, part commentary and part archaeological treasure trove, this volume will have you returning to your devotions day after day. It is insightful, understandable and a joy to read.  My favorite was "The Puzzling Prophecy: A Messiah from Shoot Town." I highly recommend this work. If you are looking for a new way to study the Bible and like the idea of a one month concentration, this book is for you. I have even marked my Bible with "go to page . . . in Thirty Days by Charles Dyer" in various places. I received this book for review purposes from Moody Publishers See a large sample/excerpt of the book Who is Dr. Charles Dyer ? Dr. Dyer's Facebook page  Buy

Happy Mother's Day! Here is Some Encouragement and Praise for All You Do and Are

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Mother's Day Cookbook Make Easy and Delicious Recipes for Your Mom Under 60 Minutes! [Kindle Edition]   Donna K Stevens   $2.99 What the Bible is All About for Moms: God's Loving Promises for You and Your Family [Kindle Edition] Kathy Pride (Author)  $1.99 The Single Mom's Devotional: A Book of 52 Practical and Encouraging Devotions [Kindle Edition] by Carol Floch   $1.99 CAROL FLOCH has ministered to women in every stage of life for more than 25 years. She has written Bible studies and numerous articles for Focus on the Family’s Single Parent magazine, has led retreats, workshops and support groups, and has mentored women to find deeper hope and security in Jesus. Her most significant and satisfying investment in women has been in her own home, nurturing her three daughters on her own since 2001. Carol is a counselor in private practice in Dallas, Texas, where she helped to design and launch “Parenting Alone,” a communi

Free and Low Cost Christian Kindle Deals, China, Russia, Ukraine, the U.S., Syria, Nigerian Girls Taken Hostage a Turning Point Are This Week's Websightings

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Balancing It All – 99 cents on Kindle Candace Bure Everyday Faith by Pastor John Stange is free on Kindle , 86 pages, 31 day devotional  When Will My Life Not Suck Free on Kindle Ramon Presson, M.S., a clinically certified marriage and family therapist for over twenty years, is the founder of LifeChange Counseling and the Marriage Center of Franklin, TN and also served as a pastor with a special focus in ministry to single and single-again adults for twenty years.   Report shows shocking religious freedom violations in Syria   RUTH KRAMER ON MAY 8, 2014 Check out these stories and reflect upon the fact that World War II consisted of a European theatre and an Asian one.    End of American Military Dominance Hagel announces steep U.S. defense cuts in aircraft, ships, troops, weapons May 8, 6:40 AM EDT PUTIN OVERSEES RUSSIAN NUCLEAR FORCES EXERCISE Putin, speaking from the Defense Ministry's headquarters where he oversaw the exercise along

Studying the Bible is Good for Your Health

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As We See in God's Word, Studying the Bible is Good for Your Health Proverbs 3:5-26 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. 13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length o