Posted in Harvest Bible Chapel - Jacksonville, Men on October 28, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Gentlemen of Harvest, I hereby invite you to a men’s breakfast buffet on November 7th at 7:30 a.m. at the Golden Corral on San Jose Blvd. Here’s a little promo video for it:
Ok, so that’s not our promo video. 
But it sure is a cool promo video, is it not?
Posted in BP Sports Columns, Pujols Family Foundation on October 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Check out this column by my friend Tim Ellsworth about a very special prom.
Posted in Parenting, Personal, Spiritual Growth on October 22, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Tonight I was watching the kids while Superwoman went shopping for groceries and necessities. The kids enjoyed playing, which being translated means when it came time to start thinking about showering and getting ready for bed, the house was a disaster. As I struggled to keep them on task in cleaning up, the thought hit me:
IF ONLY MY KIDS HAD THE SAME ENTHUSIASM FOR PUTTING TOYS UP AS THEY DID FOR GETTING THEM OUT!
Between my verbal encouragement (attempting to keep them on task) I was daydreaming about what it would be like for them to attack their chores with joy and enthusiasm, when suddenly another thought hit me:
IF ONLY I HAD THE SAME ENTHUSIASM FOR REPENTING OF SIN AS I DO FOR COMMITTING SIN!
Ouch. Ok, God. Just as my kids need to be trained and grow in many areas, so do I.
Posted in Just for Fun on October 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I’m in Jacksonville right now. But tomorrow at about 1:15 CST I’ll be just a few miles from O’Hare Airport where I’ll be hanging out with a lifetime friend as we indulge in borderline sinful behavior (but oh, so good!):
Posted in BP Sports Columns on October 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I am not a big fan of preseason rankings in sports. My latest column, “Of Preseason Polls and Pejudicial Christians” addresses the issue and has been published HERE.
Posted in Bible Design on October 17, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Eric from Leonard’s Book Restoration demonstrates the difference between bonded leather and real leather:
Posted in Books, James MacDonald, Uncategorized on October 15, 2009 | 2 Comments »
What a question! If I could recommend only one book besides the Bible, what would it be?
My initial thought would be Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan because it has stood the test of time as a classic that has encouraged the faith of untold numbers of Christians. But, it is a long book and a difficult book to read unless you get a modernized version.
My next thought is Desiring God by John Piper because no book I know of has had such a profound impact on so many of my friends, and myself. James MacDonald has said that it is probably the greatest book written in our generation. He could very well be right.
But at this point in my journey, if I had to pick out one book to give a person other than the Book of books, I think i would choose… (more…)
Posted in Books, John Piper on October 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
John Piper in January of 1979
…John Piper made the decision to no longer be a college professor and become a pastor. Why do I take notice of this day? Because I believe no man has had a more significant influence over young evangelical Christians in North America over the past 15 years than Piper. His books, particularly his signature work, Desiring God, have been a tremendous source of inspiration for millions. Because of his intellectual rigor, for those who have been longing for a reasonable yet passionate faith, his books have been an oasis amidst the desert of evangelical fluff. The thesis of the aforementioned book, and really the thesis for his entire ministry is this: (more…)
Posted in Eternity, Evangelism/Missions, Faith on October 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This past Sunday, I told a story about Michael Guido, who went to be with the Lord earlier this year at the age of 94. Dr. Guido served the Lord diligently for decades, never asking anyone for a penny. Yet God more than provided for his needs, raising up an international ministry that continues today by the leadership of his son. You may not recognize Dr. Michael Guido by name but you may recognize him from television. For many years he produced television PSAs (Public Service Announcements) titled “Seeds from the Sower” in which he shared the Good News of Christ. These television spots, filmed from the Guido Gardens (“a seed for the garden of your heart”) in Metter, Georgia brought hope to millions.
Here is a well-written story about Mr. Guido from a few years ago by J. Gerald Harris of the Christian Index.
Here is a sample of one of his later PSAs:
The primary Bible version I use for preaching, teaching, and studying is the English Standard Version (ESV).
For Bible study (listed in chronological order of publication):
King James Version (KJV)
New American Standard (NASB)
New King James Version (NKJV)
The NET Bible (NET)
English Standard Version (ESV)
A good translation to use for extended reading sessions:
New International Version (NIV84)
For a Bible that is a good compromise between literal and readable:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
For young children:
New Century Version (NCV)
New Living Translation (NLT)
New International Readers Version (NIrV)
Verse:
John 3:16; Jn 3:16; John 3
Keyword:
Salvation, Jesus, Gospel
With Operators:
AND, OR, NOT, “ â€
