Why would I offer this? Money of course! You get the books at no extra cost and I get a (small) commission. So, help a blogger out! Visit Living Hope Book Store today.
Never miss another post here at Living Hope,
Friday, December 31, 2010
Living Hope Book Store
Well if you've ever read a book review here at Living Hope and thought, "Where can I get a copy of that for myself?" I have good news. Living Hope Book Store is ready to meet your needs. In it you will find all those great books in one place courtesy of Amazon. You get Amazon's great prices all from one convenient location. Just follow the link in this post or the link at the top of the sidebar here at the site.
Why would I offer this? Money of course! You get the books at no extra cost and I get a (small) commission. So, help a blogger out! Visit Living Hope Book Store today.
Why would I offer this? Money of course! You get the books at no extra cost and I get a (small) commission. So, help a blogger out! Visit Living Hope Book Store today.
Do you still have your first love?
On Leaving My First Love
The link above leads to a great post by C Michael Patton from over at Parchment and Pen. I love his posts. He is a great theological thinker and teacher. I've listened to all 60 lessons of the Theology Program he created. Well, the free audio he graciously provides. I hope to one day afford the lessons and text and workbooks for the program. Yes, I am a nerd!
What I like best about his writing is that even with his dedication to high theology, he writes about real life. He isn't afraid to face his thoughts and emotions. So many times people who hold these views seem to just ignore anything in life that doesn't easily fit in with their views. They come off sounding perfect and all together, but in truth they are only lying to themselves and others.
In this post he talks of losing his first love. Revelation 2:4 ESV
He expresses how even though he maintained a strong conviction for doctrine and truth and truly believed it, yet his trust in those truths and in God to actually do them wavered. He still worked for the Lord, but had started to lose his love and trust in God himself.
Wow, how easily this can happen. We think because we hold to truth and do the right things, then we must be all right. Unfortunately, this only makes it harder to diagnose the problem. Oblivious to the symptoms, we can be swept away before we know something's wrong.
I urge you to read his post. It is so encouraging to know that others, wiser and greater than us, struggle with these things as well.
The link above leads to a great post by C Michael Patton from over at Parchment and Pen. I love his posts. He is a great theological thinker and teacher. I've listened to all 60 lessons of the Theology Program he created. Well, the free audio he graciously provides. I hope to one day afford the lessons and text and workbooks for the program. Yes, I am a nerd!
What I like best about his writing is that even with his dedication to high theology, he writes about real life. He isn't afraid to face his thoughts and emotions. So many times people who hold these views seem to just ignore anything in life that doesn't easily fit in with their views. They come off sounding perfect and all together, but in truth they are only lying to themselves and others.
In this post he talks of losing his first love. Revelation 2:4 ESV
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
He expresses how even though he maintained a strong conviction for doctrine and truth and truly believed it, yet his trust in those truths and in God to actually do them wavered. He still worked for the Lord, but had started to lose his love and trust in God himself.
Wow, how easily this can happen. We think because we hold to truth and do the right things, then we must be all right. Unfortunately, this only makes it harder to diagnose the problem. Oblivious to the symptoms, we can be swept away before we know something's wrong.
I urge you to read his post. It is so encouraging to know that others, wiser and greater than us, struggle with these things as well.
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Thursday, December 30, 2010
Slave by John MacArthur
When you want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, who can you turn to? John MacArthur, and his newest book Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity In Christ 
is no exception. MacArthur has spent his career clarifying and proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of a world that has been seduced by false and watered-down imitations. Now he is exposing these differences through a single word that has been missing from most of our English Bible translations.
SLAVE
He begins by examining slavery as it existed in first century Rome and in ancient Israel, noting the distinctions between then and our current western understanding of the issue. How the roles of slave and master closely portray the relationship between Christian and God is carefully laid out.
Throughout scripture the Apostles and most notably, Jesus himself, used this language in communicating and teaching, especially in the parables. Their audiences would have had no difficulty understanding their meaning for these were things that were woven into their very lives.
MacArthur explains:
MASTER
Once the role of slave is sufficiently explained, MacArthur turns his attention to the master. He dedicates the next three chapters to proclaiming and defending the Lordship of Jesus Christ and his position as the true head of the church. Jesus is shown to be the glorious Savior and rightful master that scripture bears him to be.
DOCTRINES OF GRACE
Continuing the slavery theme, MacArthur goes onto explain the Doctrines of Grace as they are revealed through this illustration. This turns out to be a surprisingly refreshing and convincing explanation of these precious truths. He devotes a chapter to each one of the five. Very well done!
WARNING
He uses the twelfth chapter to awaken us to the reality of the coming judgment at Christ's return, and the account we will all give to either our faithfulness or disobedience. A very sober warning, yet full of encouragement and peace for those who are following the Master's will.
PARADOX
The final chapter highlights the paradox of the blessedness of being a slave – of Christ. He beautifully expounds on these four:
THUMBS UP
I can definitely recommend Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity In Christ
to all who desire to the know the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessed requirement of being his slave. This is one to give to those who struggle with understanding or accepting Christ's Lordship. It will serve as a wake up to casual, name only “believers.”
I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending me this free copy for review.
is no exception. MacArthur has spent his career clarifying and proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of a world that has been seduced by false and watered-down imitations. Now he is exposing these differences through a single word that has been missing from most of our English Bible translations.SLAVE
He begins by examining slavery as it existed in first century Rome and in ancient Israel, noting the distinctions between then and our current western understanding of the issue. How the roles of slave and master closely portray the relationship between Christian and God is carefully laid out.
Throughout scripture the Apostles and most notably, Jesus himself, used this language in communicating and teaching, especially in the parables. Their audiences would have had no difficulty understanding their meaning for these were things that were woven into their very lives.
MacArthur explains:
Jesus also used slave language to define the reality of what it means to follow him. Discipleship, like slavery, entails a life of total self-denial, a humble disposition towards others, a wholehearted devotion to the Master alone, a willingness to obey his commands in everything, an eagerness to serve him even in his absence, and a motivation that comes from knowing he is well pleased. p. 43MacArthur expounds on five parallels that he draws between the Christian and slave.
- Exclusive Ownership
- Complete Submission
- Singular Devotion
- Total Dependance
- Personal Accountability
MASTER
Once the role of slave is sufficiently explained, MacArthur turns his attention to the master. He dedicates the next three chapters to proclaiming and defending the Lordship of Jesus Christ and his position as the true head of the church. Jesus is shown to be the glorious Savior and rightful master that scripture bears him to be.
DOCTRINES OF GRACE
Continuing the slavery theme, MacArthur goes onto explain the Doctrines of Grace as they are revealed through this illustration. This turns out to be a surprisingly refreshing and convincing explanation of these precious truths. He devotes a chapter to each one of the five. Very well done!
WARNING
He uses the twelfth chapter to awaken us to the reality of the coming judgment at Christ's return, and the account we will all give to either our faithfulness or disobedience. A very sober warning, yet full of encouragement and peace for those who are following the Master's will.
PARADOX
The final chapter highlights the paradox of the blessedness of being a slave – of Christ. He beautifully expounds on these four:
- Slavery Brings Freedom
- Slavery Ends Prejudice
- Slavery Magnifies Grace
- Slavery Pictures Salvation
THUMBS UP
I can definitely recommend Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity In Christ
to all who desire to the know the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessed requirement of being his slave. This is one to give to those who struggle with understanding or accepting Christ's Lordship. It will serve as a wake up to casual, name only “believers.”I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending me this free copy for review.
Friday, December 24, 2010
The First Christmas: Fact or Fiction?
Here’s a true-false quiz:
1. Mary and Joseph had to travel as quickly as possible to Bethlehem because Mary could have given birth at any moment.
2. The Bethlehem innkeeper was fully booked and so Mary had to give birth to Jesus in the barn/stall nearby/behind the inn
3. Initially, this experience must have been frightening and lonely for Mary and Joseph
4. “The little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.”
5. The angels who appeared to the shepherds had wings.
The link below leads to an article by Paul Copan posted at Parchment and Pen. In it he examines the traditional Christmas story we tell year after year and compares it to the reality of the way of life in that time period. You may be surprised at how much of what we believe is actually wrong.
Click through and see how you did on the quiz and read the rest of the article.
The First Christmas: Myths and Reality
1. Mary and Joseph had to travel as quickly as possible to Bethlehem because Mary could have given birth at any moment.
2. The Bethlehem innkeeper was fully booked and so Mary had to give birth to Jesus in the barn/stall nearby/behind the inn
3. Initially, this experience must have been frightening and lonely for Mary and Joseph
4. “The little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.”
5. The angels who appeared to the shepherds had wings.
The link below leads to an article by Paul Copan posted at Parchment and Pen. In it he examines the traditional Christmas story we tell year after year and compares it to the reality of the way of life in that time period. You may be surprised at how much of what we believe is actually wrong.
Click through and see how you did on the quiz and read the rest of the article.
The First Christmas: Myths and Reality
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Thursday, December 23, 2010
Living Hope: Now With Mobile View
Blogger in Draft just added mobile templates as one of their features. So far it looks good. I had been using Mobify to create a mobile site, but this is definitely better. Comments are now enabled in mobile, without having to visit the full site. I'm hoping this feature graduates quickly.
Reading this on your phone? Let me know what you think.
Reading this on your phone? Let me know what you think.
Christianity versus Everything Else
Here is a quote from David Platt that pretty much sums it up.
I remember sitting outside a Buddhist temple in Indonesia. Men and women filled the elaborate,
colorful temple grounds, where they daily performed their religious rituals. Meanwhile, I was engaged in a conversation with a Buddhist leader and a Muslim leader in this particular community. They were discussing how all religions are fundamentally the same and only superficially different. “We may have different views about small issues,” one of them said, “but when it comes down to essential issues, each of our religions is the same.”
I listened for a while, and then they asked me what I thought. I said, “It sounds as though you both picture God (or whatever you call god) at the top of a mountain. It seems as if you believe that we are all at the bottom of the mountain, and I may take one route up the mountain, you may take another, and in the end we will all end up in the same place.”
They smiled as I spoke. Happily they replied, “Exactly! You understand!”
Then I leaned in and said, “Now let me ask you question. What would you think if I told you that the God at the top of the mountain actually came down to where we are? What would you think if I told you that God doesn't wait for people to find their way to him, but instead he comes to us?”
They thought for a moment and then responded, “That would be great.”
I replied, “Let me introduce you to Jesus.”
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dreamby David Platt p33
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Don't Waste Your New Year: Have a Plan!
Well, 2011 is fast approaching and now is the time to start contemplating those New Year's resolutions. While many of us will just reiterate all those failed resolutions we made last year, let me give you some help on one in particular.
Bible Reading
Finish that thing in a year? No, problem! Well that may be our attitude starting out, but things quickly change. So how can we make sure that this year isn't another failure?
Schedules: Love'em, Hate'em, Need 'em
No one likes to be told what to do, but this is one area we all need the extra guidance. Without a plan and a strong commitment, our best intentions eventually fail.
So what plan is right for me?
This is easy. There are many plans available. What's best is that there are many ways to follow these plans, easily tracking your progress.
The old school way is to purchase a “One Year Bible.” These will be broken into daily readings and often contain helpful devotions
and insights to aid in exploring and understanding the text. Some examples are:
The ESV Daily Reading Bible
and the ESV One Year Bible
But this is the digital age!
One of the greatest things about the internet is the ability to access your information from anywhere. It isn't always practical to carry your bible full of bookmarks everywhere you go, (besides what would people think:-), but which of us would dare be caught without our cellphone. There are many great plans available online and at the wonderful price of free!
Crossway offers an assortment of reading plans that can be accessed by computer or cellphone. You can read today's selection or move forward or back on the calendar to match your pace.
YouVersion
YouVersion is a site that I just recently discovered. It is an online bible that offers many bible translations and the ability to not only select from a multitude of reading plans, but also track your individual progress. Register your free account, select your plan, and the rest is done for you.
What if I don't start January 1st?
Most plans are tailored to everyone starting January 1st, but what about those who want to start June 1st? Once you select your plan, YouVersion creates a personal calender with your own starting and ending dates
What if I fall behind?
No need to get discouraged, just keep reading. They even have a catch me up button that resets your plan, changing your end date to bring you current if you get behind. This is a great feature. So often I've fallen behind and in the disappointment of trying to catch up to the plan, I've simply given up.
Completely Mobile
YouVersion has apps for the iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and is available to any cellphone or desktop with an internet connection. No excuses! You can read anywhere.
Don't waste the New Year!
Let 2011 be the year you spend in God's Word.
Bible Reading
Finish that thing in a year? No, problem! Well that may be our attitude starting out, but things quickly change. So how can we make sure that this year isn't another failure?
Schedules: Love'em, Hate'em, Need 'em
No one likes to be told what to do, but this is one area we all need the extra guidance. Without a plan and a strong commitment, our best intentions eventually fail.
So what plan is right for me?
This is easy. There are many plans available. What's best is that there are many ways to follow these plans, easily tracking your progress.
The old school way is to purchase a “One Year Bible.” These will be broken into daily readings and often contain helpful devotions
and insights to aid in exploring and understanding the text. Some examples are:The ESV Daily Reading Bible
and the ESV One Year BibleBut this is the digital age!
One of the greatest things about the internet is the ability to access your information from anywhere. It isn't always practical to carry your bible full of bookmarks everywhere you go, (besides what would people think:-), but which of us would dare be caught without our cellphone. There are many great plans available online and at the wonderful price of free!
Crossway offers an assortment of reading plans that can be accessed by computer or cellphone. You can read today's selection or move forward or back on the calendar to match your pace.
YouVersion
YouVersion is a site that I just recently discovered. It is an online bible that offers many bible translations and the ability to not only select from a multitude of reading plans, but also track your individual progress. Register your free account, select your plan, and the rest is done for you.
What if I don't start January 1st?
Most plans are tailored to everyone starting January 1st, but what about those who want to start June 1st? Once you select your plan, YouVersion creates a personal calender with your own starting and ending datesWhat if I fall behind?
No need to get discouraged, just keep reading. They even have a catch me up button that resets your plan, changing your end date to bring you current if you get behind. This is a great feature. So often I've fallen behind and in the disappointment of trying to catch up to the plan, I've simply given up.
Completely Mobile
YouVersion has apps for the iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and is available to any cellphone or desktop with an internet connection. No excuses! You can read anywhere.
Don't waste the New Year!
Let 2011 be the year you spend in God's Word.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Climate Changing Evolutionist: Why Worry?
With the temperature at 8 degrees, It got me thinking about global warming. Well I guess it's called climate change now, since they're not really sure if it's warming or cooling. The only thing they do “know” for sure is that it is our fault and will take lots of money to fix.
OK, back to my point. I don't have the statistics, but I'm guessing that the majority of climate change believers also believe in evolution. With this thought in mind, I can't understand why they are so worried about the effects of temperature change on the environment.
Won't we just evolve?
What's there to worry about? Their evolution will save them.
Personally, my hope is in Christ.
OK, back to my point. I don't have the statistics, but I'm guessing that the majority of climate change believers also believe in evolution. With this thought in mind, I can't understand why they are so worried about the effects of temperature change on the environment.
Won't we just evolve?
What's there to worry about? Their evolution will save them.
Personally, my hope is in Christ.
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Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Sometimes I hate this Verse...
Well I guess I don't hate it. It is just hurts. It utterly lays waste to the pride.
We all face things we don't think we can overcome and when we reach the end of our rope we comfort ourselves with thoughts of, “Well no one could do this, or I'm not the first one to fail here, Nobody is perfect.” We stretch out our list of excuses, soothing our consciences, and protecting our egos.
All's well, but then we run across this verse.
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Proverbs 24:10
What? A little harsh don't you think? So what it's saying is, if you fail...you are weak! The absence of wiggle room is more than just a little uncomfortable to say the least.
So what's the point to all this? Is God simply wanting to beat us up; kick us while we're down?
No, God knows we will fail. This verse is to let us know why we fail. He knows our pride won't go down without a fight and that if at all possible it will seek to spare itself with any and every excuse under the sun. God in his mercy, gave us this verse to rescue us from this self-deception.
So he just leaves us with hard truth?
That and more. God opens our eyes with truth, so that turning our gaze from excuses, we may look to him for strength in time of need. He doesn't want us wallowing in failure. He wants us to realize that victory only comes through him. In our strength we will fail. It is only when we rest in the hands of our Savior, trusting in his strength, that we will stand in the day of adversity.
The lesson we must learn is that our strength is never sufficient to deliver us. Victory only comes through the Lord and his abundant mercy!
We all face things we don't think we can overcome and when we reach the end of our rope we comfort ourselves with thoughts of, “Well no one could do this, or I'm not the first one to fail here, Nobody is perfect.” We stretch out our list of excuses, soothing our consciences, and protecting our egos.
All's well, but then we run across this verse.
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Proverbs 24:10
What? A little harsh don't you think? So what it's saying is, if you fail...you are weak! The absence of wiggle room is more than just a little uncomfortable to say the least.
So what's the point to all this? Is God simply wanting to beat us up; kick us while we're down?
No, God knows we will fail. This verse is to let us know why we fail. He knows our pride won't go down without a fight and that if at all possible it will seek to spare itself with any and every excuse under the sun. God in his mercy, gave us this verse to rescue us from this self-deception.
So he just leaves us with hard truth?
That and more. God opens our eyes with truth, so that turning our gaze from excuses, we may look to him for strength in time of need. He doesn't want us wallowing in failure. He wants us to realize that victory only comes through him. In our strength we will fail. It is only when we rest in the hands of our Savior, trusting in his strength, that we will stand in the day of adversity.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
The lesson we must learn is that our strength is never sufficient to deliver us. Victory only comes through the Lord and his abundant mercy!
The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:16-22
Monday, December 6, 2010
This isn't something I would post, but...
Since it has already been said I'll share it. The link below leads to 22 Words and some great advice.
How to give a tip to a blogger you appreciate without it costing you any money
Just be sure to come back here before following through:-)
How to give a tip to a blogger you appreciate without it costing you any money
Just be sure to come back here before following through:-)
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Jonathan Edwards: Free E-Pub
Follow the link below to download Edwards' Religious Affections. I've downloaded it to my phone and it works fine with the Nook app. There are a lot of free classic e-pubs online, but most are poorly done without a linked table of contents. This one seems to have been done right. The price is right too!
God bless Desiring God Ministries for all the excellent resources they provide free of charge. They are a God send!
Free Electronic Version of Edwards' Religious Affections
God bless Desiring God Ministries for all the excellent resources they provide free of charge. They are a God send!
Free Electronic Version of Edwards' Religious Affections
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Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Gospel for Zombies: The Promise of Death
Here is a wonderful article by Russell Moore.
Zombies and the Gospel
In it he talks of our culture's fascination with zombies and what it tells us of its spiritual condition. I love the fact that he doesn't simply condemn everyone for this morbid love affair, but seeks to learn from it.
Here is a taste.
"The main truth about zombies, he argues, is that zombies, dead as they are, keep coming. As soon as you “kill” one dead man, there’s another right behind him. “In other words, zombie killing is philosophically similar to reading and deleting 400 work emails on a Monday morning or filling out paperwork that only generates more paperwork, or following Twitter gossip out of obligation, or performing tedious tasks in which the only true risk is being consumed by the avalanche.”
I think there’s more to it than Klosterman’s technological overload scenario. The zombie represents what it means to feel dead and yet unable to stop living. That’s, at root, a spiritual condition before it’s a sociological one."
Russell Moore goes on to explain that because of the fall, mankind is dead, walking in lifeless existence. He says that the Gospel isn't just a promise of ongoing life. It is the promise of death to our our current lives of misery and the reward of being born again to true life.
The Gospel truly is for zombies!
Zombies and the Gospel
In it he talks of our culture's fascination with zombies and what it tells us of its spiritual condition. I love the fact that he doesn't simply condemn everyone for this morbid love affair, but seeks to learn from it.
Here is a taste.
"The main truth about zombies, he argues, is that zombies, dead as they are, keep coming. As soon as you “kill” one dead man, there’s another right behind him. “In other words, zombie killing is philosophically similar to reading and deleting 400 work emails on a Monday morning or filling out paperwork that only generates more paperwork, or following Twitter gossip out of obligation, or performing tedious tasks in which the only true risk is being consumed by the avalanche.”
I think there’s more to it than Klosterman’s technological overload scenario. The zombie represents what it means to feel dead and yet unable to stop living. That’s, at root, a spiritual condition before it’s a sociological one."
Russell Moore goes on to explain that because of the fall, mankind is dead, walking in lifeless existence. He says that the Gospel isn't just a promise of ongoing life. It is the promise of death to our our current lives of misery and the reward of being born again to true life.
The Gospel truly is for zombies!
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Thursday, December 2, 2010
My Inner Geek
It is amazing what a phone can do these days. Besides the E-mail, web, and apps, it even makes and receives phone calls:-)
Seriously, it is a handy little trinket. I'm writing this post on it using the Blogger-droid app. If this method works out it may prove very useful to life here at Living Hope. It has always been challenging to find time to write between work and family and then to have a computer around when that time did come. Being able to post from my phone will definitely allow me to use every available moment to the fullest.
I'm loving the Android operating system. I've only had it for about a week now and so far I've got no complaints. Other than why do you have to pay a separate fee for messaging? I know it's not an android issue but come on now. I pay for voice and data, so why should messaging be charged on top of that? So many ways to make money, to bad none of them were my idea.
I've downloaded both the nook and the kindle app. Haven't had enough time to see which I like best, but they both do have a free version of the ESV Bible, so that's a plus.
So have you experienced the joy of having have a really cool phone? What apps do you find most useful? Leave your comments below. I'm sure there are many gems out there that I have yet to find.
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