Beacon2Light

  For Pastors Who Struggle with Criticism, This Book is For You Pastors and Their Critics is a well-thought out, well-rounded treatment on criticism that is directed at pastors. If one were to judge the book simply by its cover, they would come to the conclusion that it sides with the pastor vs. any and all critics. This is simply not so. The authors begin with criticisms leveled at Old Testament heroes. This is a good study in what leading Old Testament figures dealt with in the area of criticism. Moses, David, and Nehemiah are all examined. But before them, the authors show that even God was criticized. Then the work moves to criticisms leveled at Christ. His reactions include silence, meekness and even the calling out of injustice. This is a great summary of what Christ went through and how it applies to us who are criticized. Principles are given to cope with criticism. In this the reader sees that the authors deal with both fair and unfair criticism. It is pointed out...

  Kristen Jane Anderson had a good home. Her experiences were happy until things began to seriously unravel in her teen years. Her grandmom had passed away, her father was diagnosed with depression, a friend committed suicide and then she was raped. Life just didn't seem worth living anymore. Kristen wanted out and her way out seemed to be suicide by train. Her life would be no longer than 17 years. But God had other plans.  Inexplicably, Kristen survived!  Though her bodily trauma now matched, if not exceeded, her mental trauma, she was still alive. At first, this was not a happy result. To Kristen, her mental anguish was now compounded by physical disability. How would she live without her legs! Through many ups and downs, surgeries, professionals of every stripe, Kristen came out of this stronger and happier. Eventually, she came to see the losing of her legs as what God used to draw her to Himself and a life that had meaning and purpose. Increasingly, that purpose was...

One of the ways the Church is failing is in having an ongoing, positive yet biblical relationship with friends, relatives and acquaintances who identify as LGBTQ. Believers in Jesus seem to fall into one of two extremes: either to join in the celebration of that which the Bible obviously doesn’t celebrate or to withdraw in revulsion, contempt and judgment. I think the Jesus way is yet a third option. I believe that Becket Cook’s A Change of Affection helps Bible-believing Christians to choose that third way. I came across an interview with Becket Cook while viewing something else on YouTube. Immediately, I was drawn to the interview. After listening to Cook, I decided that this book was one of those I wanted to read to help me be a more caring, understanding and yet biblical Christian in relation to those I know and care about who identify as LGBTQ. In the book, Cook recounts his life. He goes into his raising and early experiences that he believes helped shape him i...

Prepare for the Christmas season With useful tips and ideas, biblical reminders, and encouragement to view Christmas from a heavenly perspective, Celebrate Christmas covers a wide range of topics to help you prepare for the Christmas season, including: Managing expectations Dealing with in-laws/extended family Offering hope for those who grieve at Christmas Reducing (or avoiding!) holiday stressors Finding ways to serve Jesus by serving others And more This Christmas season, spend time with your family and loved ones focusing on what’s important—worshiping the Savior, helping others, and enjoying the blessings God has given you. Celebrate Christmas , a free e-book from Family Life  Advent Devotional  Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional Kindle Edition $9.17 Hardcover $16.19 The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent  Kindle Edition  $3.99   Paperback $7.99 by  John Piper ...

While areas of Texas and Florida impacted by hurricanes were back on their feet within weeks to a few months, Puerto Rico still languishes a year later. Surely a superpower of our abilities could have done better regardless of the logistics of handling a crisis on the island. Thankfully, there were many who helped. Below you will see some of those described.  I would also encourage you to pay attention to the areas recently impacted by Hurricane Florence. Here is the page from Samaritan's Purse if you would like to help.  Puerto Rico revisited, nearly one year after the hurricane Puerto Rico: 3,000 Churches Damaged, Fewer Christians Left to Rebuild Attendance drops as 400,000 island residents move to the mainland. Christian Aid Ministries Samaritan’s Purse Provides Aid to 351,000 Hurricane Maria Victims in Puerto Rico (Press Release) FCA SERVES PUERTO RICO WITH HURRICANE MARIA RELIEF When disaster hit Puerto Rico, Ricky Ufret engaged FCA in helping...

If the title of this review is the lament of your church, then this book is for you and help is on the way. Thom Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, wrote this book based on information received from hundreds of first-time guests who visited Bible-believing churches. He asked why the guests didn’t return after their first visit. Rainer then listed their top ten responses. This book is a wake-up call to churches who feel that they are friendly churches but may not realize that a first-time visitor may draw the opposite conclusion. This book will help churches see things from the viewpoint of a first-time visitor and improve your church’s appeal to those looking for a house of worship to make their spiritual home. Did you know that opting out of a certain method of getting your name out there or doing it poorly may result in your church not even getting a chance at 7 out of 10 potential visitors? In other words, a large majority of visitors may not even consider ...