Beacon2Light

When I got the chance to review The Chronological Life Application Study Bible , I jumped at the chance. I have wanted a chronological Bible of my own for some time but I had not committed to one. Tyndale offers it in the King James Version and the New Living Translation. Since I am very familiar with the KJV , I decided to get it in the NLT so that I could make that part of my review as well. The Chronological Life Application Study Bible does not disappoint. I was excited when it arrived and I continue to be excited about this resource. My family gave me a copy of the Life Application Bible when I became ordained. This Bible, however, has the Life Application notes inside of it. For those who don’t know, the Life Application Bible is heavy, literally, with character profiles a-plenty. Its notes also focus on the application of the biblical text to believers’ lives. The Life Application portion of this Bible is study Bible enough to add to one’s library. The fact t...

Christianish: What If We're Not Really Following Jesus at All? [Kindle Edition] Mark Steele (Author) 4.4 out of 5 stars Digital List Price:  $14.99 Kindle Price:  $0.00 · Length: 289 pages Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest [Kindle Edition] Edward T. Welch (Author) List Price: $15.99   Kindle Price: $0.00   Length: 328 pages   In his new release, Running Scared, Edward T. Welch investigates the roots of fear in the human soul and the ramifications of living in the grips of anxiety, worry, and dread. Welch encourages readers to discover for themselves that the Bible is full of beautiful words of comfort for fearful people (and that every single person is afraid of something). Within the framework of thirty topical meditations, Welch offers sound biblical theology and moment-by-moment, thoughtful encouragement for life-saving rescue in the midst of the heart and mind battlefield of rampant panic-stricken response...

It is true that children get their spiritual cues from their mom and dad. What are your children picking up about the value of God, Church and living for Him?  What are mine picking up from me? Mary and Joseph made it clear that they weren't going to be Jews in name only. They were deeply religious, believing in God's purposes and following His will. It was the will of God that Jesus be born to such a woman and have as his legal, adoptive father such a man. Read more from: Luke 2:21-24 How are your children benefiting from having you as their parents?  In what ways are you helping to shape them toward God?  We need to be diligent and to work with purpose to see our kids grow up in the faith.  This is not something that we can delegate to Sunday School teachers, the pastor of our church and others outside of ourselves.  It is our job.   From Deuteronomy 6: 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!  5 You shall love the Lord your God with...

The Global War on Christians by John L. Allen is a 2013 addition to the body of works addressing persecution. So why should you read this one and not one or more of the others? I believe it is because Allen’s treatment of the ongoing crisis of persecution is both traditional and unique. As do many of the other authors of books on persecution, Allen presents a world-wide, extensive, view of what has been happening. For his purposes, Allen’s focus is on the past twenty years. What is different about Allen’s work is quite compelling. He differentiates the political “war on Christians” from the worldwide phenomenon he calls “the global war on Christians.” Persecution is defined by the author, not in the typical, logical sense but in a more comprehensive and perhaps somewhat more controversial sense. Unlike other works, Allen dives into the historical and political backgrounds to the persecution in each region and country profiled. Bucking the trend of other works on persecution, ...

Note: picture is an Amazon pic not a hyper-link Updated:  Free e-Book from Amazon Indescribable by Matt Redman and Louie Giglio Until January 3rd -- save up to 80% off of Christian e-books Via Amazon includes Berenstain Bears for children via Barnes and Noble via Christian Book Distributors via Apple iBooks

Relationships: A Mess Worth Making [Kindle Edition] Free for a limited time Timothy S. Lane (Author), Paul David Tripp (Author) While skillfully identifying the deeper issues that keep relationships less than they are designed to be, Tim Lane and Paul Tripp show readers how to experience the other side of relationships as well. They convincingly testify of the power of God's presence to bring believers to the place where: Conflicts actually get resolved Tough conversations turn out positive Forgiveness is granted and real love is expressed and shared Casual relationships mature into deep friendships Weaknesses are overlooked and strengths are applauded People are honest without being mean Timothy S. Lane, M.Div., D.Min., is Executive Director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF), a faculty member, and a counselor with twenty-five years of experience, including ten years as a pastor. He is the coauthor of the books How People Change and Rela...

'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson will remain on show, A&E says Gael Fashingbauer CooperTODAY 'Duck Dynasty' verdict analysis: Why A&E backed down By James Hibberd on Dec 27, 2013 at 8:09PM @james_hibberd Duck Dynasty Link to 'IStandWithPhil.Com' on Twitter Restored; Social Network Offers Apology for Flagging Link as 'Spam' Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson breaks his silence: Reality show star says he’s 'a lover not a hater' but REFUSES to back down from anti-gay comments   -- Daily Mail Online article Yesterday Entertainment Weekly claimed that despite his suspension, Robertson will be back on the hugely popular show – which regularly pulls in 12 million viewers – when filming recommences in January. Yesterday it was revealed one company, Cracker Barrel had dropped the Louisiana family. But after threats of a boycott they almost immediately reversed their decision, releasing a statement, saying: ‘You told us we made a mis...

Duck Dynasty and the Scourge of Fundamentalist Intolerance by Jerry Walls The recent suspension of “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson is the latest high profile instance of the ironic phenomenon of left wing fundamentalism in the guise of tolerance. So-called fundamentalist Christians have long been the object of scorn for their narrow minded attitudes and self-righteous treatment of those with whom they disagree. It is the deepest of ironies that those on the left who detest fundamentalists mimic them so exactly when they have the power to do so. Dr. Jerry Walls is Professor in Philosophy at Houston Baptist University (see other Christian and political leaders' take on the controversy here )  Another liberal who is truly tolerant (evidently they are few and far between) comes out against A&E's action against Phil Robertson see liberal blogger, Brandon Ambrosino, do the same here Lesbian Activist Blasts A&E for Suspending 'Duck Dynasty...

Update:  Robertson Family Statement The Interview Heard ‘Round the Web A&E Capitulates to Intolerant Group and Puts Phil on Indefinite Hiatus My reaction (the reaction from others follows mine and a liberal, who may actually deserve the label "tolerant," follows theirs):   How many of you think if Phil Robertson were an atheist and he said similar things just as straight-forward and blunt about conservative Christians that A&E would've suspended him, even with a great Christian backlash? People complain about the hold on the culture that Christians supposedly have. How about this hold on the culture? Look up the percentages of those who are homosexual, lesbian, transgender, etc. That is some amazing power coming from such a small group. I could see trying to get him to apologize. I'm sure they could wrangle out of him an apology like, "Look, I'm not going to apologize for being a Christian or for believing the Bible and what it sa...

The MacArthur Study Bible, NIV  [Kindle Edition] John MacArthur (Editor) 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews ( 4 customer reviews ) Print List Price: $49.99 Kindle Price: $4.99 You Save: $45.00 (90%) Sold by: HarperCollins Christian Publishing Length: 2304 pages  The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV [Kindle Edition] John MacArthur  (Editor) $4.99 Holy Bible - ESV MacArthur Study Bible [Kindle Edition] John MacArthur  (Editor) $5.00 Note those prices when contrasted with the same Bible in the NASB: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASB   [Kindle Edition] John MacArthur (Author, Editor) 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews ( 175 customer reviews ) Print List Price: $74.99 Kindle Price: $19.99 Other greatly priced alternatives study Bible HCSB Study Bible   [Kindle Edition] Holman Bible Editorial Staff (Author, Editor) 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews ( 172 customer reviews ) Digital List Price: $9.99  Print Li...

Update: Latest school shooting in Colorado   'His intent was evil': Colorado high school gunman intended to shoot numerous people, sheriff says By Daniella Silva, NBC News He shot Claire Esther Davis , 17, who just happened to be sitting nearby with a friend as he headed toward the library. The girl suffered severe head trauma and remains in critical condition at Littleton Adventist Hospital.   "Our beautiful daughter Claire Davis has severe head trauma as a result of a gunshot. She needs your continued prayers," the family statement read.  Note:  The lone gunman killed himself after shooting Claire though clearly armed to do much more.  Thanks to the actions of an officer, the results were far less than the carnage he apparently wished to unleash.  Please join me in praying for Claire and all those impacted by this act of violence. image location Join me in praying for the families of Newtown who will experience their second Christma...

Thought:  Just because you can doesn't mean you must. In other words, your ability to do what someone asks of you doesn't mean that you must do it.  Frequently, especially during the busy Christmas season, these requests come at the most inconvenient of times.  Yet, how many of you (or someone you dearly love) do it anyway? Here's a difficult truth:  When you can't say "No" to others you indirectly say, "No" to . . .  Yourself You say "No" to a full night's sleep You say "No" to any discretionary time you may have had Your Immediate Family Who do you think, besides yourself, gets the short end of the stick when you rob your margin by saying "Yes" to those to whom you should say "No"? Challenge: This Christmas say "No" to someone to whom you could say "Yes." This is especially true for those of you who have a Christmas season (like every other Christmas season for as lo...

Joseph Was a Religious Man (18-19) 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 1. He became betrothed to a Jewish girl (18) a. a representative of the groom and the parents of the bride were involved in the process b. it was confirmed by oaths and presents to the bride and the bride’s parents (dowry) c. it was celebrated by a feast d. Often, it was customary to place a ring on the bride’s finger (sign of love and fidelity) e. to the Jews, betrothal was part of the marriage process f. a change of intent by either party was very serious g. an abrupt end to the betrothal could only be done through the man giving his wife a certificate of divorce h. a Jewish betrothal usually lasted for a year i. during that time they ...

Image source Jupiter, King of the Planets and Testament to Our Creator Exposing the Dark World of Human Trafficking (Part 1 of 2) Exposing the Dark World of Human Trafficking (Part 2 of 2) Christianity Under Attack at the Movies by Ken Ham From the article: An atheist movie that is being shown in a number of movie theaters across America had its public premier last week. Produced in a documentary style, The Unbelievers costars the well-known atheists Richard Dawkins of England and Lawrence Krauss of Arizona State University. These atheists have continued increasing their attacks on Christians in the Western world and more aggressively than ever proclaiming their anti-God religion. Our experience with many atheists has been that because they really have nothing to promote except meaninglessness and hopelessness, and they really have become focused on attacking Christians. They usually use ad hominem attacks, blaspheme God, and utter numerous curse words. It seems to me they go ...