Head-dibs

The Zwemer Center For Muslim Studies at Columbia International University offers courses to help you understand Islam and Muslims for field worker candidates, workers on home leave, professional tentmakers in an Islamic country, pastors serving where there is a growing number of Muslims, and students sensing God's call to work among Muslim people groups. Scholarships are available. Current course offerings for Summer 2008 (credit/seminar): ICS/MIS 5020 Islam through Christian and Muslim Eyes, June 23-27; ICS/MIS 6072 Responding to Muslim Concerns, June 30-July 4; ICS/MIS 6013 The Spirit World of Islam, July 7-11; ICS/MIS 6071 Approaches to Muslims, July 14-18; ICS/MIS 6037 The Sacred Sources of Islam, July 21-25; Courses through Distance Learning (can be taken "any time" from home): ICS/MIS 5020 Islam through Christian and Muslim Eyes; ICS/MIS 6051 Understanding Muslim Women.

“If the gospel be not preached, Jesus Christ is, as it were, buried. Therefore, let us stand as witnesses, and do Him this honor, when we see all the world so far out of the way; and remain steadfast in this wholesome doctrine. . . . Let us not deceive Jesus Christ in the testimony we owe Him, by stopping our mouths, when it is needful to maintain His honor, and the authority of His gospel. Yea, and when we see our brethren afflicted for the cause of God, let us join with them, and assist them in their affliction. Let us not be shaken by the tempests that arise, but let us always remain constant in our purpose; and stand as witnesses for the Son of God, seeing He is so gracious as to use us in such a good cause. Let us mark well, whether men suffer for their sins, or for the truth of God . . . . Every man will confess this: but they add, we are weak, and shall quickly be beaten down by the cruelty of our enemies. But St. Paul taketh away this excuse, by saying, God will strengthen us, ...

On a recent shopping trip, as I was leaving the register area, the cashier said, "Have a blessed day!" I took it as one of those secret sayings just among us Christians. Whether or not that was her intention, I don't know, but the incident got me thinking about how we greet people and what do we say when they leave our presence. Consider the 20th Psalm where David writes a number of blessings that he give to other people. " May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble !" (20:1) (Help that is perfectly timed) " May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high !" (20:2) (Help that is perfectly secure) " May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill your counsel !" (20:4) (Help that is complete) " May the LORD fulfill all your petitions " (20:5) (Help that is comprehensive) " May the King answer us in the day we call " (20:9) (Help that is prompt) (From my friend, Dr. John Williamson, at First Baptist Church ...

A devoted Christian business man was struck by an automobile and rushed to a hospital. He was informed by the doctors that he had only about two hours to live. He had implicit faith in the goodness of God and in His Word, so to him death was only a gateway leading to the glory of heaven and the presence of God. He had his family called to his side, and thus addressed them: "Goodnight, my dear Wife. You have been the greatest woman in the world to me. Through sunshine and shadow we have walked together. You have been my inspiration in everything I have undertaken, especially in my walk as a Christian. Many times I have seen the Spirit of God shining in your face. I love you far more than on the day you became my bride. Goodnight, dear; I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight." "Goodnight, Mary. Mary, you are our firstborn. What a joy you have been to me! How glad I am that in face and spirit you have always reminded me of your mother. I see in you the sweet, beautiful,...

Ben Stein has given us a must-see documentary. What will you lose to see it? What will it cost to think? Click on the Banner for the site.

Isaiah 6:3 ; Revelation 1:8 ; Isaiah 43:25 ; 1 John 3:18-22 ; James 4:13-16 ; Micah 4:2 The Lord our God is enthroned on High, and we live in His world unstunned by His glory. The angels in God’s presence don’t dare to look or be uncovered in His sight; yet they dare not look at anything but Him nor do anything that is not pleasing to Him. They dare not say anything beyond calling out who He is. They are not merely overcome with astonishment, but are mobilized by the fear of who He is. Men live, move and have their being without guilt or shame, uncovered with high-handed sin in His sight. There is no fear of God before our eyes. If we did fear Him, He would receive much higher praise, louder and longer praise by all we say and do. “ Einstein had so little use for organized religion, although he strikes me as a basically very religious man. He must have looked at what the preachers said about God and felt that they were blaspheming. He had seen much more majesty than they had every imag...

Starting March 31 at 10:00 p.m., FamilyNet is going “ Wretched .” He’s freakishly tall, he’s funny. He can even tell you who Herman is . . .

“The message of salvation can be presented through means of the printed page. It never flinches, it never grows tired, never grows disheartened; it works while we sleep; it travels cheaply and requires no rented building; it never loses its temper; and it works long after we are dead. The printed page is a visitor which gets inside the home and stays there; it always catches a man in the right mood, for it speaks to him only when he is reading it; it always sticks to what it has said, and never answers back. The printed page is deathless: you can destroy one, but the press can reproduce millions. As often as it is martyred it is raised. It can enter doors locked to the evangelist; it preaches in the factory, the train, the kitchen; it visits the school and the jail; it whispers in the ear of the dying. The printed message can reach those whose religions forbid them to go to church. It can reach the student who, proud of his intellectualism, refuses to listen to the Gospel or relate him...

Dr. William "Bill" Larkin , professor of Greek and New Testament in the Seminary and School of Missions at Columbia International University , teaches a class at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia (MP3s and some outlines). 1) Here is an extensive list of audio lessons taught by Dr. Larkin. 2) Spring 2008 - The Doctrine of Scripture (new lessons added as they are recorded). He really wants to you listen.

I'd love to, but... 1 I have to floss my cat. 2 I've dedicated my life to linguini. 3 I want to spend more time with my blender. 4 The President said he might drop in. 5 The man on television told me to say tuned. 6 I've been scheduled for an eyelash transplant. 7 I'm staying home to work on my cottage cheese sculpture. 8 It's my parakeet's bowling night. 9 It wouldn't be fair to the other Beautiful People. 10 I'm building a pig from a kit. (Thanks, Pastor Tim )

He rose! And with him hope arose, and life and light. Men said, "Not Christ but Death died yesternight." And joy and truth and all things virtuous Rose when He rose. --Anonymous

1 Cor. 2:2 Alltel has no control over, and is not responsible for, the content or use of this picture or the accompanying personal message.

He died! And with Him perished all that men hold dear; Hope lay beside Him in the sepulcher, Love grew corse [sic] cold, and all things beautiful beside Died when He died . . . .

Jury Duty seems to liven life up a bit for law-abiding citizens. This is a "must read" from Ray Comfort's blog: "I was called to jury duty in Compton, California, the city that has been called "the murder capital of America." As I sat with 44 other people in the jury selection process, the judge asked the prospective jurors in the jury box if they would give as much credence to the testimony of a gang member as they would to the testimony of an officer of the law. I looked across at the two gang members who were on trial for the murder of an Hispanic “human being,” as the judge had put it. They looked nice enough, in their plush suits and ties. I imagined them in their baggies, with their long socks and hats to the side, holding their guns the way gangs do. The judge also asked the prospective jurors if they would be prejudice against anyone who pleaded the Fifth Amendment, and didn’t testify on their own behalf. The next day I was called to the jury box. ...

Gall is the taste of life when we Who live must bear our Calvary. On this day our Master died-- Christ, our Lord, the Crucified. Upon the cross in agony He shed his blood for love of me. In every street, on every hill, The Heart that stopped is beating still. --Vincent Holm