In Defense of the Christian Faith

I once encountered an atheist who asked for proof of God's existence outside of the Bible. He claimed that he truly wanted to find God, but he did NOT want to look into the Bible to read about Him (didn't really want to talk about the Bible either); he said that if God were real, he could find Him outside of the Bible, too. He claimed that the Bible was a second-hand account, and the only reason he would give was that no historians were present to write down things as they happened. (I didn't think of it then, but that is TOTALLY FALSE -- Luke was there, and we have evidence that he was a very accurate historian !) Anyway, after going into a rather long speal about the different aspects to his questions, I brought up the topic that Jesus was God. I said, "Jesus is God's Son -- He is God. Jesus is the Truth and truth has to correspond to reality, so if Jesus really is the truth, than God is real. If you can believe this, you will know that God exists, so I want to p...

Mark 10:28-31 "Then Peter began to say unto him, 'Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.' And Jesus answered and said, 'Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.'" The context of this passage was the story of the rich, young ruler. Remember, when Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give to the poor, the man loved his riches too much and walked the other way. So Jesus is saying here that you could have all these things -- houses, brothers, sisters, etc. -- but persecution would accompany them if one follows Christ: "All those who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer...

It's been a while since I've read Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ , although I keep it for a reference source. Here is an amazing quote by Dr. Norman L. Geisler on archeaology... I'm planning to write more on this topic in the future, so here's a little piece to wet your appetite: There have been thousands-not hundreds-of archeological finds in the Middle East that support the picture presented in the biblical record. There was a discovery not long ago confirming King David. The patriarchs-the narratives about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-were once considered legendary, but as more has become known these stories are increasingly corroborated. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was thought to be mythological until evidence was uncovered that all five of the cities mentioned in Genesis were, in fact, situated just as the Old Testament said. As far as their destruction goes, archaeologist Clifford Wilson said there is ‘permanent evidence of the great conflagration ...

Sorry that I'm posting this so late in the day... In addition to my reading , I'm preparing for a major project this weekend. Here's today's Word For Wednesday. For more, check out Yeah right ... "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." ~ Mark 9:49-50 What does it mean when Jesus says "everyone willl be seasoned with fire"? 1 Corinthians 3:13 says, "...each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is." So we can see that Jesus is speaking of our works being tested. In fact, this same passage in Matthew (5:13-16) states, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to b...

Time has flown by, and with it have gone my blog posts... Sorry folks! But I've been up to my ears in reading. Actually, it's not required reading, but I've recently developed a new hobby/status as Bookworm! ;) Here are some books I recently ordered (reviews coming soon): 1) The Battle for the Beginning -- An excellent book by John MacArthur which chronicles the seven days of creation mentioned in Genesis. MacArthur goes into great detail about each day and its significance, showing how evolution is not plausible. I talked about it once before , but I plan to do a more in-depth review of it sometime in the future. 2) How To Keep Your Faith in an Upside Down World -- In this book, Sarah Bowling, daughter of evangelist Marylin Hickey, talks about how to revolutionize your faith. I picked it up primarily because it was on sale, and I've seen Sarah speaking on television and she is very informative and easy to understand. I have not read this one yet, but I'll...

In recent Word For Wednesdays, we've been talking about what pride is . This week, I'd like focus on some specific examples from the Scriptures. Let's begin with Mark 8:27-37 : "And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for ...

I just found out the other day that you can pick up a complimentary copy of Voice of the Martyrs ' book "Tortured for Christ." This is the story of founder Richard Wurmbrand who spent 14 years in prison in Communist Romania simply for being a Christian. He wrote the book to make Christians in the West aware of what their brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing for their dedication to Christ. As you know, I have a huge heart for the persecuted all over the world; they are laying down their lives for Christ daily, and they do it unashamedly. So if you're like me, and you just devour every book on the topic that you can get your hands on, why not get your free copy today? All you have to do is refer one or more friends, and provide your mailing address and you're on your way! And after you do that, here is a little teaser ... It was 1945. A pastor and his wife sat listening as one religious leader after another come forward to swear loyalty to th...

Secret Believers by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen is such a sobering book to read. In its pages, Brother Andrew writes a novel based on true persons and places in order to describe the persecuted church in the Middle East, while still protecting the actual persons and events. I have read numerous books on persecution, including those that contain actual testimonies from Christians around the world and they are all excellent; however, this book was different. Below, I have posted a book review of Secret Believers for this week's Inspiring Story. The main bulk of the review is the basic story line, but near the end is where you can find my impressions on the book (and yes, it really did make me cry; these people risk their lives for Christ, facing immense persecution -- now that's total surrender). I will add that this book is AMAZING -- you will never look at the persecuted church the same way again! ------------- The book Secret Believers: What Happens When Muslims Believe in...

No, it's not my birthday... I'm talking about a very special lady named Renee . So for my birthday surprise, I ask that you would all leave her a comment wishing her a very happy birthday... and please tell her that Miss S. sent you ;) I know this would make her day! Happy Birthday, Renee !

In my studies today, I was noticing all the amazing parallels between the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Haven't you heard the critics tell you that this "proves" that they are copy-cats? Well, I beg to differ. I've talked about this subject before in relation to some of the bigger "contradictions", but today I'd like to show you some minor ones in a short passage of Mark compared with Matthew's Gospel. Mark 7:31-37 states, "Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of hi...

Psalm 119: 28, 81 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.... My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Isaiah 40: 31 "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Psalm 27: 14 "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalm 73: 26 "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." Psalm 130: 5 "I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope." Strength is accomplished through the Word of God. As we wait upon Him and continue to read His Word, hear His voice, and do what He says, we gain strength. Interestingly, the word "grace" in James 4:6 (But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.")...

Recently, a magazine came in the mail, entiltled "My Father's World." Being a bit interested, I opened it up and began to flip through it. I discovered that it was a magazine for ordering Christian children's books, including homeschool material. I also discovered that a Christian woman named Marie Hazell was formerly a kindergarten teacher who wanted to make her own Christian ciriculum for children; therefore, she founded "My Father's World." She and her husband were formerly missionaries to Russia, who lived there for eight years while they translated the Bible into 70 minority languages. Their ministry of Bible translation is called " God's Word for the Nations ," and it continues even now. Here is a story that I found in the magazine; it reminded me of the impact that the Jesus Film Project is having across the globe. I would like to share it for this week's Inspiring Story. Enjoy! "My mother was a devout Christian and went r...

Here is the final part in our series on the Shroud of Turin... -------------- Disclaimer: Though I believe the Shroud to be the authentic burial cloth of Christ (as you shall see), I do not believe it to be an object of worship; only Jesus Himself and God the Father are to be worshipped. However, I do believe that the Shroud provides sufficient evidence of the Resurrection. It is for this reason that I present this material. So much more information is forthcoming on the Shroud. For more information, visit http://www.shroud.com/ , hosted by Barrie Schwortz; he presents all views on the Shroud, as well as the latest information. To see my complete series, click here . On April 11th, 1997 at almost 11:45 P.M [1] , a fire erupted engulfing the cathedral in which the Shroud of Turin had been kept since 1578. A citizen of Turin, Guido Principe, called the fire department when he saw the fire from his home. Giuseppe Ivano, the palace custodian, said, “We smelled smoke, and then we saw the f...

Disclaimer: Though I believe the Shroud to be the authentic burial cloth of Christ (as you shall see), I do not believe it to be an object of worship; only Jesus Himself and God the Father are to be worshipped. However, I do believe that the Shroud provides sufficient evidence of the Resurrection. It is for this reason that I present this material. For more information, visit http://www.shroud.com/ , hosted by Barrie Schwortz; he presents all views on the Shroud, as well as the latest information. To see my complete series, click here . In 1988, a finger size piece of the Shroud was cut and split into three pieces. Each piece was given to a specific laboratory. [1] The piece was to be carbon dated by each laboratory, only to find that the Shroud dated back only 700 years. [2] Many scientists from various fields doubted that the carbon dating was accurate and decided to do further research of their own. [3] One reason for doubting this dating, besides the fact that many believe t...