Beacon2Light

Are you feeling like you wish you could win the lottery? Check out the stories of some of these “winners.” It may give you pause and reason to give thanks. Lottery Winners Share Hard Lessons $500 Million Powerball Jackpot: The Tragic Stories of the Lottery’s Unluckiest Winners Need a little proof that money doesn't buy happiness? For these 10 lottery winners, cashing in turned out to have been the worst decision of their lives. Also, remember that there are a lot of losers to produce just one to a handful of winners. From where do you think all those millions come? You are much more likely to be a loser every time you play for the rest of your life than you are to have some of the following happen to you:  11 Things More Likely to Happen to You Than Winning  the Powerball Jackpot Lotteries are clever in building up people’s hopes. They keep that hope alive with a little “winning” here and there. Just how much did you spend in lottery tickets before and af...

This deal at Amazon came to my attention this morning from someone else'e site.  So, I pass it on to you.

According to the article, Dr. Mark Laaser "lived a secret life that included pornography, affairs, and encounters with prostitutes. Today, 12 years into recovery and a healed marriage, Laaser heads the Christian Alliance for Sexual Recovery, lecturing and conducting workshops around the world. He has worked with hundreds of addicts and their families and has consulted with many church congregations and pastors after their clerics' sexual sins were exposed." The piece is in a question and answer format and ends with the following helpful assessments: Signs you are at risk for sex addiction Warning signs your spouse may have a secret cybersex problem What to do if you suspect you are a sex addict. Here is the article link: Cybersex Temptation | Today's Christian Woman Laaser's Christian Alliance for Sexual Recovery (888-HELPHOPE). His books that you may find helpful:  

When Friendships Go too Far | Today's Christian Woman Although I am uncomfortable with how far she goes in the God Will Be Your Husband section, Heather Riggleman has some valuable things to say about how she began to get into trouble with a man not her husband and how to seek to avoid it and/or come back from it, including building up a good marital relationship

Beauty for Ashes: First World Problems My friend Shay posted this and I think it illustrates how much we in the USA have for which to be grateful.

America's hope will not come by force of arms but by fervency of prayer Not by the election of mere men, women and political parties But by the sovereign providence of God and spiritual power It is not a takeover of Washington and state capitols that is needed But the salvation of men's and women's hearts that is desired This battle is not one of flesh and blood and ballots and polls But one of Spirit and grace and mercy and holiness America doesn't need a political transition from one party to the next She needs a spiritual transformation from sinners to saints So let's not start a new political party or transfer from one to another Instead, let us bow the knee in prayer and turn our hearts to God Let's not talk secession and a new civil war between Red and Blue But let's work toward reconciliation with the Prince of Peace And redouble our allegiance to Him King Jesus we seek!  Not by political campaigns or sl...

Click here:  Good News of Great Joy A special thank you goes to our friends at Desiring God Ministries

Economically, relationally and physically these are tough days for many people.  To many, it would seem a bad year to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Perhaps some would have liked to have forgotten it and held out hope for better next year.  Yet, we are to give thanks in everything and at all times.  So what is thanksgiving?  It's A Time to Reflect It's A Time to Reject and It's A Time to Renew It's a Time to Reflect It's a time to reflect on the people , past   and present who have enriched our lives (Phil. 1:3; 1 Th. 3:9-10).  Each of us could easily think of individuals who have blessed us.  Some have gone on to their eternal destinies while others are still with us.  In either case, it is not a time to be sad or depressed for who is missing but to be grateful for the time that we had with them and the blessing they brought us (or for those who are still with us -- that they still bring us today).   It's a time to...

Helping others in need goes back to the beginning of the Church. In this passage, the believers in one location helped their less fortunate brethren in another in a very big way. And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11:27-30 (NKJV) When is the last time that you had more than enough and you felt God's leading to do something big for a brother or sister who had little? Perhaps God is moving you to do something for someone this Christmas. Listen to God's prompting and be blessed by blessing another. If you have ever supplied for someone else's lack, you know what that me...

Free e-booklet (21 pages) to help wives understand their men in the arena of that three letter word. It begins with S has an X at the end and a vowel in the middle ;) Sometimes ladies aren't in the mood, argues Aileen Challies, but there is a way to postpone and there is a way to reject.  The right wording and attitude can make all the difference.  She dives into the heart and mind of a man and argues that it is not about release but about connection, giving and receiving love.  When a man's advances are rejected, he feels personally rejected. Here are a couple of quotes: The fact is that your husband wants both the physical release and the relational intimacy he finds in your arms. He wants you, body, soul and spirit and he wants to give you his body, soul and spirit. He needs you to be willing to both give and receive. The physical desire he feels is a kind of trigger to remind him to seek this connection with you. It is a reminder and motivator to him that he ...

I saw this on a fellow blogger's site, http://www.challies.com, and thought I would share it with you.  Enjoy and remember the reason for the season. Hopefully, you have a much deeper and more meaningful view of God.  To Him be the glory.   Anti-Santy Ranty from 10ofthose.com on Vimeo .

A survey is being conducted by Thomas Nelson Bibles on Bible reading and translations.  They would like to have some people take a few minutes (10-15 minutes maximum) to fill out an online survey. As a thank you, three FREE e-book downloads will be given to you via your email in pdf format.  If you get the same ones I did, they include the following:  1) All You Want to Know But Didn't Think You Could Ask (a book on cults, world religions and even pop-culture  religions and beliefs like Jediism and Vampirism) 2) The Expanded Bible, New Testament 3) Nelson's Complete Book                              of Bible Maps and Charts (as I remember, a group of you got the Gospels section of this resource free from an earlier offer.  This is the entire resource) Obviously, the reason for the survey is to assist Thomas Nelson in understanding Bible readers' desires/...

Great deal especially when combined with your free shipping.   Get this in hardcover for $5!   Add other great deals at 50% off or greater from Christian Book Distributor's Markdowns Get free shipping code from:   Free Shipping for Early Christmas Shoppers with Christian Book Distributors  (note:  you will need to spend at least $35 and use the code by Dec. 6)

Jehoram, who even recognizes the name of this king of Judah? He was the son of Jehoshaphat, a much better known king of Judah. Jehoshaphat was a good ruler. In fact, this is what is recorded of his reign: Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:3-6 (NKJV) Not so, his son. Note what is said of him: Now when Jehoram was established over the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself and killed all his brothers with the sword, and also others of the princes of Israel.  Jehoram was thirty-two years old wh...

What will the Boomers' legacy be?  What can individual Boomers do about it?  And for us not of the Boomer generation, before we stick out our bony accusing fingers, how are we doing?  Is there time to change and what would it look like?  What spiritual legacy are we all leaving and how does it spill out and overflow into the other areas of our lives? Her.meneutics: Exposing the Sins of the Baby Boomers

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18) Guest Blog Post By Sheri Rose Shepherd Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach (Disclaimer:  what I have seen from Sheri Rose Shepherd has been very good, including this article.  I don't know enough about her to heartily endorse her so I encourage my readers to do their own research) When I was a new Christian, it never occurred to me to change the way I dressed or flirted; after all, I was single, so why shouldn't I dress the way I wanted and get whatever attention I could? I had worked hard to lose over fifty pounds and get in shape. I was finally thin for the first time. Then one day, about a year into my walk with God, my young singles pastor came up to me after our church service and politely asked me if I could come to church dressed more modestly. He told me I was distracting him and some of the young men in...

Great blog post on fear-mongering among believers about the election and direction of our country.  The only point of departure for me is the one about being around when Anti-Christ comes.  I believe in the Rapture of the Church, so I don't fear being here then.  However, otherwise, I am in total agreement. Borrowed Light: Fear-Mongering and Kingdom Loyalties See Pastor Jeffress' comments here: Robert Jeffress' Statement that Obama Paves Way for Anti-Christ

Good News!  Extended through December 6! Just place an order from Christian Book Distributors of $35 or more before 11:59 PM EST on December 6, 2012, enter promotion code 392141, and choose standard shipping. Also, now use the code as often as you like as long as each order totals $35 and it is by 11:59 PM EST on Dec. 6, 2012 Terms and conditions : Cannot be combined with any other offers. Applies to U.S. delivery addresses only. Applies to standard shipping only. Cannot be used on orders already placed, or on backorders. Order must total at least $35.00, excluding shipping fees or taxes, in order to qualify for this offer. Offer expires at 11:59 PM EST on 12/6/12. Previous Deal:   Get Free Standard Shipping when you spend $35.00 or more at Christianbook.com ! Just enter promotion code 392137EGBFDG when you begin checkout. This promotion code can be used on ONE order placed by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday November 23, 2012.

Jerry Bridges is a well known and well respected author and Bible teacher.  His most popular work has sold over one million copies.  Currently, he works with the Navigators collegiate ministry. In this book, Jerry Bridges shows the reader what he has learned about God's sovereignty in our suffering.  A very relevant subject at a great price of free for a limited time. If you see this offer after the free period expires, at $9.99, it is still worth considering.

"A History of Ancient Israel and Judah, Second Edition" by J. Maxwell Miller and John H. Hayes is published by Westminster John Knox Press. This review is based on the Kindle edition that I received from Edelweiss in exhange for a review. The thoughts expressed in this review are mine alone. The volume, whether in print or in Kindle form, is massive. It has lots of information in it and contains vibrant pictures. I was very pleased by what was presented in pictorial form and the clarity by which they appeared in the Kindle edition. A negative that immediately appeared for the e-book version was how the text was abruptly broken up for ancillary information. In places, it wasn't even terribly clear what the information was that produced the break in the reading. This happens throughout the Kindle version. While I found some content that was very informative, I was taken aback by what I viewed as a tendency of the authors to choose deductions based on epigraphs (ins...

Guest blog post by Sheri Rose Shepherd  Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach Author of Your Heart's Desire The  Tyndale Blog Network  has allowed me to feature a few articles from Sheri Rose Shepherd.  I previewed this and thought that this may be helpful to those struggling with forgiveness.  Let me know what you think. Disclaimer:  though I did a bit of research on Mrs. Shepherd, I leave it up to the blog reader to do his or her own digging on this author and to come to one's own conclusion.  Nothing that I have found has been of any concern.  And this piece is worth the reading, enjoy! When you have dedicated your life to loving, encouraging, praying for, and pouring yourself into your husband, only to watch him, in a moment of weakness, destroy the foundation you worked so hard to build, you may feel as if your entire world has been wiped out. If this describes you, I invite you to read a real-life love story tha...

"My family, my siblings, come first. I love them more than they could ever fathom and I am ready and willing to put any amount of weight on my shoulders to lessen the load on theirs. They are children who deserve to be kids and enjoy the life they have lying before them. I am going to be strong for them. I am going to be wise. I am going to be patient. But I won't be naive, and I won't say that I don't need help." -- Zoe Everett See the story at  After Hurricane Sandy kills parents, Rutgers student must raise 3 siblings

I am not a fan of this book.  Like many, it had some very helpful advice.  It did remind me of things that I ought to be doing or doing more often.  However, at times, I felt like Robert Morris had something against small churches and their pastors, seeing their size as evidence of lack of fruit and even giftedness or calling.  While not a blatant emphasis, there seemed to be the undercurrent of the health and wealth (a.k.a. prosperity) gospel; that if your church is thriving, then you are doing what God wants and if not, then the reason you are not flourishing lies in your unfaithfulness or lack of stewardship.  I would say that the book is helpful if you are starting a church.  All of the information and teaching on boards and the church’s organizational structure is fine if you are dealing with a ministry start-up or a church that is desperate to turn around.  For everyone else, that whole section is pretty much wishful thinking to get accom...

Here are some resources for the International Day for the Persecuted Church: Ministries: Open Doors USA Voice of the Martyrs Free Prayer Resources:  60 Day (Nov-Dec 2012) Prayer Calendar in pdf (may open only/best in Internet Explorer -- http://www.opendoorsusa.org:81/downloads/pdf-downloads/60-day-prayer-calendar.pdf  ) World Watch List (select "Download the List" in the upper right hand corner) World Watch List web-based resource One With Them website Bulletin inserts, Sermon notes and "powerful" videos

The  Tyndale Blog Network  has allowed me to feature a few articles from Sheri Rose Shepherd.  I previewed this and thought that this may be helpful to singles out there who read this blog or have friends or family that do.  Let me know what you think. Disclaimer: though I did a bit of research on Mrs. Shepherd, I leave it up to the blog reader to do his or her own digging on this author and to come to one's own conclusion.  Nothing that I have found has been of any concern.  And this piece is worth the reading, enjoy! An Article for Singles By Sheri Rose Shepherd, Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach I have been married twenty-five years, and my husband and I joke that it has been seven of the best years of our lives. Why is it that we spend so much time searching for someone to share life with, and so many times the dream of wanting and wondering becomes better than the reality of the man or the marriage? I believe when a ma...