Thought Quotient

No, I’m not talking about the Petra album from the 80s, however - that is not totally unrelated to this topic.

I’m talking about spiritual warfare. Did you know you were involved in a battle for your heart, mind, and soul? If you don’t, it’s time you did. The enemy is at work, and we need to know how to combat him and his methods. Hint: You can’t do it alone.

I found this great question and answer page (done in Macromedia) that is really informative and helpful.

When the Enemy Strikes.

Check it out! You’ll be glad you did.

Some people say Alan Keyes is an opportunist…

Q: Why is he running for Senate in Illinois?

A: Click here for a small clip - in his own words….

By the way, check out these other clips of Alan giving us insight into other important issues…

The root of our problems

The war on terror

The war in Iraq

A winning strategy against terrorism

Christian conscience

Christianity and marriage

The moral crisis

Okay, I couldn’t resist jumping on the free-stuff bandwagon with my companions here at TQ! And in a fantastic exercise of attempted one-up-manship I have decided to throw out links to some uber-cool free Bible Software for your PDA!

1.) Pocket e-Sword.

This software is made available absolutely FREE! by Rick Meyers. It is only for PocketPC owners and is extremely well done. Many modules are available for free download including the English Standard Version (one of my favorites), God’s Word, The Message (students in our youth group call it, The Bible for Dummies), King James Version w/ Strong’s numbers (another personal favorite). And for all you Greek lovers and students, they have the Textus Receptus and Westcott-Hort greek texts w/Strongs - and even the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament). Plus, it has versions of the Bible in pretty much every other major language. There are 9 commentaries, 10 dictionaries/encyclopedias, 3 devotionals and the website is updated monthly with new stuff. Sorry, no NIV or NKJV. But I highly recommend the ESV (English Standard Version) in their place. It has great functionality including highlighting of verses, per-verse note-taking, search functions, bookmarking, daily Bible Reading, etc… All for free!! The only con is that the text-search can be quite slow. But the ease of use, functionality, modules, and FREE-NESS (no, it’s not really a word) easily make up for it! Check it out! But bes ure and pack your SecureDigital/CompactFlash cards… there’s a lot of stuff. Oh yeah, and they have a free desktop version available too with *tons* more stuff! It’s a virtual cornucopia of Biblical knowledge for zero cost! Rick Meyers… I love you (in the strictest fraternal sense, of course)!!

2.) Olive Tree Bible Software’s Bible Reader for Pocket PC and Palm

Slightly less impressive, but still free… well, mostly. The software is free, and there are several free Bible versions available - though they do make God’s Word, ASV and KJV versions available for free - as well as several versions in other languages. Two free commentaries and a free Bible reading program round off the free package. Not as much free stuff, and it had some strange habits on Pocket PC (but a new version has been released). Still, the search on this thing is super-fast and… well… the colors are customizable!

Put your PDA to good use! You can only play so much solitaire…

Abducted aid worker pleads for life in new video;
In separate case, Japan resists hostage demands in Iraq

I’ve heard it said that fear and faith can’t coexist.

As I see another incident where the terrorists kidnap someone and threaten to kill them if their demands aren’t met, I am reminded of that. That got me to thinking….why are they doing this? Why go to all of this trouble just to end up killing the hostage in the end?

(more…)

Derek Webb spent several years writing songs and playing with the group Caedmon’s Call. Now he is out performing on his own. I’ve always thought he was a very good songwriter and definitely worth checking out.

Check this out…it’s a free mp3 of a song off of his latest album.

Reputation - Written as a sort of apology after a ‘miscommunication’ with my wife.
While you can’t avoid some people judging you by patterns in your behavior, there are some people which whom you hope to never have a ‘reputation,’ as ‘love keeps no record of wrongs.’

-derek webb

As we enter the last few days of the election, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the issues at stake. As it turns out, I’ve also been doing a lot of Bible study - particularly in the Old Testament prophets. Hold on! Before you shut me out… NO, I’m not going to be making any prophetic utterances about the election! I just noticed an interesting recurring parallel between our country’s current state and the message of God through the prophets to Israel.

Repeatedly in the prophets, the message from God is summed up in the following:

1. I have decided to send judgment on you because of your evil behavior and idolatry

2. Repent and turn from your evil ways and idolatry

3. If you do repent…

a. You will be forgiven and I may yet turn back my wrath.

b. Our relationship will be renewed and I will bless you.

4. If you do not repent…

a. This punishment will certainly come upon you.

b. When you do repent - and you will because this judgment is going to be awful - I will forgive you, but the punishment will still come.

c. A faithful remnant (remaining faithful population) will be protected in their obedience.

d. I will punish and destroy your enemies (whom I have made victorious over you).

(See Jeremiah 25-27)

Why is this interesting? Because I believe (and scripture seems to imply) that this is characteristic of the way God deals with his people in general - both as individuals and as nations. So, if our nation - founded on Christian principles - refuses to repent and turn from its evil ways - child sacrifice (abortion), sexual immorality (homosexuality and rampant adultery), idolatry (religious pluralism and cultural relativism)… I fear that God will pour out His discipline on us. If He allowed the nations of Israel and Judah (His chosen nations) to be overthrown by Babylon and Rome, why should we expect anything else?

Now, here’s the really interesting part. If you read in Jeremiah 27:8-22 you will find that God finally made His judgment certain. Babylon would overthrow all the nations of Israel. They would be taken into captivity. And they were not to rebel against this because it was God’s judgment. If they rebelled against Babylon, they would be destroyed. They were to accept the discipline of the Lord and God would deliver them after their time of captivity - which He did! If they accepted this discipline, though they would be captive, they could live and remain.

Here’s my point. Right now, I believe we have a chance to stand and act and repent - as individuals and as a nation - before God. But God will not always hold off His judgment and discipline. And the time may come when we have no choice but to accept His discipline and surrender our freedom. I pray that time would not come. But God does not change and though He is abundant in mercy - unless His people act and speak out - history tells us it most likely will come. Let us stand in His name - in love, in dignity, but also in truth! Vote your conscience, vote on the issues!