Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 3, 2009
In 1990, there were only three known Christians in Kazakhstan and no Christians in Uzbekistan, but now more than 15,000 in Kazakhstan and 30, 000 in Uzbekistan. There were only 500 Christians in Iran in 1979, but more than one million Iranians believing Jesus Christ today, most of whom meet in
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 3, 2009
THE DIRT RETURNS
Julie Ackerman recalls asking, "How did everything get so dirty so fast?" I grumbled as I dusted the glass tabletop. "I had the whole house clean a month ago."
"Cleaning is a way of life, not an event," my husband responded.
I know he’s right, but I hate to admit it. I want to
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 27, 2009
WHERE IS THE ARK
The Ethiopian legend described in the "Book of the Glory of Kings," relates that Ethiopians are descendants of Israelite tribes who came to Ethiopia with Menelik I, alleged to be the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba...The legend relates that Menelik, as an adult,
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 27, 2009
Although there were a variety of beliefs among the ancient Jews as to who was being spoken of in Isaiah 53, a Targum (paraphrase) and the Talmud evidences that many understood this to refer to the Messiah:
“Behold, My Servant the Messiah shall prosper" from the Targum ("Targum Jonathan") to Isaiah
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 27, 2009
(Regarding the Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch)
"Note also that baptism is by immersion: they came up out of the water. Otherwise, the Ethiopian could have just opened his canteen (goatskin)
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2009
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HUMILITY AND EXPERIENCE
Listen to this true story:
"My father began teaching business classes at the local prison through a community college. On his first night of class, he started a chapter on banking. During the course of his lecture, the subject of ATMs came up, and he mentioned that, on
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2009
Two friends run into each other while walking their dogs. One suggests lunch. The other says, "They won’t let us in a restaurant with pets."
Undeterred, the first guy and his German shepherd head into the restaurant. The maître d’ stops them, saying, "Sir, you can’t bring your dog in here."
"But
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2009
According to Wikipedia, "The persecution of Christians is the religious persecution that Christians have endured as a consequence of professing their faith, both historically and in the current era. In the two thousand years of the Christian faith, about 70 million believers, of whom 45.5 million
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2009
DEMAND VS. CHOICE
A demand masked as a request is worse than a demand. Like giving kids a choice when there is no choice. "Would you like to go to Gramas?" implies of the option of choosing either way, and it is
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2009
Messianic Jew David Stern comments, "Sha’ul’s self-limitation is consistent with Jewish ethical standards, derekh-eretz, the "way of the world." God expects us to do what is right and what is ethical.
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GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES
Roger Simms shared this testimony in a book:
May 7 the day Roger was discharged from the army. He couldn’t get a bus so he decided to hitchhike his way home. Carry his heavy suitcase and in his army uniform, he flashed for the on-coming car. It was a luxurious, black
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 8, 2009
I have broken many pocket knives, using them for purposes not intended by the manufacturer. I have broken a couple trying to pry something. (Take out pocket knife and show as an object lesson).
God blesses us with material things. He helps us find a career and our place in this world. He gives
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 8, 2009
SEEING BUT NOT EATING
The Jewish Rabbi known as Rav held a similar viewpoint. Brad Young summarizes his view, "One will be judged not only for sins committed against Torah but also for pleasures in life that were neglected because of a false religious abstinence. The sense of joy in living comes
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 8, 2009
Joanie Yoder wrote, " When my husband and I first went out as missionaries, I recall being concerned about the growth of materialism in our society. It never crossed my mind that I myself could be materialistic. After all, hadn’t we gone overseas with almost nothing? Weren’t we choosing to live in
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Contributed by Simon Taylor on May 29, 2009
YOU CAN'T STUDY ALL THE TIME
The best way I can explain what I mean is looking at my teacher training. As most of you know, I was at once time a student teacher. A lot of what we do is theory – child development, teaching methods, and so on. Even when you graduate you’re expected to keep up my
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Contributed by Simon Taylor on May 29, 2009
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
Born 12 May 1820, died 13 August 1910. On 7 February 1837 – not long before her 17th birthday – something happened that would change her life: "God spoke to me," she wrote, "and called me to His service." Nobody really cares what knowledge Florence Nightingale had about the
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 28, 2009
MULTI-TASKING GENES
According to Creation Magazine, "When geneticists found that there were only 20,000 to 30,000 genes in the human genome, [gee’ nome] on par with a 'simple worm,' they were surprised...But...new research shows that our genes can multi-task. By a process dubbed 'alternative
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 28, 2009
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ODD DISCIPLINES & BEHAVIORS
What idiosyncrasies might you need to sometimes sacrifice? What rules have you made up that you will not break for anything? In ministry, you often do what needs to be done--period!
Alexandre Dumas, the elder, ate an apple at 7 a.m. each morning under the Arc de
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Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 28, 2009
Dr. Myron Houghton wrote, "To affirm the inspiration and inerrancy of the original writings while casting doubt on the authority of the Bible that is available to us is just plain silly. Can you really imagine someone seriously saying, 'I have good news and I have bad news: the good news is that
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