Beacon2Light

From Abuse to a Single-Mother Home to the US Senate: An American Redemption Story Sen. Scott's speech , above all the others at the GOP nomination convention of 2020, made me think with surprise and admiration, "He almost persuaded me to be a Trump supporter!" That is the tact and persuasive power of this man. That and other things that I had heard in the news made me want to read his book by someone exploring a candidacy for President of the United States.  Sen. Tim Scott's America, A Redemption Story is my favorite book by a political leader to date. In it, he shows that he is able to recognize the racial tensions and difficulties in our country while acknowledging and celebrating the progress gained over our history. From his family's experiences, he aptly demonstrates how much America has changed toward redemption from his grandfather's years to his mother's and then to his own experience and beyond. Scott's glimpses at his own history as well as t...

  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 ...

Angels in the Sky: How a Band of Volunteer Airmen Saved the New State of Israel   is a great book I would recommend. If you love history, love Israel and marvel at the miracle of the Jewish nation’s rebirth and successful fight for survival, this book is for you. It is an especially appropriate read as we near the 70th anniversary of Israel’s independence. It was only a few years after the Holocaust when the Jews declared their independence on May 14, 1948. The modern state of Israel was born. However, five neighbors were determined to defeat the new country and the balances were weighed heavily against her. One of the reasons for this was that each of those nations had well-equipped militaries while Israel did not and international law forbade the importation of arms and able bodied men into the area of conflict. However, Jews and Gentiles, many of whom fought in World War II, volunteered to be the fledgling air force of the new Jewish state. Amazing efforts were brought...

Free Warren Wiersbe's Exodus from his Bible study series Amazon also on Google Play, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook and Faithlife Jim Burns and Doug Fields' Getting Ready for Marriage for $2.99 Amazon also on Google Play, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook and Faithlife It's Not My Fault: The No-Excuse Plan for Overcoming Life's Obstacles for $4.99 Amazon  also in hardcover from as low as 25 cents Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah for 99 cents Amazon Note: look for other Edersheim works for 99 cents when you click on the link

Billy Graham: A guidestar for preachers, as well as millions of followers by ALEX JOHNSON and PHIL MCCAUSLAND America's Pastor: Billy Graham and the Shaping of a Nation  by Dr. Grant Wacker , Duke Divinity School Just As I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham   by Billy Graham I read this after I borrowed it from our local library years ago. It is a very good read. The Billy Graham Library Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s invocation at Madison Square Garden Crusade in 1957  Russell Moore on Billy Graham's Life and Influence A Farewell to Billy Graham, pt. 1 of his memorial service (above) A Farewell to Billy Graham, pt. 2 of his memorial service (above) Go inside the story of an unlikely messenger who touched the world with the message of Christ. "Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey" airs Sunday, March 4 at 7 p.m. ET on Fox.

$1.99 Amazon Barnes and Noble iBooks Christianbook.com Even though he was born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic created a "ridiculously good life." But after dating disappointments and a failed relationship, he reached his mid-twenties worried that he would never find a woman to love him and share his life. Then Nick met Kanae and everything changed. But even with undeniable chemistry, they would have to navigate twists and turns worthy of a romantic comedy before becoming "one" in marriage. In Love Without Limits Nick and Kanae tell how they improbably found each other, fell in love, and then fought to overcome skepticism from others about their relationship. Filled with practical insights that will benefit any couple, this inspiring book describes a godly courtship and the early years of the Vujicics' marriage and parenting journey. $1.99 Amazon Barnes and Noble iBooks Christianbook.com With astonishing vulnerability that engages readers fr...

Logos Free book of the month: The NIV Application Commentary on Mark . (currently $22.99 on Kindle) Logos also allows you to add on Job at $1.99 in the same series and/or 1 Peter for $2.99 I Will Follow You, O God: Embracing Him as Lord in Your Private Worship   Kindle Edition by Jerry Bridges $1.99 also in iBooks, Barnes and Noble and Christianbook.com Battling Unbelief John Piper Kindle edition for $1.99 No one sins out of duty. We sin because it offers some promise of happiness. That promise enslaves us, until we believe that God is more desirable than life itself (Psalm 63:3). Only the power of God’s superior promises in the gospel can emancipate our hearts from servitude to the shallow promises and fleeting pleasures of sin. Delighting in the bounty of God’s glorious gospel promises will free us for a less sin-encumbered life, to the glory of Christ. Rooted in solid biblical reflection, this book aims to help guide you through the battles to the joys of vic...

The American Red Cross Click here to donate online To donate by check or to a specific cause, please complete this donation form by printing and mailing to: American Red Cross PO Box 37839 Boone, IA 50037-0839 To donate by phone or to get assistance with your donation, please contact them at 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669). You can also reach them at: Español: 1-800-435-7669 TDD Operator: 1-800-220-4095 Samaritan's Purse click here to donate online From the ministry site: Hurricane Harvey, a devastating Category 4 storm, hit the Texas coast on August 25. Many areas were battered, and Houston is experiencing catastrophic flooding. As waters recede, Samaritan's Purse U.S. Disaster Relief teams will fan out across affected areas and bring relief to homeowners in Jesus' Name. Specifically, our volunteers will tarp roofs, cut trees, and perform mud-outs—tearing out waterlogged walls and flooring and taking damaged belongings to the curb....

$8.99 Kindle version $9.29 paperback CBD The Rage Against God by Peter Hitchens is a book by the brother of leading atheist Christopher Hitchens . In it, he describes his religious upbringing and his turn from the Christian faith to atheism. Instead of the doctrines and dogmas of Christianity, Hitchens latches onto some secular idols. From there he traces his journey from having those idols fail him while finding his way, grudgingly, back to the Christian fold. With new-found eyes, Hitchens details his attitudes and behaviors while an atheist. He spares no judgment of his former self. His self-criticism is as sharp as was his tongue against anyone who espoused Christian faith. One of the saddest parts of the book is where he gives his assessment of Christopher ever becoming a Christian. He recalls opportunities to debate his brother and people wanting them to go after each other viciously. However, a few days before, a decision and subsequent time together changed the tone of ...

Be Decisive by Warren Wiersbe This commentary on Jeremiah is free on Kindle A Life for Christ: What the Normal Christian Life Should Look Like D.L. Moody free on Kindle The Truth about Forgiveness by John MacArthur $1.99 4 books in one for $1.99 John MacArthur

Life After Lust  free kindle edition Recovery from sexual addiction is difficult, possible, and worth the effort. Forest knows. He’s been there. Once shackled by shame and secrecy, sex addiction therapist Forest Benedict writes candidly about his personal recovery journey, sharing many science-based strategies for successful recovery. Life After Lust provides a clear recovery roadmap for men and women ready to embark on the heroic path from pain to purpose. All who seek a renewed vision for recovery will find help and hope within the pages of this book. No Compromise: the Life Story of Keith Green $1.99 on kindle He was only twenty-eight when he died in a plane crash with two of his small children, but singer/songwriter Keith Green had already created a legacy of music and inspiration that would outlive him. A spiritual revolutionary, he found freedom through Jesus, not religion, and spent his last years convincing others to refuse to accept the status quo and...

(photo credit: Ron Edmonds/AP ) From a young age, I was attracted to politics. I remember rooting for Gerald Ford vs. Carter while still in elementary school. I remember Carter crying at his loss to Reagan. And even though I couldn’t vote for Reagan in either 1980 or 1984, I was a supporter so to speak. In fact, I joined the Army Reserve partly due to patriotism, a spirit that Reagan seemed to help stir up during his presidency. Del Quentin Wilber’s book informed me about things regarding this attempt on Reagan’s life and his presidency that I did not know. I remember the attempt on his life but I had no idea how close we came to losing him until reading this book. Also, I was shocked to see how close that attempt was to the assassination of J.F.K. I recalled that James Brady was forever changed by the bullet that struck his brain, however, Rawhide Down goes into details about his injuries and how that evolved into the controversial Brady Bill . Reagan was transfor...

Church Members, Here Are 10 Ways to KILL Your Church By Tejado Hanchell -May 8, 2017 Ravi Zacharias: Millennials Have Abandoned the Church and Christian Sexual Ethics to Seek Answers and Fulfillment—They Have Found Neither By Megan Briggs -May 15, 2017 East Africa famine: worst humanitarian crisis since World War II 20 million stand at risk of starvation in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen Samaritan's Purse Delivers Food to Many in Famine-Stricken South Sudan FEBRUARY 21, 2017 • SOUTH SUDAN 10 Christian Apps Forgiving the Past, Embracing the Future In a discussion based on her book Forgive, Let Go and Live, best-selling author Deborah Smith Pegues explains what forgiveness is and isn't, and highlights the rewards of having a forgiving spirit. She offers practical suggestions for going through the process of forgiveness.

Frank Peretti's Illusion $1.99 Amazon Kindle The Argument Free Marriage $2.99 on Kindle 30 Days to Understand the Bible  $1.99 on Kindle 7 Prayers That Will Change Your Life Forever  $1.99  Stormie Omartian  Fight: Winning the Battles That Matter Most $2.99 Case for Christ: The Student Edition 99 cents

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus $2.99 on Amazon A Shiver of Wonder: A Life of C.S. Lewis  by Dereck Bingham 99 cents on Amazon The Autobiography of George Muller 99 cents on Amazon Experiencing the Cross by Henry Blackaby $1.99 Amazon   Jesus Christ died not so that you would recognize a historical fact. Or memorize a particular doctrine. Or continue with life as is. No, Christ’s death was God’ s decisive deed in your life, conquering sin once and for all. The cross beckons you every day, with power to transform every detail of your existence as you begin to see Calvary from God’s perspective. Henry Blackaby leads you on an exploration through the deeper dimensions of the cross, ensuring that the further you go, the more you will: - Deal radically and completely with sin - Embrace a true and lasting union with Christ - Experience the fullness and reality of His victory in your life - And much more Will you yield to God...