Your next purchase! December 2, 2009

So today i got an ESV study bible, something which I’ve been wanting to get for a long time! For reasons why i prefer the ESV, see my other post here, but for now, here’s the run down - 

The ESV Study Bible was created to help people understand the Bible in a deeper way—to understand the timeless truth of God’s Word as a powerful, compelling, life-changing reality. To accomplish this, the ESV Study Bible combines the best and most recent evangelical Christian scholarship with the highly regarded ESV Bible text. The result is the most comprehensive study Bible ever published—with 2,752 pages of extensive, accessible Bible resources.

Created by an outstanding team of 95 evangelical Christian scholars and teachers, the ESV Study Bible presents completely new study notes, maps, illustrations, charts, timelines, articles, and introductions. Altogether the ESV Study Bible comprises 2 million words of Bible text, insightful explanation, teaching, and reference material—equivalent to a 20-volume Bible resource library all contained in one volume.

Of course, anyone could write that about anything, but some back up from some teachers you will no doubt know of (and there’s many more just on the box!)

“The ESV Study Bible is the finest study tool I have seen in fifty years of Bible teaching. The notes, articles, maps, and illustrations are all of the highest quality. It is a great achievement!” – Jerry Bridges

“The ESV is a dream come true for me. The rightful heir to a great line of historic translations, it provides the continuity and modern accuracy I longed for. Now the scope and theological faithfulness of the ESV Study Bible study notes is breathtaking. Oh how precious is the written Word of God.” – John Piper

“The ESV Study Bible is the most important resource that has been given to the emerging generation of Bible students and teachers. The ESV Study Bible is the best. Period.” – Mark Driscoll

“I was privileged to act as General Editor of the English Standard Version, and now that I look back on what we did in producing that version, I find myself suspecting very strongly that this was the most important thing that I have ever done for the Kingdom, and that the product of our labors is perhaps the biggest milestone in Bible translation in certainly the last half century at least, and perhaps more. And now, as Theological Editor of the ESV Study Bible, I believe that the work we have done together on this project has set an altogether new standard in study Bibles.” – J.I. Packer

I’m happy for you guys to take a look. In fact, i want to show you. Every purchase comes with free access to the online version, too, where you can add notes etc.

Check out more info and samples here.

In God We Trust November 29, 2009

The dollar bill say in God we trust
Its funny cause money is the only God we trust

 

There’s a song by 116 Clique that i wake up to each and every morning. A lot of people don’t like hip hop (and i’m not a fan of much either), but these guys are different. They don’t fit the stereotypes (and there’s the problem with genres – all good music is unique in it’s own way!). They don’t rap about sex, drugs and money. No, they rap about Jesus. 

116 Clique derive their name from Romans 1:16, which says

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

 

The hip hop supergroup features such rappers as Lecrae, Trip Lee and Tedashi, all of whom are christians, and each who have a truly powerful story about how God has changed their life. I wake up to the song ‘Cash or Christ/Fanatic’ each morning, as it reminds me of my purpose, what the coming day is for, and what to seek in life. Expect to see more of their lyrics soon – like hip hop or not, these guys would be up as some of the most powerful Christian lyricists around.

 

Got money, got whips, got ice
Still broke homeboy! No Christ
Got a debt to pay, some real heavy wages
And the payment for his sin is pretty outrageous
I seen him park the car, suicide doors
Without Christ he walking through a suicide door

Forget about the cash, Forget about the clothes
Forget about the stash, Forget about the dough
Forget about the cars, Forget about the rims
Forget about the stars, Forget about the benz
Forget about the big crib, tryna get rich, the big 64 plenty dough and tryna sip chrys
Forget the cash and chains, that stuff will pass away
And you cant take it with you to your after days

 

Schoolies journal coming soon.

Facts about Child Soldiers November 17, 2009

Taken from Human Rights Watch:

 

Although there are no exact figures, hundreds of thousands of children under the age of 18 serve in government forces or armed rebel groups. Some are as young as eight years old.

Since 2001, the participation of child soldiers has been reported in 21 on-going or recent armed conflicts in almost every region of the world.

Children are uniquely vulnerable to military recruitment because of their emotional and physical immaturity. They are easily manipulated and can be drawn into violence that they are too young to resist or understand.

Technological advances in weaponry and the proliferation of small arms have contributed to the increased use of child soldiers. Lightweight automatic weapons are simple to operate, often easily accessible, and can be used by children as easily as adults.

Children are most likely to become child soldiers if they are poor, separated from their families, displaced from their homes, living in a combat zone or have limited access to education.

Many children join armed groups because of economic or social pressure, or because children believe that the group will offer food or security. Others are forcibly recruited, “press-ganged” or abducted by armed groups.

Both girls and boys are used as child soldiers. In some countries, like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Uganda, a third or more of the child soldiers were reported to be girls. In some conflicts, girls may be raped, or given to military commanders as “wives.”

Once recruited, child soldiers may serve as porters or cooks, guards, messengers or spies. Many are pressed into combat, where they may be forced to the front lines or sent into minefields ahead of older troops. Some children have been used for suicide missions.

Children are sometimes forced to commit atrocities against their own family or neighbors. Such practices help ensure that the child is “stigmatized” and unable to return to his or her home community.

In some countries, former child soldiers have access to rehabilitation programs to help them locate their families, get back into school, receive vocational training, and re-enter civilian life. However, many children have no access to such programs. They may have no way to support themselves and are at risk of re-recruitment

In 2000, the United Nations adopted an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The protocol prohibits the forced recruitment of children under the age of 18 or their use in hostilities. To date, it has been ratified by more than 110 countries.

The ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labor prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under the age of 18 for use in armed conflict. It has been ratified by over 150 countries.

 

 

It is finished. November 10, 2009

 

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

 

- Isaiah 1:18

Where do you store your treasure? November 9, 2009

 

Things i wouldn’t mind:

- A swim

- A new CD

- A good book

- A walk

- Lunch

- Physics

- An Xbox night

- A girlfriend

- A new guitar

- A car

- More money

Things i really want:

- Year 12 formal. So excited!

- Schoolies

- A job. Somewhat.

- A jetpack or rocket chair.

- Camp!

- An Aston Martin, please.

- A new bible

- A lamington

- To see my friends

- A big family holiday

Things i need:

- Jesus

 

When you look at it that way, you realise what really matters.

BOOM, SMACKDOWN! October 27, 2009

Here’s William Lane Craig discussing 5 things that cant be proven by science, but in which every rational person believes. Don’t hear me wrong, i enjoy science, but it’s fallible, and so often scholars and individuals will take their faith in science too far. It’s a shame the video doesn’t show the counter argument, but give this a watch!

 

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Long time, no see October 20, 2009

Yup, i haven’t had a hero of the week for a particularly long time! This time it’s slightly different.

 

My hero of the week goes to whoever started this site. Tell you what, it’s an excellent resource and a very strong case for life. Be sure to check out some of the articles, videos, and merch (the shirts go cheap!)

Here’s probably the most tame of the videos on the site. Some show graphic images, just so you know, however they will warn you too. Those images will change you (in a good way, i assure you!)

 

A historic look at the slew of high-profile events which largely kept the public’s eye off the Supreme Court’s tragic rulings in Roe vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton.

 

 

Warm fuzzy up for grabs!

Piper on prosperity October 19, 2009

I do like written posts (and believe me, im partway through a long one!), but i think videos, especially when i have little time, have an incredible ability to evoke our emotions and thought through visual and audible methods. That’s why i post videos more recently, sorry if you don’t like that!

Here’s John Piper on the prosperity gospel. John Piper is a powerful speaker, I’m sure you guys who read this are well familiarised with him and his views, and the many pastors he’s associated with. If you aren’t, be sure to check him out!

 

 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

Can you pass the Kindergarten Test? October 15, 2009

Knowing you guys who read this, I’d say you’ll have a laugh here:

 

 

 

Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.

Goobers October 15, 2009

I recently went on another awesome, and in fact my final (as a camper), Anglican Youthworks Camp. My camera broke early on, so i have limited photos, but here’s some highlights! (click to view full quality)

 

 

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.