The following are some links that I found worth sharing.
The Message of the Bible in 221 Words quote by D.A. Carson - Of course, only the whole Bible gives the entire message, but I thought it was a good overview!
What Did You Expect Book Review by David Forsyth - I thought this was a good review of something that married people would find helpful especially. David Forsyth was a former pastor of mine before moving to TN.
Lets the Whole World Hear - this app looks very interesting if you have an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. It actually has the Gospel in a number of different languages. I think it would be great if they had even more languages included.
The video below from early June was extremely interesting for me to watch / listen to. As you know, I have been interested in China for many years.
You can learn a little more about Bob Fu and the plight of Christians and others in China.
It's also very telling to see how U.S. Presidents have responded to the situation there. While I desire freedom for people in China, I desire most that more people also have the freedom from sin and death that Christ can give. Please watch the video and then follow the link below to see an update on Chen Guangcheng.
The theory of evolution is the idea that one species can gradually change into another entirely.
In the case of this theory, people believe that things improved naturally on their own and became something entirely different. I do understand the theory of evolution to a certain extent, and yes, the fact that there are no half humans helps prove that that is not happening today (which it would be … if it had been fact). There is no proof that it ever happened, as all past supposed finds either proved to be human or animal...not a mixture of both. Things actually go downhill on their own without intervention. They do not improve naturally. Even a person crawls, gets up, then ages and hunches over and gets ill and often becomes like a child again. God chose to reveal Himself to people through His inspired Word the Bible ... through His Son Jesus also His Word to humankind. He also has revealed His existence through what you can see...the heavens and the earth and all that is on the earth. He also makes it clear that the heavens and the earth were created in 6 actual days, since there was evening and morning for each one.
The following are some verses in the Bible that talk about God's existence and Creation:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 NASB
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2 NASB For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NASB
The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him.
All his thoughts are, “There is no God.” Psalm 10:4 NASB The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good. Psalm 14:1 NASB It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom, And by His understanding He stretched out the heavens. Jeremiah 51:15 NASB
You now care about the preborn children or perhaps you have cared for many years, and maybe you want to know some ways that you can help. You may already pray and do some things, but perhaps you would like to know places that you can give to help save a life. Well, that interests me as well. I have given to one organization at times that counsels women who are in crisis pregnancies, and from some other pretty reliable sources I have come across some other places that people can give to. I hope to give to the others myself at some point, although I cannot give a lot. I know there are many good places to give! Some of these I have likely shared before, but I hope that this list will be helpful. This will likely be a reference point for me though for giving for the unborn. You can check them out too and see what you think.
2. Avenues Pregnancy Clinic - This is one that I've given a little to over a number of years. Someone from a church I went to was involved there as well (in California): http://www.avenuespregnancyclinic.com/
Some years back in California, I remember hearing about a soldier who died. His favorite song had been MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine". I believe it was played at his funeral. When I heard about that it really made the song that much more meaningful to me.
You never know when you are going to die. I hope you are ready. http://needGod.com
As a Christian I know that I will go to Heaven when I die, but it's so hard for me to fathom the freedom and complete unfettered joy and awesomeness of being in God's presence in a new way.
While I am often a doctrinely-minded person (if that's a word), I also think there is a place for emotion in worship. Moses glowed after being in God's presence without even seeing His face. When we see Jesus in His glorified state, it will be amazing!
I came across this girl's singing while looking for an entirely different song. While she has yet to reach the point of showing the feeling the words evoke, there was something nostalgic about her singing that I can appreciate. It's good when young people sing songs that honor God. If a person is a true believer, then one day they will realize just how short life is and depraved the world is and look forward more to Heaven and being in the presence of the Lord.
My hands are having a lot of pain lately and my fibromyalgia pain is up in general. Still I wanted to share this particular video that was brought to my attention last week. I know it's controversial, but I agree with what he says on this subject...especially as it agrees with the Bible! I would go further and say that this should include adult Sunday school classes. Below the video I will post the supplemental link.
Whatever you are going through, if you belong to Jesus He will work it out for your ultimate good. This is something I should remind myself of when I start to get anxious instead of trusting God for the future and the what if's.
I find myself struggling with doubts and fears way too often!
I think of different situations when I hear the song Hold On by Peter Furler (which I found a video for with the lyrics online that I'm sharing below).
I have thought of the September 11, 2001 attacks at times while listening to the song as well as the tornadoes that have happened in more recent times.
I believe it could also relate to earthquakes, broken or difficult relationships, persecution, deaths, floods, fires, tsunamis, hurricanes, as well as other stresses of life.
God is Sovereign over all of these things, and for Christians we know that nothing happens that doesn't come first through God. He is trustworthy. So, if we have pain or even die physically, we know that it won't happen apart from His Sovereign plan ... which is good ... even when we can't know all of the results. We can trust God to either lift us out of or take us through all difficult situations.
I also know that during these times God is purifying us like gold or silver in a fire to better reflect our Lord's Image and remove our impurities. We are like diamonds made to shine brighter. Trials often point out our sin to us (not trusting, anger, impatience, lack of obedience, being unloving or unforgiving). They also give opportunity to have our faith shine and to glorify God better.
Whatever the trial, I'm thankful that it doesn't have to be wasted. It's a test, and if we hold on to Jesus we can't go wrong.
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.Philippians 3:12 NASB
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9 NASB
How To Start at Your New Church - Kevin DeYoung This article is worth reading, although for some of us it's not so simple. When you live far away or are disabled or limited, it's not so easy to be able to get involved the same way.
The Big Deal About Profanity - Randy Alcorn / Craig Groeschel Do you watch movies or TV? This article is for you. I can definitely relate as being someone who didn't have a TV in the home for most of my growing up years. I can relate to what Randy Alcorn said especially. This is something that most Christians ignore it seems.
Bible Reliability: M-A-P-S to Guide You through Bible Reliability - Hank Hanegraaff Years ago I used to listen regularly to the Bible Answerman radio broadcast. While I didn't always agree with everything said, I learned a lot of things that have been useful to me as a Christian throughout the years. I recently have used some from this acronym that I learned back then.
Many people have watched the videos catching "Planned Parenthood" in the act of going along with abortions of girl babies. Sadly, it isn't surprising. If people can take a human life of a baby in the womb for disability or any other reason, then why not gender? America has already gone down the slippery slope of moral relativism and away from the ultimate standard of what God says about life and murder in His Word.
After watching this video, I highly recommend watching the "180" Movie documentary below it to see the process of what devaluing human life was like in the past and how history repeats itself in many ways. Also, there is a potentially life saving message if you watch the whole thing! If you have trouble getting one of the videos in, just try refreshing the page.
If you do not speak English: ”180” Movie is available with closed captioning in 30 languages so far:
1) English
2) Spanish (Mexico)
3) French
4) German
5) Hungarian
6) Russian
7) Korean
8) Japanese
9) Italian
10) Polish
11) Albanian
12) Croatian
13) Estonian
14) Latvian
15) Norwegian
16) Romanian
17) Slovak
18) Swedish
19) Dutch
20) Chinese Simplified
21) Chinese Traditional
22) Afrikaans
23) Japanese
24) Bulgarian
25) Zulu
26) Czech
27) Filipino
28) Greek
29) Portuguese (Brazil)
30) Portuguese (Portugal)
To access the Closed Captions in your language Click on the “CC” on the video at the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwI and find and select your language. Please share with all of your friends.