Monthly Archives: February 2006

Church History: 381 AD. Rome’s Official Religion

Written on February 28, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

381 AD. This is the date that Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Earlier in the same (fourth) century, it had become legal, but from this date… Read More

Building a Basic Bible Study Library, by Joey Harris

Written on February 28, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Building A Basic Bible Study Library Joey Harris Augusta, Georgia June 22, 2005 The best way to get to understand the Bible is simply to read it and to read… Read More

ACU Leadership resource

Written on February 28, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Click for Abilene Christian University’s ELDERLINK.

Q&A 0208 – Miraculous gifts after the apostles?

Written on February 27, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

I was surprised to read that writers such as Origen, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus reported examples of "miraculous gifts" as late as the second and third centuries. Is this related… Read More

Family Circle: Listening

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. — James 1:19 We want to teach our children… Read More

Family devotional idea: “Who Am I?”

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

One of the favorite activities the Jacobys have enjoyed in family devotional time is a guessing game. Although we have several variations on the game, I would like to describe… Read More

Family Circle: Working Mothers

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

“Working mothers.” This common phrase says a lot about our society’s concept of motherhood, doesn’t it? But since when did any mother not work? Motherhood is an enormously difficult –… Read More

Family Circle: Sitting, Listening, Asking

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Today’s family lesson is from Luke 2, and was inspired by a sermon I heard this morning. The text of Luke 2:41-52 (NRS) reads: Now every year his parents went… Read More

Family Circle: Allowances

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Is there any biblical basis for giving a child an "allowance" — a fixed amount of money, typically every week or month? Indeed there is. "Whoever is faithful in a… Read More

Family Circle: Website – Dobson

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

While you and I may not agree with everything James Dobson teaches, I believe most of my readers will agree with most of it! His website, the official site of… Read More

Family Circle: Website – Family Life

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

This month I am referring readers to helpful family centered websites. The website for this week is http://www.familylife.com/. This article is copyrighted and is for private use and study only.

Family Circle: Website – Family Health

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

For health information for the whole family, from the American Academy of Family Physicians, click on http://familydoctor.org/.

Family Circle: Book Review – Sex and the Supremacy of Christ

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Sexuality is an issue at the heart of the Christian family and God’s plan for a romantic love-relationship between man and woman. In connection with this, John Piper’s book, Sex… Read More

Family Circle: Quality Time Idea

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

This summer, why not improve family time by getting rid of one of its biggest disrupters and destroyers — television? Far from missing the TV, the Jacobys appreciate the extra… Read More

Family Circle: Quality Family Time

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

I would like to refer you to the Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet (Family and Consumer Sciences) on Quality Family Time, HYG-5285-95, by Treva Williams. The link is http://www.a-better-child.org/page/875110 This article… Read More

The Family Car: Safe Driving Discounts

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

If you live in a country where you or your teenage children are driving, did you know you can save a bundle off your car insurance? A defensive driving course… Read More

Family Circle: New book by the Jacobys

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

During the month of April [2005] Vicki and I are writing a book on parenting. This new work will cover principles, not just practicals, and Bible stories, not just personal… Read More

Family Circle: Humor

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

CAN YOU HEAR ME? An elderly couple were having problems communicating. The husband thought to himself that his wife might be losing her hearing, so while she was knitting in… Read More

Family Circle: Kids’ Ideas About Science

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Kids’ Ideas About Science From the Boston Globe:The beguiling ideas about science quoted here were gleaned from essays, exams, and class room discussions. Most were from 5th and 6th graders…. Read More

Family Circle: Male-Female Communication

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

CONTRARY to what many women believe, it’s fairly easy to develop a long-term, stable, intimate, and mutually fulfilling relationship with a guy. Of course this guy has to be a… Read More

Family Circle: Recommended reading – Devotionals

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Regular family devotionals can make an enormous difference in your family’s spirituality, joy, and relationships. The Bible comes to life, its content becomes fun, practical, and memorable, when parents create… Read More

Train Up a Child: Producing Love in Your Children

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

‘Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.’ (Proverbs 22:6) LOVE We must teach our children love for… Read More

Family Circle: Children Learn What They Live

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemnIf a child lives with hostility, he learns to fightIf a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shyIf a… Read More

Family Circle: Freeing Our Families

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. — 1 Samuel… Read More

Straight Talk about Kids – Sam Laing

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

IntroductionSomeone else can take our place in the ministry. No one else can fulfill our responsibilities as a husband, wife or parent.Scriptures like 1 Timothy 3: 4-5 and Titus 1:… Read More

Family Circle: Love Your Neighbor

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Jesus replied: "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the… Read More

Family Circle: Teenage parenting advice

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Q&A 1050 – Teenage parenting adviceI’m a single mother of three teenagers, and have been a faithful and dedicated disciple for 10 years. (My children’s father is not at all involved… Read More

Family Circle: Website recommendation – Family Fun

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

This is a good site for families with younger kids. A recent issue discussed crafts, kids’ bedrooms, vacations, and games. Check out the link, www.familyfun.com. This article is copyrighted and… Read More

Family Circle: A Back-to-School Devotional (idea age range: 8-18 years)

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

In our part of the United States, school resumed on August 8th. In other parts of the country, children will not return until early September. This is a "back-to-school devotional,"… Read More

Family Circle: Parental Modeling

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

The following is an excerpted chapter from our book on raising children, Principle-Centered Parenting: Christian Parenting in a Non-Christian World. The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses seat; therefore do… Read More

Family Circle: Recommended reading for marriage and parenting

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Today we would like to share with you the "required reading" for the marriage & family element of the Athens Institute of Ministry. Marriage & Parenting: The Minister’s Family Life1…. Read More

Family Circle: Teaching Families to Fight Childhood Obesity

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Credit: Healthy Weigh, March 2004, reproduced with permission. According to the American Diabetic Association, childhood obesity is on the rise. Twice as many children are obese today as compared to… Read More

Family Circle: Website – Parent / Youth Understanding

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

The Center for Parent / Youth Understanding, http://www.cpyu.org.

Family Circle: Book Recommendation – Adolescents

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Kevin Huggins, Parenting Adolescents (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1989). Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0891096973/thefireescapb-20/103-4257296-3363061. One of the best parenting books out there! The thesis is simple: to "change" your teen, change yourself!

Family Circle: Book Recommendation

Written on February 26, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Highly recommended: What About the Children?, by Lee Boger (Bookshelf, 2005). Lee is a Christian in Kokomo, Indiana. This article is copyrighted and is for private use and study only.

Q&A 0207 – Isn’t it wrong to kill people for killing?

Written on February 25, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

This is a complex question though a good one. Many Bible readers point to Genesis 9:6 insisting “See God demands the death penalty here.” Yet while the New Testament recognizes… Read More

Family Circle: Children and Conversion

Written on February 25, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

The following is an excerpt taken from chapter 13 of The Quiver: Christian Parenting in a Non-Christian World. CONVERSIONJesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not… Read More

Family Circle: Children’s Bibles

Written on February 25, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Children do not read at the same level as adults, and naturally their needs vis-à-vis Bibles are different to ours. Check out the following weblink. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_sp?sp=58297&p=1008728 This article is copyrighted… Read More

Family Circle: Websites for families with autistic children

Written on February 25, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Ever since our nephew was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, my wife and I have taken a special interest in special needs children. So many families are affected by having special… Read More

Family Circle: 100 Best Books for Children

Written on February 25, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Here is a list of one hundred books selected by the National Education Association as great reading for children and young people. To help make these books more useful, we… Read More

Q&A 0206 – Luke 22:15-18

Written on February 23, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

My flat-mate and I were discussing Luke 22:15-18, where Jesus says that he will not "eat it again it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God" or drink again… "until… Read More

Apologetics: A Little Science Quiz by John Clayton

Written on February 22, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

1. If all the blood vessels in your body were laid end to end, how far would they go?(a) 100 yards (b) 10 feet (c) A mile (d) 80 miles… Read More

Q&A 0205 – Baptism

Written on February 21, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Whilst watching the movie Mary, Mother of Jesus and seeing baptism depicted as sprinkling, I suddenly wondered, Where did baptism come from in the first place? As I understand it,… Read More

Q&A 0204 – Joseph (Mary’s husband)

Written on February 19, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Is there any biblical indication of what in the world happened to Joseph (Mary’s husband)? Any early church tradition that seems valid? — Geoff I assume you are referring to… Read More

Q&A 0203 – Original Sin

Written on February 17, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

BORN DAMNED? London, 1986 Baseball What would you think of a baseball game (to borrow an American analogy) in which each player already has two strikes against him — before… Read More

Judaism 101

Written on February 16, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

http://www.jewfaq.org/toc.htm

Q&A 0202 – New Testament sources

Written on February 15, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Does the NT quote from any secular or religious sources? And if so, would this mean that they are somehow inspired? This is a list (possibly incomplete) of pagan sources… Read More

Apologetics: The Mighty Krill, by John Clayton

Written on February 15, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

If you added up the total mass of each of the living animals on our planet, what animal would be the largest in tons? Would your guess be whales, elephants,… Read More

English Versions of the Bible

Written on February 14, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

http://www.bible-researcher.com/versions.html

Q&A 0201 – Old Testament sources

Written on February 13, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

What is and who wrote the book of Jashar (Joshua 10:13, 2 Samuel 1:18)? —  Vicente L. (Washington DC) The book of Jashar is one of the many books cited in… Read More

Q&A 0200 – Authorship of 1 and 2 Timothy

Written on February 11, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

I would like your personal opinion as a Bible scholar about the authorship of 1 and 2 Timothy. I read that many scholars believe the book was written after Paul’s… Read More

Q&A 0199 – Confession of sins

Written on February 9, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

I gather from Romans 10 (and by piecing together instances in Acts) that hearing the message, believing (and audibly confessing) Jesus as Lord, repenting of sins, and being baptized are… Read More

Apologetics: Carbon 14 — Friend or Foe? by John Clayton

Written on February 8, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

One of the tragedies of denominational creationism is that it continues to produce a constant stream of radical creationists who turn science into the enemy and then attack it to… Read More

Q&A 0198 – Martydom of Zechariah

Written on February 7, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

In Matthew 23:35, Jesus mentioned the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, seeming to point to the prophet mentioned in the last book of the Hebrew Bible (Chronicles). But Jesus… Read More

Q&A 0197 – Authorship of Hebrews

Written on February 5, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Who do you think wrote the book of Hebrews, and why? — Michael Wegge (Los Angeles) No one really knows, Michael. Although the style is Pauline, suggesting that the letter… Read More

Q&A 0196 – Jesus and the Logos

Written on February 3, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

If Jesus is the Logos, then the Word of God came to earth in the flesh. The Bible is the inspired word of God and speaks his will to us… Read More

Excellence

Written on February 3, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

AIMING FOR EXCELLENCE: “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failures, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy… Read More

How to Deal with Worship interruptions

Written on February 1, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

Wow! I think every evangelist and church leader would benefit from reading this article (from Christianity Today). It’s extremely informative and helpful. http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2005/004/14.89.html

Q&A 0195 – “The Kenites”

Written on February 1, 2006 at 12:00 am, by

I recently studied with someone who has fallen into the teachings of a man who preaches that Satan impregnated Eve. He also claims Cain was the result of that illicit… Read More