Thanksgiving is this week, so it goes without saying that those passages that speak on being thankful will be heard often.
Even though I’ve memorized this passage before, I think it’s beneficial to go back and review and renew it. Take a look at this week’s passage, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
This year will be difficult for my family. We’ve lost several family members in the past year. And the fact that we are 1000 miles away or more from the rest of our families adds to it.
For example, a few days ago, we received a card in the mail, no return address, unsigned, with a cashier’s check in it. We have no idea who might have given us that gift, but we are very thankful for it, especially since our finances are tight until we sell our home back in Missouri.
And that’s only one example.
We have much to be thankful for. Let’s make sure we express it, both to the people in our lives, and to God.
Happy Thanksgiving!
What has God provided for you that you are thankful for? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
I am a history buff. I love reading history, biographies, and historical novels, especially those covering early American times, from colonial to the westward expansion.
I also love reading the history of the locality where I call home. In this case, the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Over the past few days, I’ve read through Paul Vickery’s biography of Andrew Jackson. It’s called Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander, and is part of the Thomas Nelson series The Generals. I’ve read and reviewed a couple of other biographies in this series as well, covering the lives of Generals William Tecumseh Sherman and Robert E. Lee. Fascinating lives, all of them.
Jackson is just as well written as the others were. In fact, I was especially intrigued with the portions of Andrew Jackson’s military career that brought him to Florida. I don’t think he came anywhere near where we now live; that all happened north of my location. But I found it fascinating nonetheless.
Jackson was born into a poor family and was orphaned at the age of fifteen. With no family or social standing to rely on, Jackson was truly a self-made man. As a military commander, he instilled discipline and strength in all of those under his command, expecting nothing from them that he didn’t also expect from himself. In fact, he pushed himself to the limits of his health and strength, and beyond, in order to serve and lead his men.
Jackson inspired the men under his command. In response to his strength of character, they bestowed upon him the nickname of “Old Hickory,” which lasted throughout his lifetime, and even to today.
Because of Andrew Jackson, America gained and held onto much of the south, and he defeated the British at New Orleans in the War of 1812. He expelled the Spanish from their holdings in Florida. And he quelled violent uprisings from parts of the Creek and Cherokee tribes, called the Red Sticks.
As a military commander, Jackson was decisive and inspiring. And as a President, he gave us a taste of nationalism for the very first time.
Despite controversy surrounding his policies on Native Americans and his military exploits, Jackson was one of our nation’s strongest leaders, at a time when strength was extremely necessary.
I loved reading Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander, and if you are a student of American history, I’m sure you will as well. I suggest you grab a copy.
While Jackson was an impressive leader, he’s not my favorite President. Both Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan hold that place for me. Who is your favorite American leader? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you are interested in reading Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander, by Paul Vickery, you can purchase it at Amazon.com in both print and for the Kindle.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“
I was fascinated as I read The Genius Of Ancient Man.
I was sitting at a new coffee shop in Brooksville, FL, trying them out. I had decided to read some of this book while I was there. A couple of hours and several cups of coffee later, I closed the book, having finished it completely.
Needless to say, I was completely engrossed in it, from start to finish.
Don Landis, along with a team from Jackson Hole Bible College, has done an excellent job creating a concise account detailing some of the magnificent findings from around the world that do not fit the evolutionary premise that early man was primitive. In fact, artifacts and structures from around the world indicate that mankind was much more advanced than we give them credit for, possibly more advanced than we are today!
The Genius Of Ancient Man begins where any book about early history should, with a discussion of worldviews. Many of these artifacts are unexplainable by evolutionary premises. But a biblical worldview encompasses them nicely.
Before digging too deeply into my thoughts about the book, check out the official trailer:
The Genius Of Ancient Man is an excellent resource, filled with extensively researched information, and lots of fascinating photos, charts, and diagrams.
Landis and his team examine dozens of different examples, such as the importance of mountains to mankind, how it fits within a biblical framework, and how mankind attempted to duplicate them with towering structures all over the world, from the pyramids of Giza to Chichen Itza to Machu Picchu.
They look at the evidence that suggests mankind was extremely technologically advanced at the time of the dispersion from the tower of Babel. Exploring such topics as building methods, astronomy, and ancient artifacts discovered all around the world, Landis and his team show how mankind was able to accomplish significant feats that defy explanation in an evolutionary worldview.
With other chapters looking at the similarities in religious stories and legends, worldwide travel, music and art, and more, The Genius Of Ancient Man is full of astonishing findings that describe the potential that ancient man may have been able to reach.
Finally, the end of the book contains a list of biblical axioms; truths that should be understood universally, laying the foundation for a deeper understanding of God’s Word. That list, in itself, can be instrumental in educating people how to defend their faith. I know these concise principles will find their way into my teaching ministry.
Already, this book has become a frequently used resource for my personal study, and an excellent teaching resource for my family and ministry.
I suggest that you grab a copy today, and be prepared to spend the evening devouring it. I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down.
The Genius Of Ancient Man is truly evolution’s nightmare!
Have you ever wondered just how advanced early man may have been? What are your ideas on this? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
I highly recommend that you add The Genius Of Ancient Man: Evolution’s Nightmare, edited by Don Landis, with Jackson Hole Bible College, to your library. You can purchase it at Amazon.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“
Even though I have a Kindle, as well as the Kindle app on my iPad, I haven’t been much of an ebook reader. I simply prefer to read the print version. I have nothing against the electronic format, it’s just my personal preference.
However, I recently was given an electronic copy of Ken Ham’s book Dinosaurs For Kids. The opportunities for sharing this book with my kids, especially my eight-year-old son, have been almost endless.
We have been reading and re-reading page after page from this incredible resource.
Detailing the existence of dinosaurs from a biblical perspective, instead of an evolutionary one, Ken Ham has developed a fascinating resource in the enhanced version. With dozens of pop up descriptions of different dinos and their lifestyles, Dinosaurs For Kids gives the reader more information than could possibly fit into the print version of the book.
Dinosaurs For Kids covers all aspects of the existence of dinosaurs, from creation to to fall, from the flood to the fossil record, Ham gives a concise yet detailed account of these magnificent creatures. He also helps to dispel some of the evolutionary deceptions surrounding dinosaurs that are too readily accepted today.
Dinosaurs For Kids displays vivid images, and gives tons of detailed information about some of the most fascinating parts of God’s creation. My family really enjoyed it. I’m sure you will as well.
My favorite dinosaur is the plesiosaurus, a long-neck aquatic dinosaur that has been reportedly seen in Papua New Guinea. What’s yours ? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you are interested in readingDinosaurs For Kids, by Ken Ham, you can purchase the enhanced ebook at iTunes, or the print version at Amazon.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“
The Compendious Coffee Chart – The guys over at Pop Chart Lab have created a chart detailing the various ways to make and enjoy your coffee. The only problem I found is that they listed the AeroPress as an espresso maker. While $27 seems a bit steep, it would make a glorious addition to your wall.
Stunning Long Exposure Fireworks Photographs – I love the creative inspiration that comes from viewing someone else’s work. These photographs of fireworks make me wish it was the fourth of July so I could play with my camera a bit. I don’t think I could duplicate the beauty here, but it would be fun to try.
Liquid Nitrogen And 1500 Ping Pong Balls – Have you ever wondered just how powerful liquid nitrogen can be? If so, then this video is for you. Professor Roy Lowry, of Plymouth University, decided to see what could happen with liquid nitrogen and 1500 ping pong balls. The results were, well, explosive.
Fire – I occasionally dabble in writing poetry. I know, I hardly seem like the poetic type. But I enjoy the occasional limerick, as well as writings that are a bit more thought provoking. Fire is one such poem, written by Jean Williams.
Student Are Overwhelmed But Under-Challenged – Tim Elmore has written a two part series examining the idea that students aren’t being challenged enough, even though they are overwhelmed with busyness in life. As a youth minister, I have to agree. There is a lot out there that challenges our students, but not with very many meaningful activities that prepare them for life. Part 1. Part 2.
3 Things I Do To Grow My Affection For Jesus – Knowing Jesus isn’t enough to sustain our faith. We must be in love with Jesus, more than anything else. Nick Bogardus has listed three things on the Mars Hill blog that he does to grow his love for Christ. Are these the only three things you can do? Of course not. But there are definitely beneficial.
If you want to be big enough to lead, you must first be small enough to serve. – Brent Crowe, in Chasing Elephants
This time of year has become rather difficult for me. In the past few years, I’ve lost my brother, father, stepfather, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and three grandparents-in-law. Several of those losses happened in the fall. And others had birthdays in the fall. Missing them over the holidays makes memories of them even more poignant.
However, Scripture is full of comfort, especially in the Psalms. For example, read through Psalm 124, in it’s entirety. It’s only eight verses long. Our verse to memorize this week is verse 8.
Passages like this provide comfort and peace. They allow me to be reminded that God is fully in control, even though I may not understand why he has allowed certain things to happen.
And so, this year, and every other year, I can be thankful for that, even in the midst of missing those faces in my life.
I rest on the hope that I will see them again one day before the throne of God.
Like I said… Comfort.
When do you need reminders that God is in control, and will take care of our needs, hurts, and even many of our desires? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
