the Bible Style Guide

Excellent resource, in pdf format about the Bible's history, composition, components, and translations. Good for believers and seekers.

The Bible Style Guide

studying the book of Revelation

I've been studying Revelation for about a month now, and today I'm to the point in the book where there is nothing but hope for those who believe, and everyone rejoices in the New Earth. Exciting stuff, and a good reminder that as the Bride left on her wedding night, the Church is supposed to long for her husband.

I started reading the book with some definite goals, none of which have been completed, but I have learned a whole lot, and have realized yet again that pre/am/post thinking will really get you nowhere.

Anyway, wanted to link everyone with this wonderful batch of sermons on the book, all in .pdf format, and easy to read and understand. Also good on holding Scripture against Scripture, and to getting to the main point of the matter: glorifying God.

politcking.

As most of you know, I skim--er, read and meditate on, way too many blogs.

Since both conventions are over and November is quickly approaching, I've been trying to keep up with some politics, even though from my home hundreds of thousands of miles away from the States, I can feel the repercussions of these campaigns in the media at large. I'm already tired of hearing about Palin, McCain, and Obama. I don't care about their social lives or the things you can find that will help produce scandal. I live in a country where they have to report the wealth of their candidates, just so the citizens will know those candidates will not be persuaded into corruption later in office. Really, with all the politicians--whether they are a mom or a POW who can't type e-mails or an inexperienced soothsayer or Joe Biden, America will be alright.

America. Will. Be. Alright.

But, despite my overarching belief that America is going to pull through regardless, I have been trying to keep up with several political blogs/sites that help to inform, of course mostly with a conservative bent, and I figured I'd share those.

1. PolitiFact - checks their lies
2. RealClearPolitics - pretty unbiased
3. Instapundit - conservative, but one of the more unbiased, defends SP too much for my liking
4. Townhall - very biased, but intelligent
5. The Campaign Spot - conservative and biased

The Bible and the Qur'an

Chances are, if everything you have learned about Islam has come from television, then you might not know much. But, even if you are aware of the basic tenants of the faith, maybe you don't know too much about the Qur'an. Something neat about the book is that when Muhammad wrote the book he included several stories that are based on stories from the Bible.

There are some stories that appear a little different in the Qur'an--most, in fact--but the comparisons are enough for some of my Muslim friends to want to explore the Biblical accounts as well (which the Qur'an teaches has been corrupted and isn't reliable). Anyway, what are those stories and teachings, you ask?

Well, a wonderful (liberal) organization put out a search engine that will search both the Bible and the Qur'an based on keyword. There is also a list of the common ideas/stories. Highly recommended to read, even if you're just curious but lazy too.

I also found a good resource for Ramadan, in case you're wondering...
"An Idiot's Guide to Ramadhan"

over the hump - 28/08/2008

It's Thursday...

Life:
It's Thursday and I'm sitting in Chiangi International Airport. My plane has a delay, so I'm trying to take advantage of Singapore's hospitality, which includes free, fast, wifi, among other things. As stated in the last post, my life is one of those things where no matter how hard I try, I can't do it gracefully, and usually the outcome is confusion and more problems. One of my more fleshly problems is pride, and I think this is just God trying to show me that I really am pitiful and there is nothing to take pride in, even in the eyes of the world. Six years ago he showed me that with salvation--I cannot boast that I believed in the name of the Lord, as He is the one who called me. Now he's breaking me down in every other way.

Anyway, the good news is I just obtained my new visa; I'm over the hump that has taken almost seven months to ascend.

Links:
Perlious Plunge at Holiday World - needless to say, I'm pretty excited, and am already thinking about Summer 2010.
7 Tough Questions to Ask Your Friends - I need this to be asked of me (hint, hint), and I need to ask others
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller - just bought it five minutes ago at a really high airport/Singapore price, but plan on reading it this week


Nobody's Got It All Together - Jill Phillips

Working hard to tie up the loose ends
So hard to decide who you let in
Put your best foot forward with a grin

I can see the fear behind your eyes
Wondering if someone will recognize
You’ve grown tired of keeping up the lies

Don’t whitewash the truth about yourself ‘cause
Nobody’s got it all together
If you want to be like everyone else well
Nobody’s got it all together

I have seen the darkness of my heart
And found a love that taught me its too hard
To walk through life and not let down my guard

What good is it to say please savior come
If there is nothing you need rescue from
Life is something no one has a corner on

Don’t whitewash the truth about yourself ‘cause
Nobody’s got it all together
If you want to be like everyone else well
Nobody’s got it all together

When the parts that are self righteous
Start to disappear
Every other life is
Just another mirror
And life is way too short to run and hide

Don’t whitewash the truth about yourself ‘cause
Nobody’s got it all together
If you want to be like everyone else well
Nobody’s got it all together