God’s Word Continues to Speak Via Christian Web Sites That Offer You Outstandingly Helpful and Highly Supportive Christian Ebooks.

Some Christian web sites supply you with fundamental guidance by offering downloadable ebooks. These may be such unique Christian ebooks that capture the essence of Christian lifestyle and thereby help you to benefit from the assistance provided by helpful, supportive, Christian web sites throughout the world.

When you are searching for enhancement or enlightenment on Christian lifestyle endeavors, you may find that your best Christian ebooks online, in addition to brick and mortar outlets, now tend to meet, match, and even neutralize the pace set by our modern, conquest oriented, quick-fix society.

As uniquely stated that Christianity is a time-honored tradition, the word of God continues to show forth dependably. Within the technological advances of our time, solid Christian web sites knowingly provide digital beacons in conveniently obtainable and easily readable formats.

Compact disks, USB or flash remote disk drives, plus read-write CD-ROMs or DVDs synergistically combine, to offer you vast, economical, and rare selections of online and offline Christian development reading material.

This gives you the option, for example, to now almost effortlessly download ebooks from your own personal or preferred medley of Christian ebooks.

It is possible that standard stores possess a disadvantage in that regard. Because, although brick-and-mortar stores may carry or provide a large selection of hard-cover reading materials… they compete far less favorably with the no-cost, digital delivery features of Christian web sites.

Additionally, delivering much-desired, common-grounded cordiality, plus dependability in God-centered customer service (which Christian web sites especially supply), gives Christian market shoppers the well demanded and highly expected satisfaction they are seeking in an otherwise, seemingly complacent or non-caring, sales driven society.

Whether you are a devout, seasoned Christian, or a newcomer to the fold, basic Christian lifestyle concepts and fundamentals remain standing, without alteration or change.

For example, consider the following basic principle you see, constantly expounded upon by countless Christian web sites and Christian book distributors across the globe…

That is, one of the greatest and most helpful Christian commandments you may find is, “Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself. Do This For The Love Of Me.”

These words provide a challenge, if you will. They invite you to become a much better person… to improve your own human relationship skills, but most importantly… to bind yourself in-line with cooperative spiritual giving through enhanced personal control or power.

In essence, striving to increase power over ones self… emotionally, socially, spiritually… remains a formidable challenge and an almost elusive goal for many non-Christians and Christians alike.

Now, although only ten commandments form this generally solid basis for a positive, overall Christian life, the single commandment to take control over ones self continues to provide its own, unique obstacle course for millions of people you might encounter.

And, when fervently seeking God (or, in ones quest for attainment and adherence to God-centered principles)… one can easily forget, overlook, or simply underestimate the healing power associated with self-discipline, Christian adherence, and Godly direction.

In other words, God creates human beings with a general capacity to shine. Yet, we also operate with another unique ability. Meaning, another choice we can make just as easily is one that includes a decision to falter.

And, falling short of God’s glory may often become all too familiar, especially in today’s individualistically hectic, needs-driven society.

Therefore, considering all of the above… finding one solid source for peace of mind, innocent stress release, divinely approved relaxation, and majestic calm is a service that Christian web sites also have a calling to perform.

And, it is within such light that, today, you are here reading this article. Most likely, you seek to maximize your mutual sharing, understanding, and utilization of the Godly word.

Your goal is to acquire more confidence, in the Christian way. Plus, you desire to become equipped and readied by applying your focused intention and upgraded sincerity towards being a better person.

So, here is what you find. Out of all the millions of Christian web sites at which you may have landed on this day, God sees fit to place you here, to find the one, most useful gem out of many, that Christian web sites may offer you.

Yet, where lays your primary, greatest, and most obvious or startling, year 2008 Christian challenge?

Well, a Christian majority, much like almost any other normal majority in our populous, wants to walk away from essentially every Christian encounter… with personal improvement, newfound joy, and uplifted willpower to take positive action upon the Godly principles, concepts, or fundamentals revisited in online mediums like Christian ebooks, for example.

Christianity is not a new occurrence. And, Christian guidelines on sex, marriage, lifestyle, or career sometimes deserve to be presented to you in an invitingly optimistic way.

Rare and unique Christian web sites manage to meet your expectations for such options - offering you Christian reading material specifically selected to match multi-purposed facets of your life.

As merely a polite and well intended suggestion, you can allow Christian web sites to help you find your own place in God’s plan for this world.

By: Fitness Doctor

Paul Keith Davis Visits A Treasury Room in Heaven

And in this treasury room there were items of immense value, paintings, books and poetry and blueprints that are of incredible value. And the Lord said they were the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ.

Gods Word Continues to Speak

As uniquely stated that Christianity is a time-honored tradition, the word of God continues to show forth dependably. Within the technological advances of our time, solid Christian web sites knowingly provide digital beacons in.

John Franke on Plurality 2.0

I believe one of the most significant challenges facing the church is the sheer, existential reality of Christian plurality. While we often speak glibly of the Christian tradition, even a cursory glance at the history of the church.

Technorati Tags: christian ebooks, ebooks, ebooks online

This article firstly describes the pre-Christian common religion of the Germans and Scandinavians, and then probes the possible historic links of this religion and its gods as actual derivations of history. As this can neither be proven nor disproven, this essay simply probes all possibilities.

The word “euhemerism” in this article refers to the study of factual roots of “mythology”.

ODIN

The “High One” and leader of the pan-Germanic Pantheon. He is the grandson of Ymir, the first humanoid created of ice, and son of Borr and the frost giantess Bestla. With his two brothers Vi and Vili, Odin killed his grandfather (Ymir), and created the Nine Worlds from his felled body, including Midgard, the world of men. For doing so, he is called the Allfather. He is also known for having seeded Yggdrasil, the World Tree which supports the worlds. In his quest for knowledge, he sacrificed his eye, throwing it into the Well of Mimir to acquire complete and universal knowledge, as well as magical power. He also hung himself for nine days and nights from a tree, probably the World Tree itself, to advance his magical power and understanding of the world of the dead. He is also known for having created the first Germanic alphabet, Runic, in his experience whilst hanging from the tree as a writing system for his adherents. He is the father of the foremost famous of the German and Scandinavian Pantheon, including Thor, Baldur, and Tyr. He rides a typically 6-legged horse, Schleipnir, and hurls a spear Gungnir, impervious to failure and unable to stray from its target. Two ravens, Hunin and Munir, observe the world and return to his throne in Valhalla to report on the moral and cosmic condition of men and the worlds he had created from his grandfather’s dismembered body. He is revered as the god of poetry, war, the dead/afterlife, and will. “Wednesday” is named after Odin by the synonym Weden/Wedne during the importation of Christianity into the Germanic British Isles. As foreseen in the Voluspa chapter of the Edda, Odin is to be killed at Ragnaroek by the Fenris Wolf, Fenrir.

(Odin in his quest for knowledge, and the prediction of his death)
‘Far have I fared, much afield have I been, have oft striven in strength with gods: what wight will end Allfather’s life, what draws near the dreaded doom?’
(The Poetic Edda, translated by Lee M. Hollander, ‘Lokasenna’, pg.92)

Euhemeristic Interpretation: Odin is historically more so worshiped in Scandinavia than Germany and England as far as evidence is available today. The belief in Odin gradually worked to replace the more dominant worship of Tyr throughout the Germanic world shortly before the Christianization of the early German kingdoms (Gothic, Saxon, and Frankish), which occurred from the 5th century under Chlodwig to the 9th under Karl the Great (Charlemagne). This indicates that Odin was a more recent addition to German religion. This claim is reinforced by the fact that Odin is credited with having formulated the Runic alphabet, which appeared in inscriptions from the 2nd century onward. As the majority of Runic inscriptions and Runestones, as well as the greatest extent of worship of Odin appeared in Scandinavia and especially Sweden, this indicates that Odin was probably a prehistoric chieftain or warlord in Scandinavia around the time of the birth of Jesus, and quickly became accepted throughout Germany as Wotan and in England as Woden/Weden (Wednesday). Many dynasties in Norway and Sweden claim descent from Odin, especially under the mythological Yngling dynasty of Sweden, dating before the time of Christianization from the 7-9th centuries. The more advanced nature of Odin as a god of poetry, war, knowledge, and leadership in comparison with the previous belief in the very simple god of war and will (Tyr) implies that worship of Odin occurred only shortly before Christianization. There are many ancient wooden sculptures and statues of a one-eyed god in Germany, England, and Scandinavia predating the Roman Republic, but this mythological belief in a one-eyed, yet all-seeing god may or may not have been imported into the worship of the new historical chieftain Odin as an embodiment of this god of the sky.

TYR

The god of war in Germanic religion, he is considered among the wisest, foremost faithful, and loyal of the Pantheon under Odin, often called “Tyr the Wise”. Alternate spellings, including Tue, Tir, Tor, Tien, and Dien are also used. The English “Tuesday” and German “Dienstag” are named after Tyr upon being imported into the British Isles and the new German-created proto-English language. Very little is known of his origin and family. He is often considered the son of Odin, though it is never expressly stated in the Edda of Snorri Sturlusson in the Icelandic Skald literary circles. He is most famous for having only one arm, having sacrificed his right arm to chain the evil wolf Fenrir, bastard son or creation of Loki, in order to protect the Pantheon and the righteous of men. He is to be killed at Ragnaroek by the hell hound Garm. During the Third Reich, Tyr was once again placed in high esteem in the Schutzstaffel (SS). “Mystic” circles within the Third Reich promoted the use of the left hand for social use and writing instead of the dominant right in order to both honor Tyr and promote distinction of German ethnic civilization from other cultures.

(in reference to Tyr’s courageous sacrifice of his arm to subdue the [Fenris Wolf] for the gods’ defense)
‘I lost my hand, Hrothvitnir (’Famous Wolf’) thou, a baleful loss to us both: in bondage now must bide his time the Wolf, till the world is doomed.’
(The Poetic Edda, translated by Lee M. Hollander, ‘The Flyting of Loki’ pg.98)

Euhemeristic Interpretation: as Tyr was traditionally the foremost worshiped of the ethnic Germans throughout England, Scandinavia, and Germany until the appearance of Odin (see the above entry of Odin), this indicates that Tyr existed much earlier either as a being or an upheld cult sky god. Taking into account the simplicity of war ritual in contrast to the more complex fields such as poetry and literacy for which Bragi and Odin are famous, as well as the fact that worship of Odin appeared much later en masse than worship of Tyr, it appears that Tyr was a very early prehistoric chieftain. As he was worshiped foremost in Germany, the probable birthplace of Tyr was in Germany or Denmark, where accounts of Roman origin depict German kingdoms, especially the Goths, as having torn arms from those assailants killed in battle, hanging them on trees as sacrifices to Tyr for having sacrificed his arm. Therefore, the period of Tyr’s life would in probability be before the birth of Jesus, the time in which the later faith in Odin became increasingly popular. One-armed statues of wood and stone appear in the Germanic world in the prehistorical period.

THOR

Son of Odin and Joerd, Thor is the most famous of the figures in German and Norse pre-Christian religion. He is the god of war, strength, thunder/lightning, and physical battle, most iconified for his use of Mjollnir (”Mee-ol-neer”), the mighty hammer capable of destroying any target with ease, supporting such magnificent strength that none but Thor himself may yield it, even then requiring magic-imbued gloves to prevent his own immolation. He is famous for his quests in fishing, hunting, and poaching the vaunted Jormungnger serpent, peril of the world of men (Midgard). At Ragnaroek, he is to die in combat with the serpent, mutually having released a fatal blow, with Thor poisoned. Also called Donar and Thur, he is the root of the German “Donarstag” and the English “Thursday” following the creation of the English language by the Germanic Anglo-Saxon of England.

(in reference to Thor’s Hammer, Mjollnir, in defense of the gods against Loki the Trickster)
‘Hush thee, ill wight, or my hammer of might, Mjollnir, shall shut thy mouth: my right hand will hew thee with [Mjollnir], and break every bone in thy body.’
(The Poetic Edda, translated by Lee M. Hollander, ‘The Flyting of Loki’, pg.103)

Euhemeristic Interpretation: Thor is worshiped almost universally amongst the pre-Christian Germanic populations in Scandinavia, Germany, England, and the Baltic. A form of Thor as Ukko also appears in pre-Christian Finnish and Estonian religion, indicating a common ethnic origin argument as a possibility. Thor is a useful phenomenon as a way of investigating the Germanic ethnic heritage of Northern Europe, and to what to extent the Scandinavians and Baltic peoples are related to Germans versus Slavs or independent entities. Due to the ritual simplicity of the war phenomenon, as with Tyr, it is logical to suggest that both Tyr and Thor lived long before Odin (if they lived at all), as Odin was only adopted in worship long after these two figures shortly before the conversion of the Germans and Scandinavians to Christendom by Chlodwig I. Due to the nationalism and romanticism of the Skaldic poets under Snorri Sturlusson in Iceland in the 11th century, Thor probably falsely became affiliated as the son of Odin in promotion of Odin’s supremacy of the Pantheon. Thor may have been created later as a unified god of war for the various Germanic ethnic peoples in Scandinavia, Germany, and the Baltic, where there previously existed a faceless sky god for warfare that is today identified as Tyr. (see above). The thunder god is worshiped with cognate identities in the Baltic peoples (Latvians and Estonians) as Ukko or Taaraa. The blatant relation between power and thunder indicates that Thor was probably a constructed god of war and power.

FREYJA

Sister of Freyjr and daughter of Njordr (god of wind and storms), Freyja is one of the most famous of the Pantheon of German religion. She is the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, sex, attraction, and relationships for women. “Fertility” is mutually applied to that of the field and harvest, as well as to that of virility for childrearing. Her name is also spelled as Freya, Frei, and Frea. There is much dispute over her connection with the goddess Frigg. The two are often considered distinct, and often the same as the wife of Odin. As such, it is uncertain whether the English “Friday” and German “Freitag” originate in Freyja or Frigg. Though her role in historical social and religious understanding of the natural sexual phenomenon is important, she is often rendered as the female opposite of Baldur as the symbol for moral purity of women.

(in defense of the Aesir [gods] in the face of insults by Loki the Trickster)
‘Thy slanderous tongue, twill’ thy sorrow be, and still will work thee woe; wroth are the gods and goddesses, thoul’t fare sadly home from hence.’
(The Poetic Edda, translated by Lee M. Hollander, ‘Lokasenna’, pg.97)

Euhemeristic Interpretation: Freyja was worshiped throughout the Germanic world, with the greatest concentration in Scandinavia. It is probable that Freyja was actually a socio-religious creation to understand the natural phenomena of love and procreation as an act of nature. If Freyja did exist as a true historical figure, we may assume that she was simply the wife of the historical Odin, with the oral understanding of her life passed down as a separate goddess. Otherwise, she may be completely a social construction as a source of understanding for the phenomenon of creation of children.

FREYJR

Brother of Freyja, Freyjr (also called “Frey” or “Freyj”) is the male equivalent of Freyja for love, sexuality, fertility, relationships, and the harvest. He is the brother of Freyja and son of Njordr, god of the storms. As with Freyja, Freyjr is typically associated with historical cultural understanding of the natural phenomenon of fertility and birth, but also played a role in understanding male morality and justice. He maintains the thriving of agriculture and the overall development and cultivation of individuals. Fertility is defined by majority in historical religion as the function of procreation and intercourse rather than pleasure and sex of today. Freyjr is to die at Ragnaroek by the hand of Surt, the fire giant who is to rally the forces of the giants and of evil against the Pantheon (Aesir) in the final battle between the gods. It is unclear in which of the two siblings (Freyjr and Freyja) the English “Friday” and German “Freitag” root.

“The battle-bold Freyr rideth first on the golden-bristled barrow-boar to the bale-fire of Baldur, and leads the people.”
Hsdrpa, Lee M. Hollander translation

Euhemeristic Interpretation: Like Freyja, Freyjr was worshiped almost universally across the Germanic populations, and was held as one of the highest gods. The ritual of the “Christmas ham” (or Jul Ham) was originally intended to reflect the sacrifice of a boar or pig to the god Freyjr, as described by Adam von Bremen, a key source of late pre-Christian Germanic religion. Considering how this Jul tradition is historically celebrated in every Germanic culture and region, this reinforces that the worship of Freyjr as a being or as a personality was deeply rooted in the history of German religion. As with Freyja, it appears most probable to assume that Freyjr was possibly only a socio-religious creation to understand natural phenomena such as procreation and marriage bonds. If he did exist, it is possible that he was simply the father-in-law of the historical Odin, and was later deified under nationalist and romanticist literary movements like those of Snorri Sturlusson and the Icelandic Skald-poets from the 10th to the 13th century. He may have simply been a king affiliated with Odin as a being highly revered for morality and strength as a paradigm for his adherents.

HEIMDALL

Often considered a son of Odin himself, Heimdall (also spelled “Heimdal” and “Heimdallr”) is the god representing vigilance, senses, perception, foresight/prediction, and readiness. He is the guardian and watchman of Valhalla and the Bifrst Bridge, the rainbow on which the members of the Pantheon are able to traverse between the worlds. He is to be the last to die of importance at Ragnaroek, the end of this world time, and is the one credited with having the task of finally slaying Loki himself, the trickster god of evil and lust. He alerts the adherents of the Pantheon, the Einherjar (dead soldiers in Valhalla), and the Nine Worlds using the Gjallarhorn, apparently a bull’s or buffalo’s horn which, when blown, is heard universally by the Germanic peoples of the world.

‘…the downfall bodes when blares the gleaming old Gjallarhorn; loud blows Heimdall with horn aloft…’
(The Poetic Edda, translated by Lee M. Hollander, ‘Voluspa’, pg.9)

Euhemeristic Interpretation: As with most of the Pantheon gods, it is equally as possible that Heimdall was a legitimate historical figure as it is that he was simply an ethnocultural invention, and is impossible to both prove or disprove. The appearance of Heimdall in worship appears almost exclusively in Scandinavia, and much less so if at all in Germany proper or its Low Countries. As the Scandinavian cultures were Christianized much later than the majority of Germany to the south (Germany from 300-800 by majority, Scandinavia from 700-1200), this implies that, in tandem with the romanticism of the Skaldic poets of Iceland, Heimdall could have been a later invention or later historical figure. Due to the fact that Heimdall is mostly associated with readiness and preparation in the face of a coming threat, it is possible to claim that he was a legitimate king or servant who resisted a coming threat shortly before the end of the Pantheon as a religious function (thus pre-Christian) in its original form. It could equally be possible to claim that Heimdall was invented as an idea to inspire the adherents of the old religion to remain ready in the face of foreign incursion (Christian missionaries).

BRAGI

Among the wisest and most knowledgeable of the gods of the Pantheon, Bragi is the god of poetry, writing and literacy, knowledge, and the transmission of the word of Odin and the Pantheon. He is often considered one of the sons of Odin, as with Thor, and is the husband of Idunn, the goddess of immortality and perfect moral purity, whose apples allow the gods to bear eternal life. Bragi is shown by Snorri Sturlusson’s sources (the Edda) to be the finest expression of a higher tongue, refined speech, and writing. He is thus associated with diplomacy, debate, and justice, and is often paralleled to Forseti, son of Baldur, the god of justice.

(in defense of the Aesir [gods] in the face of insults by Loki the Trickster)
‘My sword and saddle horse, I beseech thee, Loki, take and eke mine arm ring lest to holy hosts thy hatred thou showest: beware of the gods’ anger!’
(The Poetic Edda, translated by Lee M. Hollander, ‘Lokasenna’, pg.92)

Euhemeristic Interpretation: Due to the complicated purposes and roles of Bragi as shown in the Edda, it is logical to claim that Bragi was either a very late addition to the Pantheon of worship as a historical figure or a conceptual representation. He is associated with the golden age of Germanic literature and poetry, specifically that of the Icelandic Skald-poets around the 13th century and the German writers like Wolfram von Eschenbach and Walter von der Vogelweide earlier. As widespread literacy, along with the use of the ancient Runic system of writing peaked near and shortly before the Viking era, this implies that Bragi was either a brilliant poet and writer just before Christianization, or simply an invention by the Skalds to represent the phenomena they were addressing in completely codifying the old religion of the German and Nordic world. He may have also been invented earlier by the priests and scholars of prehistoric Germanic culture as an embodiment of their quest for knowledge.

FORSETI

The Germanic god of peace, diplomacy, truth, knowledge, and justice, Forseti is one of the less famous of the German and Nordic Pantheonic gods. He is the grandson of Odin, and son of Baldur — god of moral purity and innocence — and his wife Nanna. Like his father, he is portrayed as a wise, moral, and just member of the Pantheon bearing an incomparable, radiant light of purity and flawlessness. By his hand oaths were traditionally sworn between kings as the highest sign of truth, obedience, and justice. He is seen as the god assigned to the maintenance of the laws of Odin upon men, the symbol of truth, legitimacy, and goodness. Besides his wise and praised name and importance as a son of one of the highest gods (Baldur, son of Odin), he is seldom noted throughout the Edda, and did not appear at Ragnaroek. Thus, it can be assumed that he was one of the few survivors of the Armageddon affair, or was killed beforehand.

Shining the tenth, which with gold is propped, and is shingled with shining silver; there Forseti unflaggingly sits, the god that stills all strife.”
(The Poetic Edda, translated by Lee M. Hollander, ‘The Lay of Grimnir’, pg.57)

Euhemeristic Interpretation: Though relatively uncommon and unmentioned throughout the Edda, evidence of intense worship of Forseti has appeared throughout the Germanic world, primarily in Germany proper and its Low Countries of the modern-day Netherlands, Belgium, etc. The greatest concentration of worship appears within the German Frisian (Friesen) culture of the modern-day northern Netherlands. It is said that his historical place of foremost worship is the island of Heligoland, a small island of under 3,000 inhabitants off the northern coast of Germany and the Netherlands. This island, whose root words translate to “Holy Land” (heiliges Land), is said to imply that it is the holy site of Forseti’s kingdom or place of residence. Considering the great deal of concentrated worship in a specific area, it would appear that he was once a legitimate historical king or wise man who mediated warring powers during the pre-Christian period. It is also possible to claim that the infamous role of Forseti in forging alliances, ensuring bonds of trust, and reinforcing stability may have legitimately rooted in the formation of the unified Scandinavian kingdoms or those of the Anglo-Saxons in England or Germans in Germany proper, whose first kings had been non-Christian, in which Forseti may have played a large role. It is equally possible that Forseti may have simply been a social and religious creation to symbolize the bond of trust, faith, and duty between loving partners, military alliances, and vassal kings throughout the German cultures.

BALDUR

Along with Thor, Baldur is considered the most majestic and magnificent of the sons of Odin and thus the Pantheon. Also called Baldr, Balder, and Baldir, he is the god of moral purity, justice, peace, innocence, chastity, and flawlessness. He is portrayed with a radiant glowing white light, and thus the flower ‘Baldur’s Brow’ is named after him due to its bright white hue. He is the most loved of those in Valhalla under Odin, the most wondrous and flawless of all his sons. He is credited with building the most massive and advanced ship ever built, eventually to be used for his funeral in the traditional method of burning German and Scandinavian kings at sea via fire. He is the primary indicator of the coming end of this world, the Ragnaroek, via his death at the hands of his own brother, Hoedr. The blind Hoedr had been tricked by the wicked and immoral Loki to fire an arrow at the invincible god Baldur, killed by one of his own kin. This death and thus the funeral by fire included his wife Nanna, whose loyalty was so intense that she died of grief and willing suicide with his funeral pyre.

(in reference to the death of Baldur by the mistletoe poison-tipped arrow of Hoedir)
“I saw for Baldur, the blessed god, Ygg’s (Odin’s) greatest son, what doom is hidden: green and glossy, there grew aloft, the trees among, the mistletoe.”
(The Poetic Edda, translated by Lee M. Hollander, ‘Lokasenna’, pg.92)

Euhemeristic Interpretation: It is possible to suggest that Baldur was a socio-religious invention to understand or promote the cultural call for Germanic moral purity and chastity, a trait quite admired by the Roman historian Tacticus, in whose documentary “Germania” he adulated on the exclusive piety, faith, and moral strength of the Germanic peoples. He may also have simply been created as a cultural and religious ideal. If not a false or conceptual invention, it is possible to postulate that Baldur existed simply as the son of the historic Odin, himself revered as a limitlessly holy and wise god, which thus propagated to his son Baldur upon his successive deification and worship. Otherwise, it is also possible to claim that he was simply a revered pre-historical figure who embodied social morality and purity of chastity, innocence, and goodness, and was later deified and romanticized under the Skald-poets as a son of Odin himself due to his importance and discipline.

By: European Heritage Alliance

Technorati Tags: christian, christian baptist, pre-christian

King Josiah had ordered the rebuilding and repair of the temple which had been neglected for over fifty years. One day the king’s scribe or secretary came to him with a scroll in his hands. He said to the king, ‘All that you told us to do is being done. We have gotten the workmen and they are busy doing the work.’ Then he said, ‘Hilkiah, the priest, found this book as they were working in the temple.’Then the scribe read to the king from the book. It was part of the Bible, the book of the law which God had commanded Moses to write down eight hundred years before this. It had been carefully put away in the Holy of Holies, the very inmost part of the temple where only the high priest could enter.

The leaders had been commanded to take it out and read it to the people every seven years. Perhaps the priests had made other copies very carefully lest the one Moses wrote should wear out. When the king and the people had turned to idols, God’s Word was forgotten. They did not want to hear it. Many, many years had gone by since the law had been read to the people.

King Josiah had never heard God’s law in all his life. The scribe read to him words like these, ‘Thou shalt not make any idols or images which the Lord your God hateth. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me, ‘Deuteronomy 16:21,22. Then the scribe read of the dreadful punishment that should come to them if they disobeyed, Deuteronomy 28:14-28. ‘If you will not obey the voice of God to do His commandments then you will have very heavy punishment. You will have sickness and famine. Your enemies will come to fight, and God will not help you against them. Your children will be taken prisoners. Finally God will allow a great nation to come against you and take you captive to another land. There you can serve gods of wood and stone. You will be mocked and laughed at in these other countries. All these things will come upon you because you did not listen to God’s voice and would not keep His Word.’

When King Josiah heard these words, he was sorrowful and afraid. He felt so distressed he torn his clothes. He said, ‘We have not kept the Word of the Lord to do the things that are written in this book, and these punishments will come upon us.’ He sent the scribe and the priest to a prophetess, a woman who knew and loved God’s Word. She sent back a message, ‘God says that punishment will come upon the people because of their disobedience; but it will not come while King Josiah lives, because his heart is tender and he has humbled himself before the Lord.’

By: Juliamay

Worldnutdaily: Barbarism Key to Morality

Well, to be fair, most scholars think that story of the discovery of the book of Deutoronomy by King Josiah was staged and it was actually written long after the rest of the rest of the first five books specifically to get the people.

Debunking Christianity: Why I Left Christianity?

Um have you even read the bible? I don’t find the biblical stories very appealing at all, it is filled with racism, violence, threats, and disruption. Are those the kinds of values you hold dear akakiwi?

For the Bible Tells Me So

I’ve never understood why we look on the ancient civilizations as making up a bunch of stori fef es to explain their word yet The Bible is the end all be all of how to live your life even in modern times for a majority of Americans.

Technorati Tags: children's bible, children's bible lessons, kids bible

Reading Christian books, listing to Christian music, and partaking in other contemporary Christian entertainment can be a source of spiritual renewal and great joy. Christian entertainment can also present a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with other Christians in an environment infused with the spirit and love of God.

You can participate in the joyful celebration of God’s work through man by starting a Christian book club, a Bible study group, or hosting a “listening” party for the latest contemporary Christian music.

To launch a book club, decide upon the date and time of the first meeting, then post a notice on the bulletin board at your church, or make an announcement in your church’s newsletter or bulletin. Try and recruit book club members from diverse age groups and backgrounds. Having differing views will add interest to later book club discussions. Ask each book club member to bring the titles of two suggested books to the first meeting.

At your first meeting, decide upon a regular day and time for future meetings. The maximum time between meetings should be one month, although many book clubs meet every two weeks. Also discuss who will lead the book club discussions. Some clubs have a single leader for all books, while others choose to have the person who selected the book lead that particular book’s discussion. You may also wish to decide whether refreshments will be served and, if so, who is responsible for providing snacks and beverages.

The final - and most fun - step is deciding which book to read first. Take a vote, make a list of the top three choices, and read the books in that order. Book club members should commit to reading the book prior to the next meeting, and the discussion leader should commit to developing a list of study guide questions or points of discussion. If themes in the book correspond to passages in the Bible, the discussion leader should be prepared to guide book club members to those passages.

Each of the book club members should then purchase the book that has been chosen. The Fisher of Men online bookstore offers deep discounts on Christian books, music, software, Bibles, videos, and gifts.

Whether your book club chooses a Christian novel or a non-fiction book, such as “The Purpose-Driven Life,” you can have a lively discussion of Christian principles in an environment of fellowship and community.

According a recent study, about half of Americans will buy at least one Christian book this year. The uptick in the sales of Christian titles has led secular online and brick-and-mortar bookstores to carry unprecedented numbers of Christian books. However, instead of shopping at secular bookstores, many Christians are choosing to support online bookstores owned and operated by other Christians. Common thought is that Christians should monetarily support the ministries of other Christians who are spreading God’s word through the sale of bibles, as well as through the sale of Christian books, videos, software, music, and audio books.

Author: Chris Robertson

Neale Donald Walsch - God’s plagerist?

Walsch’s story purports to tell the tale of a miraculous appearance of the words “Christ Was Love” during the rehearsal of his son’s school Christmas pageant; but his article is almost identical to the same article published 10.

Alexandra Pelosi Examines The Friends Of God

If you read Darwin (and many of his proponents), you will see that an a priori assumption of these people is that there is no God and darwinistic evolution proves that (never mind that they have their own god(s) - that’s another post).

Thinking Christian: Suicide

PJP: To add to curlysmom’s advice, I’d recommend going to a Christian bookstore and finding a Bible Study or a history book on the Christian faith. Many (not all) of your questions could be answered that way.

Technorati Tags: Christian Bookstore Discount, christian life, christian ministry

As the Christian perspective on dating is different from that of non-Christians, it is quite possible that Christian singles get confused about several concepts that relate to dating.

Hence, instead of making mistakes in such confused dating situations, it is better for them to seek guidance from one of the available Christian books on dating. These books will help Christian singles find ways to enjoy their dating phase in accordance with biblical wisdom, principles and the teachings of the God.

Online medium is the best way to purchase these Christian dating books as they can be availed at very affordable rates, online. Also, it is the most convenient way to purchase these books. Also, you could lay hand on numerous e-books that cater to the topic.

Don’t Date Naked, Every Teenager’s Little Black Book on Sex and Dating, 10 Commandments of Dating, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, I Gave Dating a Chance and Boundaries in Dating are some of the picks on Christian dating that can be read by Christian singles. In these books, you may find names of famous Christian dating websites.

Furthermore, once you browse for these books, you may also find related discussion forums at some sites that talk about reviews of the related books. An online forum is of great help as the participants recommend more good books that they have already read and that others can read for a better Christian approach towards dating. Participants may also exchange their viewpoints or tips that they have learned after reading other Christian dating books.

These books also guide you with the right way to chat in the online forums. They tell you to be mindful of Christian virtues like self control, respect, kindness and honor. You must not indulge in arguments of any kind and maintain peace in online discussions.

Be careful to be humble in your approach when you express your viewpoint over a certain issue that you might think is justified as you have read it in any Christian dating book. This is because it might hurt someone else’s feelings or might not be acceptable to any other person for they may believe in an opinion contrary to it.

Also, you may discuss the teaching of Christ for Christians dating and the way it has been presented in Christian dating books read by you. You might also ask for opinion of other participants over certain Christian dating rules mentioned in the book that you don’t agree with. For example, there may be an opinion in some book which says that according to the Bible, Christianity allows interracial dating. But you may not agree to this fact. So, you can confirm it from participants in these online forums according to the knowledge gained by them after reading other Christian dating books.

Apart from this, you may find these Christian books on dating at your local Christian library or you may ask for them from your pastor. You are sure to benefit a lot by reading these books so start picking them right away. Source: eChristiandatingadvice dot com

Author: Louis Zhang

The Ten Commandments of Dating: Time-Tested Laws for Building

The Ten Commandments of Dating: Time-Tested Laws for Building Successful Relationships. Product Description. The Ten Commandments of Dating, completely revised and updated, offers hope and sanity to singles who are sick and tired.

Read Christian Books on Dating For Successful Relationships

As the Christian perspective on dating is different from that of non-Christians, it is quite possible that Christian singles get confused about several concepts that relate to dating .

Do People Need Dating Coaching?

Today’s dating culture is so complex, and yet I firmly believe that it’s the best time ever to be dating and to be creating relationships…because we have tools and resources like never before to enable a more successful dating experience.

Technorati Tags: books, christian dating relationship, dating tips

There is nothing quite like reading good books. Perhaps you especially enjoy reading good Christian books. There are certainly some wonderful old classics and very interesting new releases. The Christian community has produced a lot of different authors. With the release of the movie based on C.S. Lewis “Prince Caspian”, maybe the idea of reading or re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia popped into your mind. They are such good books. It would be nice to add the ability to engage in discussions and insights into the book as you read.

If you have ever had the opportunity to be involved in a Christian Book Club then you know that they can be a wonderful experience. It is fun to hear the things other people get out of the same book you are reading. Perspectives on the story that you might have missed become apparent in the midst of discussion. The problem with most book clubs is that they often start strong but then begin to fade. The reality is we live in a busy world and it becomes difficult to schedule times when everyone in the club can get together. If people miss a meeting because of a scheduling conflict or fall behind in their reading they will often just drop out of the group.

Starting a book club with an Internet component could be the best way to fix the problem of a traditional book club setting. A virtual book club that can be accessed when people have time and can leave their comments. This club could be open to people all over the world allowing for some great cultural view points.

For people who still want a more traditional book club setting, instead of trying to meet every week, a once a month meeting could be arranged where your local group can get together for some one on one discussion. The rest of the month, having an online component would allow people to read and stay connected in spite of busy schedules. It is much easier to add a once a month meeting into your schedule than a once a week meeting. You really don’t want to stretch a book out longer than a month.

You can either start your own online book club or you can join one that already exists and encourage your local group members to join up as well. Joining an online book club should be free. The advantage to joining a club that already exists online is that they will organize the book selections and keep the club running. Either way, the ability to read and discuss good Christian Books just got a little easier.

Author: Stephen Lawes

Book Review: A Whole New Life

Is Price a conservative, evangelical, Bible-thumping Christian? No. Not at the time of writing this book, anyway. I don’t get the idea that he was even part of any type of organized religion, actually.

Triablogue: The New Testament Canon And Church Authority

They are a witness to that tradition, and not any of the many other “Christian” groups that existed at the time. And the lap he is sitting in, is the idea that there was one catholic church which was the ark of truth.

Pithy perspective for everybody’s church

The good, the bad and other ideas: Being a cynical sort, I was ready to mock this feel-good, inspirational little book (156 pages, not including the reader’s guide at the end) that is clearly intended to be a Christian book club classic.

Technorati Tags: book clubs online, christian book clubs, free book clubs

Father’s Day for Christian fathers is a special time. Not only are they celebrating the fact that they are blessed to be fathers, but also are giving thanks for having their Father, the Lord. Getting a gift for Father’s Day for Christian fathers is as simple as going to your local religious store, located in many malls and churches. Some great gifts you can share on Father’s Day for Christian fathers are:

The poem ‘Footprints’ by Mary Stevenson (or Anonymous) - This is a very well-known religious poem that has been placed on items of every shape and size. From throw rugs to framed art, to plaques and picture frames, to bookends and pillows, ‘Footprints’ is a story that can be appreciated by Christian fathers everywhere. Make the item really special by making it yourself. - The poem ‘Footprints’ can be found in many books and online. Create a border collage of pictures around the text and add a nice frame. - Make a plaster footprint and write the poem around it. - If you do cross-stitching, rubber stamping or calligraphy, why not make ‘Footprints’ into your own unique piece of artwork.

Bibles of every kind - This is a gift that will keep on giving, as Christian dads can find comfort within the pages of this uplifting book. For Father’s Day, you can find a bible with a leather cover, or personalize it with a special message created just for dad.

Crucifix Statues and Jewelry - These pieces of artwork will be appreciated everyday, around the house or at the office. Jewelry can be found in platinum, gold or silver, while statues can be found in bronze, gold, silver, glass and porcelain.

Religious T-Shirts - For everyday wear, these gifts are great for those fathers who like to announce to the world their love of God. With cross designs, religious figure designs and bible quotes, religious t-shirts are great on Father’s Day for Christian fathers.

The kinds of Father’s Day gifts you can give to Christian men are limited only by your imagination. If the gift comes from the heart, it will be cherished and appreciated for years.

Author: Nicola Kennedy

Father”s Day and Mother’s Day Around the World

Considering that Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are, depending on their origins, celebrated on different dates in different countries, the lucky parents may receive fef their well deserved flowers, cards and gifts on three occasions.

The Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions

General: That the laity and the Christian communities may be responsible promoters of priestly and religious vocations. Mission: That the recently founded Catholic Churches, grateful to the Lord for the gift of faith.

Our Daily Bread - The Father’s Faithfulness

“You look so unhappy.” I wasn’t; I was just thinking, and I can’t do two things at once. But to make him happy, I smiled. “Not like that,” he said. “I mean a real smile.”

Technorati Tags: christian fathers, father's day, father's day gift

Here are the things that you need to remember when you are buying wholesale jewelry:. You can find it over here. If they do not do specialty searches then you will end up being stuck with whatever listings they have no matter what. Finding Cingular 3125 Closeout is easy. Getting back to our crystal example keep your site focused on crystal or glassware don’t throw in pictures or garden chairs. Another thing to remember is that it may not be good to go off building a web site and setting up your business until you are fully prepared and have a comprehensive business plan that gives you a definite strategy for surviving against the competition.

I can concentrate on my manufacturing operation and leave the wholesale distribution headaches to you. This however does not seem to affect the empire that much. There are different laws that regulate the reselling and wholesale business in many states in the USA, however, that is not an implication that you need a business license to sell wholesale merchandise. See Wholesale directory It’s a much harder to keep a regular flow of stock coming in with seasonal and trend selling but the profits can often be much bigger than the norm. When a potential wholesale distributor asks for this information you can count on them being a legit factory direct dealer.
Keeping in mind that building a wholesale business like any other business is a long-term process. Take the time to ensure outstanding craftsmanship on every piece, with cheap 5 Sildenafil Citrate Wholesale. Loose diamonds wholesale suppliers usually carry a vast variety of common cuts. Granted that because you are buying in bulk you can save lots of money but you are not buying wholesale, and thus Buy wholesale from supplier.

Now this is the only and most effective way to lure clients towards you. Another thing to remember is that it may not be good to go off building a web site and setting up your business until you are fully prepared and have a comprehensive business plan that gives you a definite strategy for surviving against the competition. In the past retailers would call local liquidators to bid on excess returned and out-of-date products a method that “leaves a lot to be desired” says Bill Angrick CEO of Liquidity Services Inc. Most people look through search engines and web directories trying to find a supplier or dealer of goods they can sell that will actually compete and all they get is a list full of middle men and scams. Fact is, those companies just do not have a budget to advertise their business to the little guy like you. This is why it seems like it is impossible to try and find a really good supplier with products that people want at competitive prices. Get more at buywholesale-wholesalers.org You will also find that they are easy to transport and that you will be able to manage them without a large truck or warehouse.

By: berry clarkson

Wholesale Dropship Book Distributors For Your Internet Business

wholesale book distributors drop ship dropshipping internet business. Some like legal thrillers. Some go for historical novels. Self-help books have a big reader base, as do Christian books.

Christian Book Buy Wholesales

Visit one of the light bulk wholesale directory today and you would be happy once you get in touch with the wholesalers in light products you deal in. You can sell many more products than you could if you had to buy and store them.

Technorati Tags: christian book, christian book warehouse, discount christian book

“Just because you have a computer, doesn’t make you a writer,” said a publishing executive at a recent Book Expo of America.

Fact is 81% of all Americans think they should write a book (according to Write & Publish magazine) and only two percent of that crowd ever actually complete a manuscript - and get it published.

True computers have made writing a book easier and print-on-demand (POD) has made publishing a snap. Problem is there are about 150,000 new books a year and they’re not all selling!

So here are some simple things to do to move you from book idea, manuscript to real sales!

Learn about writing. Taking writing courses. You can go to American Christian Writers website and get info on their American School of Christian Writing, The Writer’s Institute and/or Writer’s Mini Course. Also subscribe to their newsletter (The Christian Communicator or The Advanced Christian Writer). Take time to go to various writers’ conferences where you’ll meet editors, publishers and other authors. You may even find a mentor at some of these events.

Getting a writing mentor is so critical to your success - if you listen and heed their advice! There are tons of book coaches. Google book coach.

Finally, read! Best-selling Christian fiction author, Victoria Christopher Murray, said on a recent Chocolate Pages Show, “In order to be a good writer, you have to read good writing.” I am so surprised when I talk to many Christian writers and I ask if they have read any of the “best-sellers” - as least the Christian or spiritual books. They answer, “NO.”

Some have never even read “The Purpose Driven Life” (the best selling book of all time), The Shack (a Christian publishing phenomenon in the book world) or The Secret (at least take cues how they have marketed the mega-star of a book). Most Christian authors don’t even take note of any of the top 10 New York Times or CBA best-sellers.

Ughh! You have to know what the market is buying and read it to see why the book is highly acclaimed. By doing a little homework, you can improve your writing. You have to move it from a hobby to a craft if you want a viable book.

Books Every Writer Needs at Their Fingertips!

- On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Knowlton Zinsser

Best book I’ve read on what, specifically, makes up a great piece of writing

- The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr., E. B. White

Also subscribe to Writer’s Digest. Invaluable information every month!

Learn about self-publishing and how the book industry works. I have had writers come to me and tell me their “publishing nightmare” stories. They talk about how printers or subsidy publishers took advantage of them.

Yes, there are companies who will swindle you. But, if you are well-informed, it will lessen the chances of someone ripping you off. Don’t rely on one source for all your information. Use Google and do some research! You must do your due diligence.

Know where to get an ISBN, how to get national distribution, where to find a cover designer, typesetter, printer, etc. Ask other self-published authors what they’ve done and how it has worked for them. Follow the leaders. Do what they did to achieve success.

Study what Kendra Norman Bellamy, Stephanie Perry Moore, Marilynn Griffith or Kim Brooks have done. Most authors have their “publishing testimonial” on their website or offer publishing tips to new authors. Read their advice - you can learn from mistakes or from mentors. Mentors are cheaper.

Learn about marketing and publicity. Build a platform. No book will sell without telling others about it - over and over again. Not just once. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising. Creating “buzz” requires a strategy and a strong platform. (See this Podcast show)

Once the book is published a lot of authors believe it will sell by itself. Many Christians sway the other way and are too humble to tell anyone about their book. They believe if they put it up on Amazon or tell a few of their “yes buddies” it will take off. NOT! Just like any product that is sold for cold cash, it must be marketed and promoted in order to sell. It takes money to make money.

Learn about agents. Agents are not your “literary fairy God-mothers.” They are in business to make money. And they make money by selling “marketable” writers to publishing houses. Besides having a great book, decent platform, an audience - you must also have a good book proposal. The proposal is what sells your book. Part of that proposal is the marketing plan. Again, it’s about the bottom line.

It took former Heart & Soul editor Stephanie Stokes Oliver 25 years to have her first book published. And she had a platform and was a professional writer. She had to find the right publishing house. She says she went through 10 agents and eventually got the divine connection and got three book deals.

Learn about Web 2.0, podcasting, blogging, social networking. Did you know you can blog on Amazon.com if you’re an author? You can even put up video reviews. How cool is that? You must embrace technology and keep up with what is moving books. Obviously the best way to move books is to get people talking - and the more they hear your passion and get curious about all the “buzz” they keep hearing from you online - the more you will attract customers.

So, “get out there” by joining Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter. Do a Blogtalk Radio Show and get a Youtube channel. Post up your blogs in RSS feeds and even do some daring stuff like join a lot of “nings” or start one! Join the Chocolate Pages Network (a new social network for Christian Authors). There is so many ways for an author to get exposure online - hey, it may even up on Oprah as part of her “Book Club.”

Author: Pam Perry

I Dream Of Writing For God: Spreading the Good News of Jesus

You see, I may not have openly shared, but I used to have Christian sayings on my desk. I would place them there as a reminder to me, how I should act and treat others throughout the day.

Five Things Christian Writers Should Know

“Just because you have a computer, doesn’t make you a writer,” said a publishing executive at a recent Book Expo of America. Fact is, 81% of all Americans think they should write a book (according to Write & Publish magazine) and only.”

I Dream Of Writing For God: An Appeal to The Believers

And Safety (Ps 125:1; Pr 29:25; Pr 30:5). Membership in any organization, race, or denomination does not make you a Believer. Only when you accept the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ do you become a Believer.

Technorati Tags: christian authors, christian publishers, christian writers

The ultimate Christian book is the Bible. Next to it are the books published specifically as supplements of Christian theology. Individual Christian books that allow both the authors and the readers to explore the realms of Christianity. To interpret philosophical questions and virtually all other things that concern the knowledge on Christian theology.

What there is to it for becoming Christians is usually the most common topic in the majority of Christian books along with all the fields of studies that Christianity and Christian doctrines cover.

Well-written Christian books, poems, articles, and selections have tremendous effects on one’s personality and may lead to great changes in a person’s points of view. These are powerful instruments for spiritual growth for the person reading them.

Christianity is primarily defined as belief on a Supreme Being, specifically Jesus Christ as humanity’s savior. Christians on the other hand, are people who have personal relationship with God. This same relationship has become the greater focus in producing Christian writings.

These books are the materialized responses of man to his Living God. As it is, the greatest and the majority of in-print materials with regards to Christianity are often encircling on the topic about his relationship with the Creator. God is the Supreme Writer of history and the little gods (or the Christians) are the writers of their personal stories with God as the central character.

One reputed source of inspirations that led authors to write their Christian readings, is the Bible. From here did the foundations of theology came from, supported by the scriptures that have been discovered over the centuries, and from here too did the geniuses of Christian readings received and based their best sellers.

This is no miracle since the Bible had been circulating the world since Christianity begun. And copies of it has reached even the remotest areas of the world and the most neglected sections of the societies.

For those who love and have some background on Christian readings, they may identify such books because they often include the following:

- citations and doctrines
- beliefs and dogmas
- Christian manifestos
- fundamentals of Christianity
- true to life stories
- inspirational anecdotes
- meditations and reflections
- aid to prayers
- building personal relationships with God
- Christian theology and prophecies
- articles and news as they relate to predictions
- personal growth and recovery
- personal health
- social issues
- prayers and meditations
- lifestyle management
- wisdom on life
- selections on ministry, discipleship, evangelism, fellowship and worship
- biographies
- fictions, children books and the likes
- guidelines for Christian living and a variety of other things.

Christian books were written out of extraordinary and not so extraordinary encounters. You may find some of them non-pleasing because many reveal philosophies that are against to your personal perspectives. However, this does not negate the fact the larger portion of these reading touches the heart. Most are known to have created deep and great changes among their readers. Not only can people relate with the author’s ideas, we are also lead to recreate in us broader sense of religion and enlightenment. These are by and large mind openers. They expose us to what should be believed in and trusted upon.

We are moved by what we read. Why? Because these are tales of personal experiences with the Being we call GOD.

By: Robert Thatcher

Christy’s Book Blog: Nine Ways God Always Speaks

If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured.

A Peek At My Bookshelf: FIRST Presents

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books.

Who Really Controls The Success of a Title?

The way our industry works is that advance copies and finished copies of new books are sent to reviewers and hosts of Christian TV shows. The promotion and publicity machine is designed so that media.

Technorati Tags: bible, books, Christian Bookstore Discount