Restoration Unity Syndication http://www.restorationunity.com Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:46:30 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=236&Itemid=28 A few articles which challenged and enlightened me. The ChristianCourier.com has a compelling argument for multiple components to effect (respond to God's love) salvation. "Logic and the Plan of Salvation (http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1520-logic-and-the-plan-of-salvation)" is a short proof, but persuasive to a reasonable listener. Also, Wayne Jackson of the same blog writes of, "The Doctrine of 'Determinism' -- What is it? (http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1515-the-doctrine-of-determinism-what-is-it)" A good read to answer questions about freewill and God's sovereignty. The Christian Standard has several articles worth reading, particularly if you lead a ministry or a church. They Trust Me, They Trust Me Not (http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1583) The Tyranny of the Paradigm (Part 1) NACC ‘Beyond’: Beyond the Misguided Spiritual Disciplines http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=235&Itemid=29 Baptismal Cognizance is the question of what knowledge and understanding is required for an immersion to be effective on the salvation process. An assumption of the linked paper is one accepts that the bible teaches baptism is part of an effective salvation process. The paper is here (http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B58r2dJs9-cgNWE5MmEyMWYtYzhjZi00OGQzLThiMzgtMzk4MTlkOGMyMTE3&hl=en). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=29 Please click here (http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B58r2dJs9-cgNjE3NDgxZWQtN2UzNi00NmNlLTk4NDktODQ2NzE3YTVkZDg1&hl=en) to read the Sunday School notes for Joshua. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=233&Itemid=29 Some notes from my adult Sunday school class. The are mainly for me to use as a guide, but you may find them useful in studying the bible. I highly recommend Robert Alter's, "The Five Books of Moses" for studying the Pentateuch. The notes are here. (http://www.restorationunity.com/images/stories/PDF/deuteronomy.pdf) http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=232&Itemid=29 Wayne Jackson, author of the Christian Courier, has penned (typed) another great Bible study, Apostasy – A Clear and Ever-Present Danger (http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1505-apostasy-a-clear-and-ever-present-danger) Mr. Jackson poignantly addresses the attack vectors, targets and solutions to apostasy. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=231&Itemid=29 Romans Introduction Romans is an intriguing book to me. It has a great deal to say about the mechanics of grace, expiation and propitiation as well as salvation doctrine. Unity between Jews and Gentiles within the congregation is a major theme and is the basis for the Paul's proof and argument. A sub-topic of interest is the traditional Protestant approach to interpreting this Pauline tome versus a proper exegesis and hermeneutic. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=230&Itemid=29 Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” One of the interesting arguments (excuses) I hear from those who do not study the Old Testament is, “The God of the Old Testament is mean, wrathful and harsh. But Jesus is full of love.” A closer examination of God reveals He is the same; He is unchanged from era to era. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=229&Itemid=29 Romans 10:17 – Consequently faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Many issues in one's life can boil down to a lack of faith. Issues in relationships, marriage, overcoming sin, zeal, compassion, evangelism, etc... are faith driven activities and characteristics. We want our relationships to be strong, our marriages enjoyable and radiant, our sin eliminated and our evangelism effective. However, what are the typical routes we take to accomplish these goals? Work harder, get input from other Christians, counseling, guilt or feel bad about not accomplishing what we set out to do. We are not attacking the root of the problem; faith. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=228&Itemid=29 John 14:6-7 Jesus answered [Thomas], “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. “I am” – Exodus 13:14 God said to Moses, I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.’” Jesus does not shy away from his identity. He does not state that he teaches the truth or can show the way or help one live a better life. Jesus’ being is life, truth and the way. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=227&Itemid=29 One of the greatest errors I have found in myself and others in our relationship with God is not understanding or acknowledging all His characteristics and attributes. Job 42:8 reads, My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Misrepresenting God and focusing on certain attributes while ignoring others is dangerous. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=226&Itemid=28 The International Leadership Conference audio i s posted for the classes. Click here (http://www.icocconference.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=3&id=8&Itemid=36) for to listen. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=225&Itemid=28 Alan Rouse (http://christianunityblog.net/2009/08/three-new-topics.html) writes of a new cooperation proposal for ICOC churches. Although the document (http://www.icocco-op.org/content/view/85/1/)points to its lengthier predecessor (see footnote 7), it allows for more latitude at the local level and more of a nod to biblical authority providing the final result in any matter. You can read my initial thoughts before the ICOC unity proposal came to fruition here (../../../content/view/27/30/). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=224&Itemid=29 As Jesus taught during the Sermon on the Mount he touched on many subjects – hatred, lust, prayer, fasting, etc... However, Jesus did not fail to address a two key elements which retard faith – love of money and worry. In Matthew 6 (19-34), Jesus connects these two sins. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=223&Itemid=29 Over the past several months I have taught the book of Exodus in an adult Sunday School class. We recently finished. My understanding of God, the connection(s) between the Old and New Testaments and the importance of studying the Old Testament were transformed by studying Exodus in depth. The notes are (../../../pdf/Exodus.pdf) here in PDF format. We are now studying Leviticus. If you would like to join us and are in Florida, stop by. 9:15 am, at 9191 Orange Drive, Davie (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=9191+Orange+Dr.+Davie,+FL&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=46.226656,78.925781&safe=vss&ie=UTF8&ll=26.085309,-80.248089&spn=0.051495,0.077076&z=14&iwloc=A) (near Fort Lauderdale.) Call ahead to make sure Sunday School is happening that Sunday at 954-767-0880. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=222&Itemid=29 Wayne Jackson of the Christian Courier has another insightful dissection of scripture to refute Calvinism. This time he uses the book of 2 Peter and wields the word adeptly to dispel the doctrine of perseverance of the saints , more commonly - once saved, always saved . The article is here (http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1487-false-teachers-destructive-heresies-2-peter-2-1). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=221&Itemid=29 Moses and Aaron – A contrast in responsibility Background - Covenant agreed to (40 days prior) Moses on mountain Aaron is High Priest Exodus 32 The Golden Calf 1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=220&Itemid=29 John 11 uses emotionally intense words many times to describe Jesus' feelings. John also gives us a glimpse into how the Christ responded emotionally to particular situations. If discipleship calls us to imitate the Messiah then these are clues as to what our emotional perspective should be. Twice in John 11 Jesus' emotion is described as “angry” or “intensely moved”. (HCSB, NetBible) The exact word is not the issue but the intensity and depth of the emotion is to be noted. A translator's note on verse 33 in the NetBible reads as follows; http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=219&Itemid=28 The South Florida Church of Christ's youth ministry held a mock trial on the accuracy and truthfulness of the Bible. A real judge oversaw the courtroom drama. The article is posted at DisciplesToday.org (http://www.disciplestoday.org/content/view/1444/44/). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=218&Itemid=29 John 6 tells the account of feeding the 5000. Those present misconstrue the purposes and intentions of Jesus. They develop false expectations which creates schisms among them. Some eventually walk away from the Messiah and one is predicted to betray Him. Jesus heals the paralytic in John 5:8 and probably others (John 6:2). The miracles are performed to increase faith and prove He is the Christ (John 10:35,38, John 6:29). The crowd however merely wants to see more miracles (John 6:2), perhaps for entertainment or personal benefit. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=217&Itemid=29 Surah 23:91 مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَهٍ إِذًا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَهٍ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ 23:91 (Asad) Never did God take unto Himself any offspring,nor has there ever been any deity side by side with Him: [for, had there been any,] lo! each deity would surely have stood apart [from the others] in whatever it had created,and they would surely have [tried to] overcome one another! Limitless in His glory is God, [far] above anything that men may devise by way of definition.1 Deuteronomy 6:4 שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָֽד׃ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.2God is one. The Bible clearly teaches the oneness of God. Jews around the world recite the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) during morning and evening prayers, declaring the lordship and oneness of Yahweh. The Quran states there is one God in Surah 2:163. However, neither Jews nor Muslims believe God came to man in the flesh to be sacrificed. They deny the deity of Jesus. The Christ is the center of Christianity and to deny Him as the messiah is heresy (1 John 4:2). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=216&Itemid=28 John Mark Hicks writes of Baptismal Rapprochement Between Southern Baptists and Churches of Christ? (http://johnmarkhicks.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/baptismal-rapprochement-between-southern-baptists-and-churches-of-christ/) An intriguing look into the differences and common ground between the churches of Christ and the Baptists on baptism. I have found more Baptists using soteriological (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soteriology) language today than in the past. More church of Christ individuals are divorcing baptism from instant salvation and seeing a need for faith, repentance and transformation as part of the process of salvation. Both of the aforementioned deviations are just that - anomalies in their respective camps. Read the John Mark Hick's blog. What are your thoughts? What scriptures back up your thoughts? http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=215&Itemid=29 John 1:19-28 After centuries of waiting, the messiah was upon the Jews. However, they needed an introduction to Jesus, the lamb of God. There misconceptions of who He should be had to be overcome. There expectation was a military king or perhaps the three fold savior(s) of the Essenes (prophet, priest and king; see the NETBible commentary (http://net.bible.org/passage.php?search=john%201:19-28&passage=john%201:19-28#n8) on John 1:19). Jesus had to be explained and John the Baptist was the one for the job. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=214&Itemid=29 Jesus is the light. Descending from Heaven to enter His creation, Jesus condescends to meet the need of humanity. Why only “need” and not needs? I have one need which is salvation. I need the light, the light does not need me. I need the Christ and His Word which provides the way of salvation. There is one need. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213&Itemid=28 If you lead a group in a congregation (or a congregation), stagnation has a high price. If time is not allocated for thinking through utilizing the gifts of your ministry and setting a direction, you could find yourself in a Thinkhole. Christianity Today has 6 patterns to avoid in leading your ministry. The article is here (http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/2009/mayjun/unoriginalsin.html). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=212&Itemid=28 The Christian Standard has an excellent article on three areas of church leadership. The call to clearly define roles, deal with conflict and mentoring are certainly central issues if a congregation is to grow. The article is here (http://christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1259). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=211&Itemid=29 Are Goals Biblical? Luke 13:32 He replied, Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.'” - Jesus had goals. Are there parameters for Goals?Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? - Spiritual goals must be met by spiritual means. To grow in patience, kindness, fruitfulness is not a matter of will power or working harder. It is a humble posture on my knees; consuming the perspective of God via the scriptures. What is the ultimate Goal? Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.1 Peter 1:9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.2 Corinthians 5:9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. - Pleasing God, and by consequence, entry into Heaven. These constitute the target for which we are aiming. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=210&Itemid=29 Brothers and Sisters, How important are prayer and Bible study? Can we accomplish much for God without them? Do they feed the Spirit of God within us? Bible study and prayer are important. I have been lax in my prayer life, but more and more sense the need to pray - being forced to my knees by realizing their is no other answer. My concern for myself, our family group and are fellowship at large is Bible study. As we (as a church) begin to see growth, church plantings and missionary work, we can easily be lulled into a false sense of security. We are doing well spiritually, because we are growing , will be the reasoning. However Matthew 23:15 tells us this is not a valid argument... Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=209&Itemid=28 The Christian Standard carries two articles concerning the need to train our youth in Bible literacy. The consequences of our children not understanding apologetics, theology and the uniqueness of Christianity are grave. Perhaps it is time to stop underestimating our teens and younger and provide them scriptural meat. The links to the articles are below. http://christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1085 (http://christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1085)http://christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1086 (http://christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1086) http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=175&Itemid=29 How important is it to know who God is? Some will say it is the job of theologians to answer such a deep question. Other will have their minister or pastor be the source of knowledge. Some will even go to the bible to learn about the Lord, from their perspective. Unfortunately, many have an incomplete or skewed view of God. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=28 Are people still interested in the existence of God? You bet! An online bookie opened betting on the age old debate. The betting site indicated, “However we advise anyone still not sure of God's existence to maybe hedge their bets for now, just in case.” - how very postmodern of them. The Telegraph posted their article here (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/3374240/Paddy-Power-offers-odds-of-4-1-that-God-exists.html).My bet is infinity to 1 that there is a God. They payout looks pretty good too. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=207&Itemid=28 NetworkWorld reports on Abilene Christian University's (http://www.acu.edu/) iPhone program. “iPhones go to front of the class at Texas university - Apple devices at heart of Abilene Christian mobile learning project” Certainly not your father's stodgy Restoration Movement! Go ACU! The article is here (http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/101308-abilene.html?nwwpkg=slideshows). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=206&Itemid=29 Background: Philippi, arrested for driving prophetic spirit out of slave girl 22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted, Don't harm yourself! We are all here! http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=28 Jesse C. Long Jr., an archaeologist, reports on, “[an] upcoming “NOVA” documentary entitled 'The Bible’s Buried Secrets,' to be broadcast Nov. 18 on PBS, will challenge the integrity of the Bible and infuriate most Christians.” He challenges the science used to make claims of contradictions and inaccuracies in the Bible. The Christian Chronicle has the article here (http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158499%7EPBS_program_claims_Bible_is_historically_unreliable). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=204&Itemid=28 Dan and Mary Allison of HOPE worldwide report on progress in helping to reconstruct Afghanistan. From providing water sources to solar ovens, the Afghan people have benefited from the generous serving hearts of the Allisons. Take a look at our latest newsletter by either clicking here or by going to their blog. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=202&Itemid=29 What is the “Good News” and am I preaching it? It is easy for me to lose track of what is important and what is peripheral in what I share with others. Too often I catch myself sharing about church or honestly, church culture, than about Jesus, the resurrection and the kingdom of God. Below are some bullets from a lesson / devotional I gave on the Good News. It opened my eyes and was a bucket of cold water on my soul. Acts 5:42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 8:12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=201&Itemid=28 The Early Church seminar had a profound effect on me and, I suspect, most others in attendance. Certainly the early Christians had a lifestyle radically different from ours. Their perspective on doctrine, church, relationships, etc..., are very foreign to contemporary Christianity. Lessons about the church and the world revealed the destructive nature of Christians becoming mainstream. A real treat was a speaker who is outside the ICOC coming in to speak to us. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=200&Itemid=28 Early Church History SeminarDouglas Jacoby has assembled a challenging and thought provoking group of speakers for this weekend. The highlight and keynote speaker is David Bercot (“Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up (http://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/index.html)”). David gave the introduction to seminar with, “The Evolution of Christendom”. Perhaps the it may have been more aptly titled “The Devolution of Christendom”. Mr. Bercot will speak on Saturday about The Spirit of Sectarianism”. Certainly, it will be refreshing to hear from someone outside the Restoration Movement looking in and objective about this topic. Another highlight, so far, has been the great fellowship. Alan Rouse is also attending and we were able to meet face to face. (Icing on the cake, so to speak.) Alan is also blogging about the conference at his site, Christian Unit (http://rouses.net/blog/)y. (http://rouses.net/blog/) http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=198&Itemid=29 Genesis 4 retells the account of Cain and Able. Able offers the best of his livestock to God. Cain offers produce from the land. God is pleased with Able's offering by not Cain's. Although the text seemsto indicate a more sacrificial gift from Able (“fat portions”, “firstborn of flock”) than Cain (“some of”), there is no explanation as to why God favors one gift over another. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=197&Itemid=28 The Christian Chronicle reports on the “quadrennial gathering of members of the Churches of Christ, Christian Churches and Disciples of Christ worldwide” known as the World Convention. “Mike Cope, preaching minister at the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, and keynote speaker, said: 'There are differences among the three groups, of course, but this isn’t a gathering that focuses on those. Rather, it’s a unity meeting.'” The article is here (http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158442~Conferences_focused_on_doctrine,_spiritual_growth_and_unity_draw_crowds) at the bottom of the page. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=196&Itemid=29 Proverbs 18 1 One who isolates himself pursues [selfish] desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. (Holman CSB) Deuteronomy 28 9 The LORD will establish you as His holy people, as He swore to you, if you obey the commands of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. (Holman CSB) Isolation is dividing or separating from others or being divided or separated from others. Sometimes isolation (parad) and holy (qodesh ) are used interchangeably by those who wish to defend their divisiveness. Parad and qodesh are not the same. Qodesh refers to that which has been put aside by God for His purpose as holy or consecrated. Parad is also a separation, but not necessarily with purpose or God's intent but by man's catalyst. Why are parad and qodesh often switched? Because men “pursue selfish desires”. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=195&Itemid=29 Wayne Jackson has written a practical and well thought out commentary on Romans 14. Although the concept of Romans 14 is easy to intellectually digest, the implementation can be messy once real people are involved. Brother Wayne sifts through the common issues and conflicts once one attempts to apply Romans 14. The article is here (http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1435-an-analysis-of-romans-14). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=194&Itemid=29 Romans 6 tells us the deep significance of immersion. “3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=193&Itemid=29 Does uniformity imply unity? Does God expect uniformity? Can I be in fellowship with others who are not in lock step with me? Satan has used a the “uniformity equals unity” argument through the centuries with great success. Many have been duped into hating their brothers and waging divisive battles against fellow believers in the name of unity. However, the real conflict was over adherence to man made standards. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=192&Itemid=28 What of the last few months? My plate has been full and I have not written since May. Here are a few of the items which have consumed time, emotional and mental resources. School – I am in school and have had quite a workload. Teaching a midweek class – Over the last 6+ weeks I have taught a “World Religions – is God a Christian?” class. It contains a great deal of media and research. Ministry – Both outreach and encouraging my brothers has (happily) filled much of my schedule. Finally, my family – I want to give to them and make sure they are encouraged and growing in their faith in God. However, I miss writing for RestorationUnity.com and realize there is a need not only for those who read my site, but for me. Writing helps me with clarity of thought and faith. Over the next few weeks I will attempt to get back to an article once per week posted. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=191&Itemid=29 Steve Staten, teacher and evangelist with the Chicago Church of Christ, preaches and teaches a presentation on “Who is my Brother?”. The Chicago Church of Christ has had coordinated events and cooperation with non ICOC churches in the recent past. Steve has made church unity (within the borders of the ICOC and beyond) a specialty of study for himself for years (see his paper on early church unity, here (../../../content/view/35/29/)) and is a respected within the ICOC fellowship. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=190&Itemid=29 I have read the bible in its entirety this year from January 1st to April 30th . By accelerating the reading time from one year to four months, two themes stood out to me. The continuity of the bible is remarkable and a fresh perspective on reading the New Testament in light of the Old. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=189&Itemid=28 A little notice for those who read RestorationUnity.com - I am on a 3 month hiatus. This year (2008) I am following a Bible in A Year reading plan. I should finish in May. I am also teaching a 5th grade (Sunday School) class and preparing lessons for them. Occasionally I am asked to substitute in adult classes as well. To responsibly handle these responsibilities, I have not had time to research and write as before for RU. See you in May (or hopefully, before). Phil Spadaro http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=188&Itemid=29 How do know if someone “deserves” your love or affection? What happens in a relationship when one person thinks they “deserve” something? Look at two perspectives on God. Luke 7 The Faith of the Centurion 1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue. 6So Jesus went with them. http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=187&Itemid=28 “A few brothers in Bangalore, India were falsely imprisoned for preaching the gospel. They are now out on bail. For details, please see message below from Shajus Philip, preacher in the Bangalore Church of Christ. -- Nikesh G.”What follows the opening quote is a contemporary real life account of those going to prison for their faith in India. It is wrought with pain, injustice, corruption and abuse. Despite the negative circumstances, our brothers in Christ remained faithful in prayer and sharing the good news with others. Thanks to Douglas Jacoby for posting this article. It can be found here (http://www.douglasjacoby.com/view_article.php?ID=5622). http://www.restorationunity.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=186&Itemid=28 Holman Publishing has released “The Apologetics Study Bible”, a Holman Christian Standard Bible translation teeming with logical arguments concerning the faith, book introductions and commentary. For the beginning student of apologetics, it offers the primary biblical defenses setup by top evangelical minds. Unfortunately, some of the commentaries and features fall short in doctrinal accuracy due to an undue Protestant (as opposed to biblical) bent.