About.com Christianity

Before and After Stories

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:53 +0000

Ever since I started accepting Christian testimonies for publication on the site, not a week has gone by that I haven't received at least one meaningful story from a member or visitor about their life transformed through faith. They are real life examples of how a relationship with Jesus Christ can make a difference in someone's life. Many of these salvation stories tell incredible accounts of dramatic change. Now, I'm excited to offer a new way for you not only to tell your story, but show how your faith in Jesus has changed you!

Do you have photographs that document your transformation? Do you have a remarkable before and after story? Please show and tell us about it!

� Show & Tell Us Your Story

_{Image Courtesy of Brooke D.}

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Before and After Stories originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 06:00:53.

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Weekly Prayers & Poems - A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:00:24 +0000

Throughout the month of November, I'll be featuring prayers for Thanksgiving in each of these weekly posts. This week's prayer is A Thanksgiving Day Prayer submitted by About.com member, Scott Wesemann.

Do you have an original Thanksgiving prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem, please fill out this Prayer / Poem Submission Form.

Image: © Davide Guglielmo

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Lord, so often times, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more
To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

Read more ... A Thanksgiving Day Prayer by Scott Wesemann.

More Thanksgiving Prayers:

Weekly Prayers & Poems - A Thanksgiving Day Prayer originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 06:00:24.

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Great Gift Ideas - Popular Christian Books

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:00:38 +0000

Need a few outstanding gift ideas this holiday season? From now through Christmas, I'll be offering suggestions of items I think would make great gifts for the important people on your Christmas list.

Image Courtesy of Pricegrabber

For those who love to read, consider one of these popular Christian books. I've just updated the list with these Christian bestsellers and "most wanted" Christian library books. Topping the list right now is Francis Chan's Crazy Love.

� Top 10 Most Popular Christian Books

Also:

� Favorite Books for Thanksgiving
� Top Family Christmas Books

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Great Gift Ideas - Popular Christian Books originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 06:00:38.

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Logos Bible Software 4 Releases Today

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:15:38 +0000

The Word is Out—Literally!

Knowing a secret isn't much fun until you finally get to tell someone. So, I'm very excited to be one of the first to announce today's release of Logos Bible Software 4.

This screen shot shows a portion of the newly designed home page of Logos 4. The top left corner of the page (where users access all study tools and guides) has been magnified.

I've had a little time to investigate the software, but not enough for a comprehensive review like this one of the previous version, Logos Bible Software 3. Today, I'll briefly discuss what's new, what's different, and what's best about Logos 4. But before I do, let me address the question that's almost certainly on your mind if you're already a Logos Bible Software enthusiast. Yes, Logos 4 comes with the same unique engine—the Libronix Digital Library System—that powered its predecessor. That's good news, because there's still nothing like it. The fully-indexed Libronix system lets users almost instantly search and access every available resource in their digital library. With Logos 3, I said it was "like having your own personal librarian, who, at the touch of a button, will quickly look up and organize all of the resources and information you'll ever need for comprehensive Bible study." Now, that smart little digital librarian works even more efficiently in Logos 4.

What's New and Different?

Attractive Home Page
The home page of Logos 4 is completely redesigned, very visually pleasing, and displays an assortment of content from your library. It's like opening up an inviting smorgasbord of options for Bible study each time you load the program. Even so, the selections don't clutter or get in your way, and you can find exactly what you need, faster than ever. Absolutely everything necessary for an in depth study is located at the top left corner of your screen. For even quicker access you can custom arrange shortcuts on your home page by dragging your most-used resource tabs to the top menu bar. Read more...

Logos Bible Software 4 Releases Today originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 07:15:38.

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This Week's Testimony: Vance's Rescue from Deep Waters

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:14 +0000

Vance had fallen so deep into trouble, pain, and emptiness, he no longer knew the way out. He felt as though he was wasting his life. But God reached down from on high and took hold of Vance, rescuing him out of the deep waters.

Vance's true story is one of many uniquely featured testimonies from you, the members and visitors of this site. Each story reveals a life transformed by Christian faith. If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it. Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form. To receive weekly messages of hope and encouragement from real-life stories of changed lives, sign up for eTestimonies.

Featured Testimony: Vance's Rescue from Deep Waters

This Week's Testimony: Vance's Rescue from Deep Waters originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 06:00:14.

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This Day in Christian History

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:00:54 +0000

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his famous 95-Thesis to the University's bulletin board—the Castle Church door, formally challenging church leaders on the practice of selling indulgences and outlining the biblical doctrine of justification by grace alone.

Portrait of Martin Luther
Photo: Sean Gallup / Getty Images

This act of nailing his Thesis to the church door has become a defining moment in Christian history, symbolic of the birth of the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther was a German monk and religious scholar who challenged the unbiblical practices of the sixteenth century Roman Catholic Church and translated the Bible into the German language for common people to read and understand for the first time. More than any other church reformer in Christian history, the impact and influence of Luther's contributions are hard to adequately describe. It's no exaggeration to say that almost every branch of modern Protestant Christianity owes some portion of its spiritual heritage to Martin Luther, a man of radical faith.

Learn more about Martin Luther.

This Day in Christian History originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 06:00:54.

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The Beginning and the End of Wisdom

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:00:26 +0000

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."
(Proverbs 1:7a, SENT)

If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, what then is the end of wisdom? In this topical devotional, J. Webb Mealy discusses the fear of the Lord and the meaning of Proverbs 1:7a. He suggests that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but not the end of wisdom. To him, the end of wisdom (its goal and aim) is not to fear God, but to fear what God fears.

� Read Devotional: The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

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The Beginning and the End of Wisdom originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 06:00:26.

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Guest Book Review: The Last Word by N.T. Wright

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:00:40 +0000

The latest guest book review is The Last Word by N.T. Wright, an easy-to-read summary of the many contemporary controversies over the authority of Scripture. By surveying the past, Wright helps Christians better understand the opposing views on the validity of the Bible and the questions that today's skeptics often ask. He recommends a path for getting back on track with kingdom purposes and leaving behind the Bible wars.

If you've read the book and would like to post your own comments, please be sure to select the "Write a Review" button at the end of the guest review.

To submit an original guest book review for publication on the Christianity site, check out this Christian Book Review Submission Form.

� Read Review: The Last Word by N.T. Wright

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Guest Book Review: The Last Word by N.T. Wright originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 06:00:40.

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What Does the Bible Say About Halloween?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:00:49 +0000

Christian perspectives on Halloween are strongly divided. Here are three differing views to consider:

"... Halloween is anything but harmless. It focuses one's attention on witchcraft and demonism, which flies in the face of the holy God Almighty! When parents not only allow but also encourage their children to celebrate witches and goblins, they are teaching them that it's acceptable to deal in demonism." -- Jerold Aust from "Halloween: Behind the Mask"

"... Rather than 'hide' in the face of evil, we should unabashedly and boldly create an alternative that is positive and uplifting; that celebrates good over evil and the triumph of God over Satan. We need to provide an environment that also makes room for heaps of fun while using the day as a 'teachable moment' to celebrate God's protection, provision and purpose for our lives." -- Elliott Watson from "Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?"

"Not all believers should celebrate Halloween. For those who have been redeemed from the occult, Halloween in its foolishness may contain what was for them deadly seriousness ... It is understandable that they look with horror upon what once enslaved them. Such sensitivity may be appropriate for them, but it is not appropriate for the majority of Christians. Holding their opinions as appropriate for most believers is like having a former bulimic dictate how Christians should regard church hot-plate socials ... Christians should instead celebrate Halloween with gusto. If we follow the traditional formula of having a good time at his expense, Satan flees." -- Anderson M. Rearick III from "Matters of Opinion: Hallowing Halloween"

This article attempts to tackle the controversial question, "Should Christians Observe Halloween?" With no direct references to Halloween in the Bible, resolving the debate can be a challenge. How should Christians approach Halloween and is there a biblical way to observe this secular holiday?

Read:

What Does the Bible Say About Halloween?
Take a Poll: Do You Celebrate Halloween?
Christian Alternatives to Halloween

What Does the Bible Say About Halloween? originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 06:00:49.

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This Week's Testimony: Nancy's Pink Blanket

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:00:35 +0000

All alone at age ten, with a mentally ill, hospitalized mother and a father who had just passed away, Nancy went to stay with her elderly widowed aunt. Living with this harsh, strict woman, Nancy dearly missed the closeness and love she had once known with her father, until one day in a moment of despair, God rushed into her world through an answered prayer and an unlikely event with a pink blanket.

Nancy's story of the pink blanket is one of our many featured testimonies from you, the members and visitors of this site. Each story reveals a life transformed by Christian faith. If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it.
� Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form.
� To receive weekly messages of hope and encouragement from real-life stories of changed lives, sign up for eTestimonies.

� Read: Nancy's Pink Blanket

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This Week's Testimony: Nancy's Pink Blanket originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 06:00:35.

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