The audiobook version of A Heart Hungry to Worship” is now available. It is out on Amazon now, and should be available on Itunes by the weekend.
Good Article You Need To Read
Below is a link to a great article written by Randy Alcorn entitled, “How Great Evil Confirms the Biblical Teaching about Demons”. This is a well written article that is both timely and heartfelt. Please take the time to read and ponder it.
A Look Ahead To 2013
The success God has given us in 2012 has increased our anticipation for what He will allow us to do in 2013. With His help, we have lots of projects planned for the coming year. Trips to China (to work with church leaders) and possibly India (to work with the Victory Baptist Association) are in the planning stages. New resources, such as a personal Bible study on the book of Jude, a study guide for an expanded version of Is Jesus Enough?, and the completion of Consequences are in the works. There has been an increased interest in our seminar, Islam and the Future, and that will continue to be offered. People in over 60 countries have logged on to follow us in the 6 months we have operated Ta Ethne. We hope to expand our global presence even further.
We continue to do all of this by trusting in God to meet our needs. No one who works for us takes a salary, everyone volunteers their time and money. We give away hundreds of books and other resources because of the generosity of donors. Those resources we sell fund mission trips to support national church leaders. We are looking to raise $5000 USD for the trips to China and India. Would you pray that God would supply our needs? If He leads you to do so, would you consider a donation through Paypal on our website, http://www.discernmentministries.webs.com or by purchasing our books or audio resources?
Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to share God’s glory across the world.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Delicate
The fountains spraying water accentuate the delicate statue of the flying Pegasus in Mengzhi China
Fountains and Flying Pegasus
Book Giveaway by Goodreads
Enter to win a free copy:
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/39890-40-days-of-praise-a-hymn-devotional
40 Days of Praise Released in Paperback
Our newest book is now available in paperback. 40 Days of Praise will help you develop a habit of prayer during the coming year. Based on a different hymn a day, this devotional makes a great gift for anyone wishing to deepen their prayer life.
New Audio Resource Available
The Quest: Changing a Church’s Culture from Mission-minded to Missions-active is now available as an audio book. It is available through Amazon now, and will become available on iTunes next week. It will make a great gift for church leaders and pastors. Check it out.
Advent Musings
As I reflect upon the season of advent, I am constantly challenged by how deep in meaning this season is. Not only is it a time of looking back at the 1st coming of Christ in Bethlehem, but a looking forward to His return as King of Kings. As I reflect on the preparation of His first coming, I have to ask – am I truly ready for His second? I know so many people who aren’t, that it saddens me. Then, I get to thinking that I know even more who will celebrate Christmas without knowing what they are really celebrating. It is like going to a birthday party for the son of a neighbor of a friend of yours. You kinda know them a little, but you know you are out of place at the party.
That is what Christmas is for people who are not God’s children. They are at His Son’s birthday party, but they are outsiders, missing out on the real excitement and meaning.Only those of us in the family of God can truly celebrate Christmas. I guess that is why I don’t get too upset with the over commercialization of Christmas. People aren’t believers so why shouldn’t they behave as they do? They don’t ruin my Christmas – I am focused on God and His great gift.
As I wrote yesterday, we can take a lesson from Hanukkah and make sure our light is shining outward, as a witness this Advent season. Perhaps if we do, if we tell people of Christ’s first and second comings, they will be able to truly join the party.
Hanukkah Lessons
During this season of celebration named Hanukkah, there are many lessons we can learn. The Festival of Lights, while a holiday pretty much exclusively celebrated by Jews, should be held in high esteem by Christians as well. (Also by Muslims if they were honest but that is a different thought for another time). The miracle of God extending the oil so that the menorah remained lit until more oil could be made ready for use, was a great miracle indeed. It showed that God was with His children and pleased with them and their zeal for His Holy Name. That was only one of the miracles God performed, though. The entire Maccabean rebellion should have been crushed by the overwhelming forces arrayed against them. God’s granting victory to them is reminiscent of the victories during the time of the Judges. Jesus observed the festival (John 10:22-23) as did His disciples. What could possibly be wrong with a festival honoring God’s provision and care?
We are reminded during this time that God cares for His people. He provides for His people. He protects His people. He remembers His people. He helps His people. It would be a good idea for everyone to read 1 and 2 Maccabees and learn of God’s care for His people during the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments.
It is also a good time to speak with our Jewish friends. To celebrate with them the miracles of God. To use this time as a bridge to communicating with them how Jesus is the Light of the World. That the God of Lights, who delights in giving His children good gifts, gave one in the form of His Son.
Wish them a Happy Hanukkah. Teach the meaning of the holiday to your children. Remind yourself that candles are not lit to shine in the home. They are meant to shine out, to tell others of the miracles of God. Let that be a lesson to take home – that the best way to honor God is to tell others about His greatness.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Changing Seasons
View of Beaver Creek meandering through the BearsPaw Mountains in late fall
ta ethne 