I remember at school learning that the world’s population was around 3,6 billion–that was in the 1970s. Things have changed quite a lot since then, but it is likely that some of the poverty and other demographic ratios shown in the video are relatively unchanged.
View the video below (I came across it on Facebook) for an interesting schematic sense of how those ratios would look if there were just 100 people living on earth.
I think physical fitness is a great idea! Being holy and taking a holistic view on life are not mutually exclusive concepts.
Ever since Sue began a keep-fit program several years ago, it has inspired me to do the best I can with my own health. A workplace injury sustained in my former employment prevents me from doing anything too strenuous for the time being, but I do the best I can. Sue does better, exercising usually each week.
A few years ago, I first made the acquaintance of John Lehman. John is family and counseling pastor at a local church, Hampton Park Baptist Church, and he has written three books, two of which I have helped him publish, and the third is on the point of going to press.
The third book, titled Fit for the Master–Glorifying God in a Healthy Body, captured my imagination the moment John first told me about it. “This could be the book that people most pay attention to,” I told him. “I really believe you are on to something with this particular writing project.”
John has defined the purpose of the book in these words: “This book is intended to encourage everyone to be fit for the Master’s use. God created us, and therefore we should be as functional as possible, so bringing Him glory while being able to lead more efficient and effective lives.”
The editing and production process has been both interesting and enjoyable, not to mention stimulating! We’ve worked hard to sharpen it, and it covers a lot of really important points. Consider, for example, the chapter divisions below:
Glorious Creator; Wonderful Creation
(Thinking about your place in God’s universe)Health, and a Healthy Self-Image
(Enjoying being the “you” that God intends you to be)You Don’t Have to Over-Strain!
(Understanding the place of exercise)Exercise Guidelines
(Developing a practical strategy that suits you)Food for Thought
(Getting your nutrition the way it should be)Digest This!
(Considering what happens to your food after you have swallowed it)Rest, Relaxation and Sleep
(Improving your efficiencies through wise sleep strategies)Blessed Are the Balanced
(Maintaining body-soul equilibrium)Go On . . . Just Do it!
(Putting the principles into practice)
Extensively illustrated with numerous well-drawn diagrams (see some samples at the head of this page), the book packs a lot of information very concisely into 144 pages, and is being produced as a handy-sized hardback. You can read much more about it by clicking or tapping so get to John’s site HERE, and also view a one-minute video below. And you can also read some typeset pages on this site HERE.
My service of editing and helping people develop an online presence introduces me to some delightful people. In serving them, it is my privilege to have made new friends over the years, so I thought it would be good from time to time to point the camera, as it were, on some of them, and the excellent ministries that they themselves conduct.
Glenda HottonIn this post, I would like to introduce Glenda. I first became aware of her when my good friend, Dr. Paul Tautges, began recruiting authors for a series of booklets he and I were spearheading, Day One’s Living in a Fallen World resources, now available as the Lifeline Mini-Books from Shepherd Press.
Glenda’s little book, then titled Help! I Can’t Submit to My Husband, posed some challenges when it came to finding an appropriate cover image. We wanted something that communicated “Hey! You must read this” but the matter of perceived relevance played an arpeggio in the orchestra of our thinking. We even considered a 1940s monochromatic image with a humorous visual hint of “Surely this kind of idea is old fashioned and you can’t be serious to bring this into Christian teaching today!”
Well, we persevered, and eventually found an image that worked–and it wasn’t the monochrome one! And if you would like to see what the Shepherd Press version is going to look like, take a look here for a preview!
Times change, and with the end of my former employers’ presence in the USA, a new strategy was developed; hence the Shepherd Press initiative. In this, I came to have more direct dealings with Glenda, especially when she commissioned me to take charge of some developments in her online strategy. The outcome? Find out here by visiting her site!
Glenda is a delightful lady who cherishes and makes the most of every opportunity to inculcate a spirit of practical godliness on the part of the women whom she mentors. A member of Grace Community Church, Sun Valley (John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher there), she teaches regularly at the Master’s College.
The term help meet sounds a little old fashioned to some people, but it articulates a wonderful truth from creation, how it was that the first woman, Eve, was to be a helper suitable to and corresponding to her husband, Adam. Glenda loves to tease out the practical implications of this in her writing and speaking ministry, and her blog is replete with thoughts, biblical principles, and lines of application to her readers. If you are a woman seeking guidance on how to grow on grace and godliness in the area of womanliness and in the service of marriage and motherhood, Glenda has so much to offer.
Inculcating a spirit of grace in others comes so easily and naturally to Glenda, as she models it herself. Having seen so much of her material in working with her in building her website, I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed in reading her writings and considering her points of application. You will find her an excellent mentor!
Glenda offers various downloads, some for free, others for a small payment. You might like to check out her free audio message here. And there is also a downloadable PDF study guide to go with it here.
Whether you are the mother of a young daughter (and would like to help her to grow into a gracious young woman who understands social etiquette), whether you are a young bride, or whether you are a seasoned mom and grandmother, you will find helpful ideas and principles on Glenda’s site to guide, challenge and inspire you! And, if you respond to any of her posts, I know she will be delighted to engage with you.
Anger is a difficult sin. Like an ice-breaker pushing huge chunks of ice in all directions, anger leaves a trail of broken pieces in its wake. Broken chunks of ice are good thing. Broken pieces of life – not so much.
Anger is often a response to injustice. With God this is good. His motives and reasons for anger are always pure and right. Your child’s anger is also often a response to injustice. But his motives and reasons are seldom pure and right.
A young child thinks he has been wronged because someone else has his toy. A middle-schooler is angry because others are not kind to her. A teenager struggles with anger because of guilt as a result of being entangled in the web of pornography. Children of any age can experience anger when they believe their parents do not understand them.
Paul, in Ephesians 4: 26-27, has important things to teach about anger.
First, anger is a part of life. Because your children live in a fallen world, there will always be things to be angry about. Sinful anger results when God is separated from personal anger. There must be a deep confidence that God sees all that is wrong. He has promised he will make all things right in his time (Romans 12:17-21 & 8:28)
Second, human anger must be quickly resolved. Paul says do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ignoring anger leads to more anger. If your child, middle-schooler or teenager is angry, don’t settle for a quick solution. Do whatever it takes to get to the underlying problem.
Whatever it takes!
Modern life steals time from families. There are appointments, schedules, school, church and the many other things that demand to be done. Time is essential to address anger.
Unresolved anger provides a foothold for the enemy. Anger is like cancer, it doesn’t stop growing unless it is removed. If you only clean up the broken pieces of life caused by anger, the root problem remains.
Please hear me! Anger covered over and not resolved will grow into an ugly, tragic mess. Failing to take time now can result in losing years to the aftermath of anger later on.
Listen well. Listen for attitudes as well as words. Listen for hurt, disappointment, indifference and despair. Listen for a troubled heart.
Speak with words that address your children’s heart and not only their actions. Use pleasant words, avoid harsh, sharp responses. Know your children well enough to say words that will truly build them up.
Remember that you have to be a refuge before you can be a resource. Pray eagerly for God’s help! These things take time. There is no substitute!
Live in humility before God and your children. Don’t be dominated by anger in your heart. Take the time needed to address anger.
This post is from Shepherd Press, July 18th, 2015 and may be accessed here. Featured image from www.publicdomainpictures.net. "Like an ice-breaker pushing huge chunks of ice in all directions, anger leaves a trail of broken pieces in its wake."
Each title in the Shepherd Press imprint, Lifeline Mini-Books, begins with the word “Help!” And helpful is exactly what this series is intended to be.
In an earlier post, December 2014, I mentioned the release of some more titles. Subsequent to that, four more new ones have been published. Their details are linked below:
Help! My Anger Is Out of Control
As I have previously expressed, the Lifeline Mini-Books are packed with biblical content, written with feeling and concern for readers in the issues covered (all the authors are in the trenches of ministry themselves–here is no ivory tower, distant academic theorizing!), written with personal application projects to help readers engage practically with the issues concerned, and, especially important, written with a call to turn from sin and trust the Savior. All this in just 10,000 words (that’s 64 pages of small-format reading) makes for an excellent resource to use and give away.
Consider this series of excellent resources in your ministry, your church, for your friends and family, and for your own use!
You may view a two-minute promotional of video of Tedd Tripp from the Lifeline Mini-Book website here, or click on the screen image below.
Here is a man who has known the presence and power of God in remarkable ways, now surrounded by his enemies in the shadows of the inner room as he lies asleep on the lap of Delilah. In analogous spiritual terms, this scene is being reenacted by people today–people once living zealously, fervently in holiness, useful in Christian service. How things have changed.
Consider this sermon, powerfully preached and applied, by Pastor Colin Mercer, minister of Faith Free Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC, in which he traces three primary lines of thought:
(1) The pathway that led to it: how this situation came about
(2) The tragedy that accompanies it
(3) The recovery that is possible
“I’m really glad Dad spoke to me about that; I really needed his help.”
“Mom, thanks for caring enough to keep me out of trouble.”
The purpose of biblical authority is encourage and build up (2 Corinthians 13:10). But sometimes our children are last ones to recognize this. Here are three principles to help make the exercise your authority a blessing to your children.
Commit yourself to be a skilled, aggressive listener. Your goal is to be able to repeat the words you hear back to your children in such a way that they can affirm that you really do understand them. You don’t always have to agree, but you must always understand. This attentiveness shows respect for your children and honor for your Lord. It also indicates that you view your authority as an opportunity to be a servant. Answering quickly, without fully understanding the intentions of your children shows a lack of love and respect. Proverbs 18:13 and Ephesians 4:29 teach that you must listen well in order to speak things that will benefit your children.
“Wow, mom, I had no idea you really understood me.”
Harsh, frustrated tones and sarcastic answers do not build relationships.
Your goal is to make God’s wisdom attractive. Sharp language indicates that you are pushing your own agenda rather than God’s. Pleasant language, even when firm, is needed for growth. Irritation often reveals self-righteousness. A soft, understanding answer spoken with pleasant words will help avert upsets and promote instruction that will actually bless your children (Proverbs 15:1 & 16:21)
Anger is not the tool of a builder. Anger shouts that you, the parent, have been offended. Rather, the focus must be on God. The problems and struggles your children are having have more to do with God than with you. Your goal is to use your authority to point your children to Christ. Your anger does not make God important, it places the emphasis on you. Don’t excuse your anger because you think your children deserve it. Anger will drive those close to you far from you (See James 1:19&20).
“It really means a lot that you were not angry even though I messed up.”
These three principles will help make your authority a blessing that your children will love and depend upon.
**This post is reproduced from the Shepherd Press Blog. Shepherd Press produces a fine range of biblically based resources, including two books that should be in every home, Shepherding a Child’s Heart, and Instructing a Child’s Heart.
I am not going into details at present, but anticipate being able to update you with an interesting development in the next few weeks. For the time being, consider this as being classified information that I’ll let out of the box below when I am ready.
As the saying goes, watch this (Blog)Spot!
That’s the feeling that many people experience. Not a literal drowning, but something very similar… it may be pressing financial concerns, the icy hand of a serious illness recently diagnosed, a wayward child who seemingly won’t respond to all your loving discipline, or the dark thoughts of suicide invading a friend’s life.
Some years ago–it was towards the end of 2009–I was working on some strategic ideas with the publishing company I served at the time. It would be a good idea, I thought, to generate some small-sized books which dealt with the kinds of issues people are facing today. Itches that need to be scratched, or, to put it another way, issues that people are facing on a day-to-day basis where they feel the need for sound counsel from the Bible. The outcome of this was the commencement of several booklets published under the series name, Living in a Fallen World, and under the consulting editorship of my good friend, Dr. Paul Tautges. Paul’s burden and my concern met precisely at this point. Paul’s book, Counsel One Another had also recently been published.
Through various events and circumstances, while over twenty of these resources saw the light of day in 2010 and 2011, the original publisher released them to be taken over by a US-based publisher. The outcome was a rebranding of the series, this time called the Lifeline Mini-books, an imprint of Shepherd Press. (Shepherd Press is known for its enormously helpful range of resources under the classification of Shepherding a Child’s Heart, the best-selling book by Dr. Tedd Tripp.)
Earlier in 2014, Shepherd Press released eight titles in the new series, thus: Help! He is Struggling with Pornography; Help! I have Breast Cancer; Help! I Want to Change; Help! My Spouse has been Unfaithful; Help! My Teen Struggles with Same-Sex Attractions; Help! My Toddler Rules the House; Help! Someone I Love has been Abused; Help! Someone I Love has Cancer.
Hot off the press this week are the next four titles, pictured above, and hyperlinked below:
There are many more of these excellent mini-books in preparation and I plan to say more about them in due course. The main point to make at present is that these are immensely helpful! Packed with biblical content, written with feeling and concern for readers in the issues covered (all the authors are in the trenches of ministry themselves–here is no ivory tower, distant academic theorizing!), written with personal application projects to help readers engage practically with the issues concerned, and, especially important, written with a call to turn from sin and trust the Savior. All this in just 10,000 words (that’s 64 pages of small-format reading) makes for an excellent resource to use and give away.
Consider this series of excellent resources in your ministry, your church, for your friends and family, and for your own use!
I shared these sentiments with a close veteran friend via email earlier today:
I deeply appreciate and esteem you. This being Vets Day made me think of people like you, and the debt that I (and others) owe you for your faithfulness in rendering military service, your involvement in the hot spots and other far-flung regions, whether in the direct defense of our interests as a nation, or in the maintenance of a military presence rendering good will to other countries.
The phrase, “The land of the free, because of the brave” comes to mind. I like to remind my eleven-year-old son of this.
My dad served in the army in Kenya and the regions of southern Africa, as well as a little more to the north of Kenya during WW2. He never saw active service (as in fighting), but I believe his involvement helped bring stability to the regions and perhaps kept potential German and Italian aggression at bay. And I am sure that our US presence in the regions where there is no direct conflict also represents a force to maintain peace, as well as being a more remote strategy in the defense of our local borders.
I treasure our Judeo-Christian heritage and the freedoms that we enjoy because of it. It must be defended! And so I like to think of the military and its role in parallel terms of application with the injunction of Paul to Timothy in 1 Tim. 2:1-2: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
www.blogspot52.com, November 11th, 2014
If you agree with these sentiments, and you have a friend or family member in the military, hit the share button!
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