Valerie Saxion

In Genesis 6:3 God said that His spirit would not put up with humans for such a long period of time (the people of Noah’s day lived for hundreds of years). God said that we are only mortal flesh. In the future man’s average lifespan would be 120 years. From the time of Noah to now, we’ve blown it. The life expectancy today is just under 88 years. We may live longer today that our ancestors did 100 years ago but we certainly aren’t where God intended for us to be.

There are many books and programs to aid people in living longer and healthier lives. Once per week until I feel I’ve run out of Christian books and programs, this blog will focus on health and nutrition. This week the focus will be on Valerie Saxion.

Valerie Saxion is the host of TBN's "On Call," which airs twice weekly across America. The program is dedicated to bringing the most up-to-date health and nutritional information to the viewing audience. Dr. Saxion is one of TBN's favorite speakers and can be seen quarterly on the flagship show, "Praise the Lord." Viewer mail is strong for Dr. Saxion and clearly indicates that the audience is nationwide as well as international. Each week, Valerie emphasizes this point on her weekly television program, "Alternative Health". It's her mission, the company's duty and the ministries mandate to help hurting people, naturally.

2009 marks Thirty-one years of ministering health for Dr. Val. It will also denote her twenty-ninth wedding anniversary, twenty-seventh year of Motherhood (eight children) and seventeenth year of Valerie Saxion.

Longevity and quality is exhibited in everything she does. This motto is demonstrated in the books she writes, the message she speaks and the products offered.

Valerie Saxion is the architect and host of "Alternative Health with Valerie Saxion, N.D.," which airs various times weekly, nationally and internationally via Daystar, Inspiration and the Church Channel, FIT TV, networks as well as select PAX stations and other independent stations. Click TV Schedule for complete listings. "God has the answer to everything" she says as she speaks over the airways. Dr. Val appeared on TV over 1,000 times since 2001, her office took over half a million calls and her website, Drval.TV, has seen over one hundred million hits.

"Alternative Health with Valerie Saxion, N.D." is dedicated to bringing the most up-to-date health information to its audience with Valerie and other qualified health experts. "Alternative Health with Valerie Saxion, N.D." strives to educate its large audience about the many benefits of Alternative, natural health protection and its corresponding principles. Valerie and her guests discuss a wide range of health issues, including nutrition, food supplements, and anti-aging advances. But the topics are endless and the manner by which they are approached is creative, cutting edge, humorous and somber.

Valerie's tremendous volume of mail, calls, and e-mail clearly demonstrates that "Alternative Health with Valerie Saxion, N.D." reaches and serves an international audience that is very interested in learning about natural health. Weekly we answer countless inquiries concerning advances in natural health; thousands act on the advice offered and the food supplements recommended. Many of these food supplements are available through Total Health Laboratories or at local health food stores.

Each edition of "Alternative Health with Valerie Saxion, N.D." is devoted to a particular health issue with a focus on natural approaches to solving problems and optimizing health. These natural approaches are always well researched and practical, but are not always considered "mainstream," sometimes because the commercial health industry sees them as unprofitable.

In addition to providing information about natural health, "Alternative Health with Valerie Saxion, N.D." also addresses serious health conditions, including AIDS, asthma, arthritis, ADD, anemia, bed-wetting, cancer, and chelation--and that's just the first three letters of the alphabet!

Audience age is typically 30 years and above, 60% female, and includes all income brackets. In particular, Baby Boomers reaching their mature years display both an avid interest in natural health and the motivation to follow through with the advice offered. Viewer loyalty is very high, and has a soaring percentage of repeat viewers. Valerie engenders a great deal of trust with her listeners by virtue of her God given communication skills, training, testimonials, use of other professionals, and public personalities as guests that support each topic.

Our viewers are proactive about their health and purchases products they feel are vital to maintaining good health and well being. Since most natural health products are inexpensive, the majority of our audience can afford the naturopathic products reported on. Education is our highest priority, and we endeavor to present complex issues in a manner that everyone can understand. In line with this mission, Valerie Saxion makes available show notes and instructions discussed on each show, free of charge to the viewers.

Before receiving her Doctoral degree in Naturopathy, Valerie Saxion was active in research, formulation, and sales of nutriceutical products. Her training and experience along with her husbands assistance resulted in Valerie Saxion LLP, a premier vendor with over 90 innovative health products that cover a wide range of health maintenance modalities, including:

Anti-Aging, Beauty, Maintaining Normal Blood Pressure, Clear Thinking, Weight Loss, Heart Healthy, Chelation, Immune Boosters, Minor Pain Release, Cleansing and Digestion, Occasional Constipation, Increased Energy, Food Supplements, Minerals, Oxygen Supplements, Books, CD's and Audio and Video Tapes.

Many of these products are accompanied by amazing testimonials regarding their beneficial effect on general health, health maintenance, and well-being. "The quality of each is unparalleled. Before each one is manufactured, every ingredient is tested to confirm it is precisely what it is believed to be and that it is of the highest quality, guaranteed. Our products are fresh and meet the definition of natural medicine. "What a customer should expect; they'll get from us", she says. Valerie Saxion LLP is unique in the industry with a less than 2% return rate, and repeat buyers account for a high percentage of Total Health Lab's monthly sales.

You can view the Valerie Saxion Shop by clicking here!

You can shop other health and wellness items by clicking here!

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May God Richly Bless Your Life!

Casting Crowns

The year was 1999 and Christian youth leader Mark Hall, as a part of his youth ministry, started a small Christian Rock band. Ten years later Mark Hall is still the leader of the ever popular and perhaps most popular contemporary Christian recording group “Casting Crowns.” In 1999 the group began as an outreach in Daytona Beach, Florida. The groups popularity locally grew and it wasn’t long (2001) that they moved the group to McDonough, Georgia. Early on they released two albums and became extremely popular in the Atlanta area. It was brought to the attention of Mark Miller, the lead singer for the group Sawyer Brown.

Miller signed Casting Crowns to a contract and immediately took them to his studio along with contemporary Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman. The rest has been history. While some of the faces have changed over the past ten (10) years, the groups sound has not. In 2003 the group released their album entitled, “Casting Crowns.” It became a nationwide success. In 2005 “Lifesong” was released and shortly after their third “The Alter and the Door” in 2007. In November of this year Casting Crowns fourth studio album will be released, “Until the Whole World Hears.”

The Alter and the Door (as taken from Casting Crowns official website)

What is the distance between Sunday and Monday mornings?

The answer, for Casting Crowns' Mark Hall, became painfully clear during an afternoon of reading through the MySpace pages of the kids in his youth group. Prompted to go there by a student, Mark's heart sank as he read their messages to the world, truths about themselves that didn't gel with the truth they embraced at church.

It was in that place of disheartened discovery where The Altar and The Door—the third studio project from Grammy-winning band Casting Crowns—began to unfold.

"When we're at the altar, everything makes sense," Hall says. "We know what we're supposed to do. We know how we're supposed to live. Everything's black and white. But somewhere between the altar and the door, when we leave and go out into our lives, it all leaks out, and everything gets gray again. The Christian life is the journey between the altar and door, trying to get the things you've got in your head, into your hands, feet, into your life. The Altar and The Door is all about the journey. The realization on the journey, the struggles and the victory of seeing it as possible."

Co-produced once again by Mark Miller (Sawyer Brown), The Altar and The Door taps into the same 'real life, real faith' vein as the Casting Crowns' 2004 debut and 2006's Lifesong. The same 'all out on the table' honesty, achingly real lyrical depth and unforgettable melodies that have captivated audiences around the world. Only this time, Casting Crowns— the fastest selling, platinum-reaching Christian artist in history—has never been more progressive musically. And lyrically, Mark Hall has never been more intentional.

"Once we got into the recording," Hall says, "I knew we were in for something different, a more progressive approach to the music. These songs sounded different in my head; they've been a big challenge for us as a band. And the music definitely sets the tone for the whole project, but for me, it always comes back to the message. I always think lyrics first."

The biblical footing for The Altar and The Door can be traced back to Psalm 1, Hall says.
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on this law he meditates day and night…."

"The whole album funnels from this passage," Hall says. "Imagine the man in this verse totally breaking down, but just a little at a time. First he's walking, then standing, and eventually sitting, just slowly shutting down. He doesn't crash suddenly—there's no sudden crash in the Christian life. The 'crash' is just the fruit of a slow fade."

He continues, "If we find ourselves 'walking' in the counsel of the wicked, it's often supported by the things we're listening to, the things we're taking in, the things we're watching and clicking on. Sooner or later, what we choose to put into our lives affects us and starts coming out of our lives. Then we're not 'walking' anymore. Instead we become a walking contradiction. The way we live confuses the people around us, and that, to me, is how we find ourselves 'standing' in the way of sinners. If something doesn't change and we don't make a turn around, we're eventually 'sitting' in the seat of the scoffers. We find ourselves in the back row of the church watching everybody with their hands in the air, and thinking, 'Surely they don't have anything I don't have,' when in fact they do. And we don't even realize it, because the fade is so gradual."

The songs of The Altar and The Door strike a bold chord that the Christian life can and should be so much more than that. "When we have an ongoing, developing relationship with Jesus, life is not about me, my wants and my needs," Hall says. "It's about being the hands and feet of Jesus in other people's lives."

"Slow Fade," a surprise sonic feast (don't miss the flute!)—marks the regression that happens when Christians aren't living intentionally. "People don't crumble in a day. You don't fall, you fade," Hall explains. "In your mind, there's that pride that says 'I'd never do that'… but you don't just do it, it's a slow, series of compromises, little ones that go there eventually, until you're sitting in a place you'd never go, doing something you'd' never do… and yet the way you're living totally makes sense to you somehow because you're so numb."

"I know you've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west And I stand before you now as though I've never sinned…"

In "East To West," Hall tackles the all-too-familiar skepticism with which we humans embrace forgiveness. "We have a hard time with the concept of forgiveness," he says. "We cut ourselves and it heals, but the scar remains. Sometimes we think God treats sin like we would if we were God, and that he handles forgiveness like we would. We know he forgives, but we can't accept that God chooses to forget and relinquishes his right to avenge."

And "Somewhere in the Middle," the lyric that poured out after Hall's disheartening afternoon on MySpace, reveals the acclaimed songwriter's lament. "Seeing the antithesis of what was being proclaimed at church and what was really going on with my kids didn't make me angry or frustrated. It just made me hurt for them and how stuck out there they feel and how they don't know what else to do but to try to fit in."

Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more, that line between the altar and the door…

In all honesty, he says, "It wasn't just about them. The end result in that lyric is my own lament that I could have a greater friendship with God, but I don't…. It's the frustration of my own life. Why in the world do I have to force myself to spend time with God. If I had an everyday friendship with Jesus, I'd be a better encourager, I'd be a better forgiver, and I wouldn't be as selfish as I am. …God has blessed me with amazing self-awareness, a firm grasp of the obvious, but I don't always 'get' it." It's this kind of honest intentionality that is the core of The Altar and The Door, Casting Crowns' most daring project to date. A collection of songs that dare to mark the distance between Sunday and Monday mornings, between the content of our heads, the content of our hearts and the disconnect between in between.

Get "The Alter and the Door"

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May God Richly Bless Your Life!

Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer

Sometimes it’s good to get an “older” book out and read it again to see if it has the same impact today as it did when it was first read. This past week I pulled out Myles Munroe’s book, “Understanding the Power and Purpose of Prayer.” I’ve had this book for about five (5) years. As I scanned the pages prior to reading it, I found every page with different color markers used. I’ve now read the book three (3) times. Even after this third reading it has tremendous impact on me. I thought it important to share information about Myles Munroe and his book “Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer.” After you read the review and synopsis, I hope you will order the book for yourself.

Myles Munroe

Dr. Myles Munroe is the Founder, President, and Senior Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, an all-encompassing network of ministries headquartered in Nassau, Bahamas. He is a multi-gifted international motivational speaker, best selling author and business consultant addressing critical issues affecting every aspect of human, social and spiritual development.
Dr. Munroe's years of successful dedication and service to mankind stemmed from his personal vision of "Transforming followers into Leaders". The spiritual impact being made by him is evidenced by the demand for his books to be distributed in over 80 countries through the best seller distribution process. Pastor Myles' message is that all men are equal and every human being has a purpose and the potential to fulfill his God-given purpose in life. He has a passion for helping people in developing Third World countries to understand they are born with an awesome destiny and the ability to fulfill their God-given dreams. His teachings focus on the historical mental damage that has affected millions of people who have been oppressed or displaced as a result of colonial powers, slave trades or other negative historical experiences that had negative impacts on their social adjustments.In 1999, Pastor Myles received approximately 600 invitations to speak in 55 nations. The message the people want to hear is: "Everyone is born for a God-given purpose and potential to fulfill that purpose." He speaks the same message that Jesus preached concerning the Kingdom of God which says we should discover His reason for our existence and learn how to maximize our lives while inspiring future generations. Pastor Myles has come along and brought a spiritual transformation with an approach that is relevant and necessary for national, social, political and cultural development. It is especially relevant and necessary for leadership development in every aspect of developing countries. His approach in sharing the principles and precepts of Christ is in a manner that is contemporary and relevant to every human being. He is uniquely gifted in being able to help the Christian Believer adapt to every environment without having to adopt the negative principles of that environment.


Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer
From the Back Cover

"You're in our prayers" has become a cliché, just a nice thing to say when we see someone struggling. But do we really understand the power of prayer?

God, God Almighty, God the Creator of the heavens and the earth, God the Beginning and the End, God the Source of all that is, God the Creator of man--the same God, in all His power and all His majesty, stops and listens when you pray. God has given mankind earthly license for heavenly interference.

Whether you know it or not, you have the authority to change the world through prayer. When God said, "Let man rule over all the earth," He was arranging the dominion of the world so that the partnership of man was essential for the accomplishment of His purposes. He causes things to happen on earth when men and women are in agreement with His will. Prayer is essential for God's will to be done on earth.

Through his unique perspective on this often-misunderstood subject, best-selling author Dr. Myles Munroe takes the mystery out of prayer, providing practical answers for difficult questions about communicating with God.

All that God is--and all that God has--may be received through prayer. Everything you need to fulfill your purpose on earth is available to you through prayer.

The biblically-based, time-tested principles in this book will ignite and transform the way you pray. Be prepared to enter into a new dimension of faith, a deeper revelation of God's love, and a renewed understanding that your prayers can truly move the hand of God.

You can obtain a copy of this life changing book by clicking here!

See other books by Dr. Myles Munroe by clicking here!

Please visit Emmaus Road Christian Store at http://www.emmaus-road.com/

May God Richly Bless Your Life!

Quest Study Bible

As a school administrator (public school) I am in contact with students on a daily basis. With my high school students the one Bible they ask me most about and the one they order the most is the Quest Study Bible published by Zondervan. When I ask them why they like the Quest Study Bible so much they all give a slightly different answer. It is so good seeing all of these young adults digging into the Word of God. With this said, I went to Zondervan’s webpage and found information on the Quest Study Bible. They don’t give a whole lot of detail but I think you’ll get the point.

Featuring over 7,000 sidebar notes, nearly 350 articles by top scholars, an article index and expanded subject index, concordance, dictionary, a 16-page full-color map section, and a 7-page full-color timeline section … the Quest Study Bible has clarified the meaning of the Scriptures for countless people—and it will do the same for you.

Description: "With over one million copies sold, the Quest Study Bible is designed for inquisitive readers who desire solid answers to their many questions. With thousands of notes and hundreds of articles by top evangelical scholars, this unique Bible addresses the common, uncommon, and perplexing questions people ask about Scripture. Passages that puzzle will snap into clarity as readers explore God’s Word and use the many study helps.

Features include:
• Over 7,000 sidebar notes that clarify the Bible’s most puzzling passages
• Nearly 350 articles by top scholars that address the most popular and provocative questions asked by Christians and non-Christians alike
• Article index and expanded subject index that help readers quickly find the answers they’re looking for
• Single-column Scripture text format
• Color-keyed verse numbers that supply instant reference to articles and sidebar notes
• Book introductions that identify themes, characters, and events in each Bible book
• Over 150 two-color in-text charts, timelines, and maps providing background information readers need to understand different passages
• Concordance, dictionary, 16-page full-color map section, 7-page full-color timeline section, and reading plans to assist readers’ studies of the Bible"

To consider the Quest Study Bible, click here!

To view a complete line of Quest Study Bibles (different bindings), click here!

To view all available Bible, click here!

To visit Emmaus Road Christian Store, go to http://www.emmaus-road.com/

May God Richly Bless Your Life!

Homeschooling with Saxon!

Saxon Publishers

This week I will provide information about what I consider to be the absolute greatest mathematics program in the country. I came across Saxon Math approximately five years ago when my store started carrying homeschool curriculum. This forced me into learning about the products and the companies. In researching mathematics I came across Saxon. It a nutshell I can only say WOW! It is phenomenal. I must say this however, with reservation. It is not a homeschool mathematics curriculum for those parents who want to take the easy way out. Using Saxon Math takes time and dedication on the part of the teacher. The end result of this is a student with exceptional math skills. With that said, below you will find information about Saxon. I hope that you will find it useful and beneficial.

About Saxon

Saxon Math is the nation's best selling and most thoroughly researched skills-based mathematics program for grades K-12. Saxon's unique pedagogical approach, based on instruction, practice and assessment distributed across the grade level, incorporates 20 years of research and classroom experience. This same successful, classroom-tested approach is also applied to the popular Saxon Phonics and Spelling K-3, Phonics Intervention for older, struggling readers and early learning programs.

Saxon Publishers, founded in 1981, is an imprint of Harcourt Achieve. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Harcourt Achieve provides customer-driven educational materials that fundamentally and positively change the lives of young, adolescent, and adult learners and empower those who teach them. The company is also the publisher of the Rigby and Steck-Vaughn product lines.


Saxon Works!

'Saxon Works!' is a phrase that is heard consistently in Saxon classrooms across the country. Saxon products and programs have a proven record of success in every type of setting - urban, suburban, rural, public, private, charter and parochial. The success of Saxon programs can be attributed to the program's unique, effective and research-based pedagogy, which helps students develop a deeper understanding of concepts and how to apply them. Saxon's innovative instructional approach breaks complex concepts into related increments, recognizing that smaller pieces of information are easier to teach and easier to learn. The instruction, practice and assessment of those increments are systematically distributed across a grade level. This distributed approach ensures that students gain and retain critical thinking skills.
Research and Results Prove It

The more stringent accountability created by the No Child Left Behind act has prompted teachers and administrators to look for programs and products that have a history of documented results.

While research may be the new educational initiative, it is not new to Saxon. Our consistent instructional approach, proven effective since its inception, is supported by scientifically based research.

Test scores and success stories gathered from Saxon schools around the country are reported annually in the Saxon Report Card. It sets the standard for recognizing schools for their outstanding academic achievement with Saxon's research-based programs. These schools represent Saxon's rapidly expanding base of users who are dedicated to seeing its use in classrooms grow. Their zeal for Saxon is more than an affinity for a product. Saxon supporters are a family - a community that has seen the tremendous advantages of the Saxon learning approach. Ask one and they'll tell you . Saxon Works!


Saxon History

The founder, John Saxon, was teaching algebra at a junior college in Oklahoma when he discovered that his students were neither comprehending nor retaining the algebra they were being taught. What started as writing out some problems for his class became a highly successful algebra program. In 1979, Saxon Algebra was published in two texts for the junior college level. He continued to write and adapt his work into a text for high school algebra students and enlisted several high school teachers to try his manuscript with their students. They too were successful using the program.

In October 1980 his Algebra 1 book for high school became a reality. In 1981, Saxon recruited twenty teachers to try his method of teaching. Approximately 1400 students were involved in the test. At the end of the school term, Saxon students were able to solve 2.6 problems for every one problem solved by students in regular classes.

By 1986, when the company changed its name to Saxon Publishers, Inc., four books were available: Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Algebra 1/2, and Advanced Mathematics. By 1993 the company had published thirteen books and programs for students in kindergarten through high school, including a calculus and physics text. In 1996 Phonics K-2 was introduced to schools throughout the country; followed in 1999 by Phonics Intervention, a program designed especially for older non-readers.

The Saxon approach to marketing is quite unique in the industry. The sales force is made up of former teachers, most of whom have taught Saxon programs in their classrooms before joining the company as sales representatives. School districts in all fifty states, and also several foreign countries, use Saxon texts.


Saxon Today

Today Saxon Publishers is an imprint of Harcourt Achieve. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Harcourt Achieve provides customer-driven educational materials that fundamentally and positively change the lives of young, adolescent, and adult learners and empower those who teach them. The company is also the publisher of the Rigby and Steck-Vaughn product lines.


To see a complete line of Saxon Publisher products, click here!

To see a complete line of homeschool products including Saxon, click here!

I also ask that you lend support to Emmaus Road Christian Store by visiting them at: http://www.emmaus-road.com/

May God Richly Bless Your Life!

Pride, Pride, Pride, Is It All That Bad?

Pride

How many times do you look at others and say they are prideful? How often do you look at others and compare yourself with “their pride?” Instead of looking at others and being judgmental, look rather to yourself, look in the mirror and ask yourself, “am I prideful am I haughty, am I arrogant?” God has given us the scriptures to examine to help us along the way. Perhaps God’s Word can give us the information we need.


Daniel 5

This is the story of Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar who was very prideful of “his” accomplishments. He gave no honor to God who is the true God and thus God took the throne away from him. Belshazzar was giving a great feast for all the nobles of the land. He dishonored God by his actions. His pride cost him more than his kingdom, that very night it cost him his life.

You can read of another similar account in 2 Chronicles 26 where King Uzziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. King Uzziah took care of the people, built cities, created a great army, but then he became prideful. His pride, the scripture says, led to his downfall. He did that which was unlawful. He entered the temple and burned incense which only the priests could do. As a result of his pride, leprosy broke out on his forehead that remained for the rest of his life. He no longer lived in the palace but in a separate house, isolated until the day he died.

You can read in Proverbs 6:16-19 that there are seven things the Lord detests and the first one listed is “Pride.” Why does God detest “Pride?” Because it says to others that, “I am better than you are.” (My baseball team is better, my company is better; my home is nicer, etc.) You look down on people because they have not accomplished what you’ve accomplished, or so you think. Pride occurs when you want to glorify yourself and your accomplishments. Pride says to God, “I don’t need you; I can do it on my own.” Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the same status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependency on Him. Pride says to God, “I am going to contend with you for supremacy.” Contend with God for supremacy? You are probably saying that you would never do that. Won’t you? What makes you so sure? Are you prideful of the fact that you are not prideful?

You can read in Ezekiel 28 where God calls Lucifer the model of perfection and in Isaiah 14 he is called the “Morning star, son of the dawn.” Lucifer wanted to contend for supremacy with God and we know that God was quick to respond. Because no sin is permitted in heaven, Lucifer was cast out, he and all the angels who became prideful with him. On your own, are you more powerful than Lucifer?

After Lucifer fell he was given a new name, Satan (Adversary of God). He is opposed to God. He is trying to deceive you and bring you down to his level. You’ve heard the saying, “misery loves company?” That’s Satan. He wants you with him. He will do whatever he can to bring you down. He started at the very beginning with Adam and Eve. In Genesis 3 we read where the Serpent deceived Eve. He honed in on the one thing that brought him down… Pride. “You can be just like God, you can be as smart as Him, as wise as Him, and you can live forever.” He of course lied to Eve but it was her Pride, her desire to be “just like God” that brought her down.

What about Job? Surely not Job! Didn’t God say that Job was blameless and upright? We read in Job 32:2 that Elihu became very angry with Job because he was justifying himself rather than God. Job’s sin was Pride.

Proverbs 16:18 says that Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before the fall. This can be on an individual basis or a corporate basis. It can happen in a local community or on a national scale. It can happen in a small church or a mega church. When pride enters in, be sure of this, destruction is coming, the fall is just around the corner. You can read in Isaiah 3 how the women of Zion were haughty, thinking themselves to be better than others, always looking down at people. It said that their necks were stretched out (kind of like having your nose in the air), they were flirting with their eyes, taking dainty steps, and covered with jewelry. They were snobbish. God doesn’t want his people to be prideful. He loves you to much to leave you there. He will do whatever it takes to bring you back to humility. For the women of Zion, this meant that God would give the women baldness with scabs on their heads. This meant God would cause them to loose all of their fine jewelry and beautiful clothing. This meant that God would actually make them stink. It says that God would replace their beauty with shame.

Both the Apostle Peter and James the brother of Jesus said that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Friend, you must examine yourself and ask God to reveal to you the areas of your life whereby you are prideful. You must repent of your sin of pride and ask God for humility. We must have the humility of Jesus himself. Philippians 2:5 says your “attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus: who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus showed His humility in many ways. Jesus, a king, rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Jesus exemplified humility by washing the feet of his disciples; Jesus left his throne in heaven to save us.

Most often, pride is revealed in your attitudes and interactions with others. Instead of desiring to be the best you can be, pride causes us to focus solely on being "better" than someone else. A prideful person wants to be the center-of-attention at all times, constantly referring to him or herself. A prideful person can't handle criticism and hates handing out apologies; A prideful person can't stand to see others succeed, and refuses to do "menial tasks." If Jesus was willing to wash the feet of His disciples, then is there anything that you can rightfully refuse to do?

When all else fails, God may allow adversity into our lives. Nothing gets our attention better than going through a difficult time. He allows these experiences in order to filter out pride, causing us to return our focus on Him. As much as our prideful spirit may disagree, we cannot live a fulfilling life without God. Simply put, when God is out, pride is in.

Here are some characteristics of pride to be on the lookout for:
• Prayerlessness. If you have no prayer life, take time to evaluate your relationship with the Lord. It takes humility of heart to pray and admit you can't make it on your own.
• The fear of man. Pride thrives on man's approval. But you will never please man - and even if you could, he is not the one you ought to be living for. It is God you must please.
• The inability to receive from others. Most of us love to give gifts, but receiving them can be a humbling experience.
• Judging others. You say, Oh, I would never do that! In saying that, you exalt yourself and your supposed resistance to sin. Matt. 7:1 warns, Judge not, that you be not judged.
• Good works. You may think highly of yourself for all the work you do in the church. Must you blow a trumpet to announce your dedication, or do you work joyfully and silently unto the Lord?
• Not waiting on God. It demonstrates an independence from God's timing; a rebellious heart and a desire to do things your own way. Many times you are on the brink of a miracle, but forfeit it because you give up on God or take control of the situation in an attempt to help God out.
• Contention. Only by pride cometh contention, but with the well advised is wisdom (Prov. 13:10). Contention arises when someone is not willing to back down from a confrontation. Take a look at your home, your church, your work, your ministry. Is there contention anywhere?

Repent of your pride. Ask God to make you humble, no matter what it takes.
There are several resources available to you.

Take a look at B.J Smith’s book, “Don’t Swallow Your Pride…Spit it Out”

Look at the booklet, “The Seven Capital Sins: Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth”

Other resources relating to pride can be found by clicking here!

Please visit Emmaus Road Christian Store at http://www.emmaus-road.com

May God Richly Bless Your Life!

DaySpring Inspirational Gifts and Cards

DaySpring Gifts and Cards

DaySpring Cards was born in a small commercial print shop in Covina, California, in 1971. The company was founded by four Christian men — Dean Kerns, Don Leetch, Russ Flint, and Roy Lessin. These men started DaySpring with a common vision, to make Christ known through the printed message.

The first greeting Card was created in the winter of that year. It was a Christmas card with a very simple but direct message. The cover of the card showed a man sitting near a Christmas tree after the gifts had been opened. There was a look of despair on his face. The cover read, “When you get right down to it...”; the inside of the card read, “...the only thing that really matters is Jesus.”

When the card was sent out, store owners and their customers responded enthusiastically. That card served as a messenger to make DaySpring aware of the great need for development of Christian cards. Additional cards for Christmas and other occasions were soon developed, and the tag line When You Want to Share Your Heart and God’s Love was written to express DaySpring’s mission.

The company remained in California for eight years, and experienced great growth and acceptance within the Christian publishing industry. In 1979, through direction from the Lord, DaySpring moved to the city of Siloam Springs in northwest Arkansas. The company purchased land and built its plant in a beautiful country setting near the Illinois River. Only 30 employees made the move to Arkansas to begin this new adventure.

Shortly after the move, DaySpring made a major directional change, becoming a full-service greeting card company to Christian bookstores. Selling footage instead of individual cards launched the company into a new phase of growth and expansion. Within a few years the staff multiplied tenfold. New buildings were constructed, and DaySpring was on its way to becoming the largest publisher and distributor of Christian greeting cards in the world.

In 1987, DaySpring formed a partnership with David C. Cook Publishing Company and became a wholly owned division of Cook Communications Ministries. DaySpring acquired Personal Expressions and the Sunshine® boxed card line from Warner Press in 1997.

In 1999, DaySpring was acquired by Hallmark Cards, Inc. from Cook Communications. A press release from Hallmark Cards contains details about the purchase and the exciting partnership between DaySpring and Hallmark.

In 2006, DaySpring founded Blessings Unlimited, a home party company offering Christian and inspirational products for sale by independent consultants. The company is made up of Christian entrepreneurs across the U.S. running their own ministry-based business.


FACTS & FIGURES

DaySpring is a leading manufacturer and distributor of Christian greeting cards and other personal expression products and gifts. DaySpring products are sold in Christian retailers, card and gift stores, and other outlets in the United States and 60 foreign countries. Based in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, DaySpring has a staff of over 325 employees. In 1999, the company was acquired by Hallmark. DaySpring offers more than 7,000 products each year and touches more than 850 million people in a year. The company has changed many times throughout the years, but the purpose and vision remains the same — to make Christ known.


MISSION STATEMENT

To know God, to demonstrate His kingdom, and to help people throughout the world know and share His love by providing Christians with tools of communication that express God's heart in fresh new ways.


THE NAME

DaySpring is a name given in Scripture to Jesus Christ. Luke records the prophetic song of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, on the occasion of John’s birth. The Holy Spirit showed Zechariah that John would prepare the people for salvation through forgiveness of sins by the coming Messiah, and that God’s mercy on His people would bring this about. The Holy Spirit also showed Zechariah that “the dayspring from on high” (Luke 1:78 KJV) was to come and “give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). Our intent at DaySpring Cards is to spread the light from that sunrise by creating products that honor and reflect His name, His character, His nature, His kindness, and His love.

To view a complete line of DaySpring Inspirational Gifts, Click here!

To view DaySpring Products including Inspirational Gifts and Cards, Click here!

To visit a complete line of Christian products, visit Emmaus Road Christian Store at: http://www.emmaus-road.com

May God Richly Bless Your Life!

Russ Lee, "Pictures on Mantles"

It was a Thursday afternoon a couple of years ago and I was working the register in our brick and mortar store, Emmaus Road Christian Store. A very distinguished lady came in and in the course of our conversation she told me that her husband is a contemporary Christian recording artist. Our store is located in a rural area of western Maryland and it is not everyday someone comes into the store with that type of message. Curiosity made me ask who her husband was. She said his name is Russ Lee. I hate to say this but I had to confess to her that I wasn’t familiar with him. She said that was o.k. but that she would bring him in over the next couple of days to introduce him to me. I thought that would be great but didn’t really expect it. On Saturday morning she did bring her husband in. We visited for about two hours. I apologized for not having any of his music on the shelf but he understood. What a gentleman. He told me the next time they were in our area he would bring his guitar in a give a small concert.

About two weeks later I was going through some demo CD’s that one of our distributors sent us about two months earlier and it was none other that Russ Lee’s. I immediately took it and played it. Every song that played I told my wife, “I know that one!” Sometimes we know the song but not the recording artist. I felt bad because I didn’t recognize him but he understood. Anyway, after I listened to the CD, I ordered several and it wasn’t long until they were sold. I don’t know how many we’ve sold over the years but it has been a lot.

Thinking back on that day and remembering Russ Lee and his wife, I thought I would write about him. Much of the information written below can be found at his personal website, Russ Lee. Please visit his site.

“I want to fulfill this calling that drives the longing in my heart to do something that matters for the glory of God,” Russ Lee explains.With the release of his latest recording, the retrospective Pictures on Mantles: The Best of Russ Lee, this husband and father of three, ordained minister, acclaimed singer/songwriter and new record company president is getting one step closer to that destiny. A striking contrast to the drug dealer lost in a wilderness of rebellion during his youth; today Russ is a living testament to God’s grace and mercy. He’s a man on a mission to share that Hope with the world.Featured on more than 10 #1 hit singles over the years-including songs recorded during tenures with two of Christian music’s best-loved groups, NewSong and Truth-Russ’ distinct, soulful voice is instantly recognizable on Christian radio stations everywhere. Pictures on Mantles captures the best of the Dove Award-nominee and honored songwriter’s career to date. Featuring Russ’ Top 5 hits, “Live What I Believe” and “I Smile,” from his 2000 solo debut, Words In Time (Sparrow), the collection also includes several career-spanning signature songs.Alongside two of NewSong’s biggest hits, “Love Revolution” and ”Miracles,” both of which showcase Russ on lead vocals; Pictures on Mantles offers an updated version of “Living Life Upside Down,” a song Russ originally recorded with Truth in 1991. “That song has such a timeless message and it becomes more and more relevant as the years go on,” Russ says of his decision to re-record the hit single. “There’s a whole new generation of Christian music listeners who need to hear that message.”Russ also includes a new, more organic rendition of NewSong’s “Can’t Keep A Good Man Down.” He explains: “I wanted to re-approach this one because we took it in a different musical direction with NewSong than I had initially envisioned performing it when I co-wrote it.”Pictures on Mantles contains the new compositions “Faithful Love” and “Sweetest Sound,” both co-written by Russ and respected songwriter and friend James Isaac Elliott, as well as the gripping title-track, written by Weston Harvey, Scott Lynch and John Barner, which is also featured on Russ’ 2004 Christmas release, Hear Those Bells. The song drives home the importance of family and the legacy we leave for others. “The first time I heard it, it absolutely knocked me down with impact, and I thought, ’everybody needs to hear this truth,’” relates Russ. “Our family is a gift from God, and our history and our heritage is what makes us who we are. This song reminds us of that in a powerful way.”Both the greatest hits collection and the Christmas recording are the debut releases from Vertical Vibe Records, Russ’ newly formed company. Yet another milepost along his Christian music journey, as the label’s president, Russ hopes this endeavor will be a vehicle by which the heart of God is shown and ministry is fostered.And ministry is what Russ is all about. Those who have heard his powerful testimony of searching for satisfaction in money and drugs until Christ ultimately transformed him know that his life’s calling is unquestionably purpose-driven.Also an ordained minister, Russ feels that this vocation helps keep him accountable in his music ministry. “My ordination is a stamp of commitment from me to say, ’I’m answering a call that I know is there; I need to answer it with my whole heart, and I’m going to do that,” Russ states. “But it’s also a statement of commitment from my friends and peers that they will hold me accountable, pray for me, support me, and that they’re welcoming me as a viable minister.”Two life-changing ministry opportunities for Russ were his trips to Iraq in November of 2003 and 2004 to visit and present concerts for soldiers from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, near Nashville. The experience reminded Russ of the great cost of freedom, both in a material and a spiritual sense. “When people are shedding blood and giving their life for the sake of someone else’s opportunity, you can’t help but parallel that with what Jesus Christ did for all of humanity,” he relates. “It was like getting a wake up call that I didn’t know I needed. It just reminded me of what’s important, and it reaffirmed and reassured me that living what you believe, even if it costs you everything, is important.”Above all else in this life, Russ focuses on making his wife, Mary, son Casey, and daughters Addy and Ana his top priority. “It doesn’t seem like success to me if the whole world loves you, but the people who love you the most don’t know who you are,” Russ says. “My kids are a beautiful gift from God, and my wife is an awesome gift and friend and my greatest supporter on this earth. To exclude them from the process would be my loss. I want to make sure that I keep building my relationship with my family and that I don’t miss out on any part of their development. I want to meet their needs and serve my family well. I live by the statement an old missionary said: 'the light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home.’”The Lee family is faithfully committed to their home church, New Vision Baptist in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Russ and Mary coordinate the JV program (a ministry for junior high and high school students), he pitches in with the AWANA clubs for children that Mary oversees, and Russ also helps organize an annual father/son camp-out. This 110% effort could easily be compromised by Russ’ hectic touring schedule, but he doesn’t underestimate for a single moment just how important it is to be plugged-in to his church family.“The Great Commission was given to the Body of Christ, and the agent of the Great Commission is the local church and the individual believer,” Russ says directly. “He called us to have a support team around us, which is the local church. It’s so important to make a contribution to the people you’re expecting to make a contribution to you.”When he’s not on the road, Russ is hard at work on the homefront. Whether it’s a morning walk around the neighborhood with Mary, helping with the kids’ homeschooling projects, a songwriting or recording session, spending some time in the Vertical Vibe Records office, or leading an AWANA meeting at church, Russ is driven each day to leave a legacy for his family while glorifying God through his ministry.“I think God’s working on a tapestry or a picture that my life is supposed to be, and I believe it’s supposed to reflect His glory,” Russ concludes. “I know I’m not a perfect picture yet, but I feel like if I allow God to work on me and through me that one day I’ll be able to stand before Him and hear Him say, 'well done’. That’s my goal-whether it’s running a record label, writing songs, being a Dad, hanging out with kids, or traveling to Iraq-whatever I do, I want it to help finish this picture.”

You can order Russ Lee's Pictures on Mantles at Emmaus Road Christian Store

You can view other Christian music also at Emmaus Road Christian Store by clicking here!

Please visit Emmaus Road Christian Store at http://www.emmaus-road.com

May God Richly Bless Your Life!

Archaeological Study Bible

AN ILLUSTRATED WALK THROUGH BIBLICAL HISTORY AND CULTURE

To engage the Bible more, you need to enter the world from which it came. From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, The Archaeological Study Bible is filled with study material that opens your eyes to the archaeological, historical, and cultural contexts of the stories you read and the people you meet in Scripture.

Take a journey back to the lands and origins of the Bible for an unparalleled encounter with the Word of God. Get insights into the roots of the Bible that will strengthen your faith and open new vistas of knowledge and understanding. Like no other study Bible, this one provides a sweeping, detailed look at the lands and times of Scripture, bringing to light the importance of ancient civilizations, practices, historical records and artifacts, literature, architecture, religions, laws, events, movements, geography, agriculture, wars and battles, political and monetary systems, historical figures and other factors that are critical to a deep and accurate grasp of the Bible.

• A comprehensive study tool that highlights the archaeological, historical, and cultural background of the Bible.
  
• Full-color interior throughout, including nearly 500 color photographs
  
• Emphasizes the trustworthiness of the Bible and in the bestselling NIV translation

The Archaeological Study Bible not only gives you the complete text of the Bible, but takes you into its very world, opening your eyes to the historical, cultural, and archaeological meaning, relevance, and depth of the Scriptures. Page by page, the features of this unique study Bible offer astonishing and unprecedented clarity.

New International Version (NIV)–today’s most read, most trusted translation – gives you an accuracy and ease of understanding you can count on from Genesis to Revelation.

Full-color interior throughout, a new innovation in a complete study Bible.

Over 8,000 concise, bottom-of-the-page study notes offer insights into the text as you read it from the standpoint of its relationship to the times, places and circumstances in which it was written. The study notes add further explanation to passages that speak on archaeological or cultural facts included in the Scripture.

Over 500 articles shed light on ancient creation narratives, the possible location of Eden, cuneiform writings a Ebla, the naming of children, Greek and Roman culture, and scores of other fascinating topics. The articles include the following five categories:

Archaeological Sites (such as; Hazor, Ugarit, Arad, Ephesus).

Cultural and Historical Notes (ancient seals and scarabs, perfume and anointing, the missionary journeys of Paul).

Ancient Peoples and Lands (the Persian empire, the history of Egypt).

The Reliability of the Bible (the question of the Psalm superscripts, the reliability of Judges, the ending of Mark).

Ancient Texts and Artifacts (the Mesha Stone, the Prayer of Confession).

500 full-color photographs interspersed within articles throughout highlight millennia-old texts and artifacts, ancient weapons of war, ancient children's toys, archaeological sites in the region, other memorabilia of ancient near eastern cultures and civilizations, and a host of other amazing historical, cultural, and archaeological details.

Detailed book introductions that provide basic, at-a-glance timelines, outlines, and information.

Detailed charts on pertinent topics.

In-text color maps that assist the reader in placing the action.

16 Page Satellite-Generated Color Map Section
Concordance.
Cross-references.
Subject and feature indexes.
Words of Christ in red. 9-point type.

To view information of the Archaeological Study Bible, click here!

To view a complete line of Archaeological Study Bibles, click here!

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May God Richly Bless Your Life!

Beverly Lewis, Seasons of Grace Series

Beverly Marie Jones (Lewis) was born in the heart of Amish country Lancaster, Pennsylvania. At the tender age of nine, she began writing short stories and poetry. Prior to that, she made up lyrics to the "little fingers" piano pieces she learned, at the age of five.

Not until her own children were well into middle school did Bev seek to publish her work, first in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Dolphin Log, and Guideposts for Kids. Her first book followed in 1993—Mountain Bikes and Garbanzo Beans—presently retitled Big Bad Beans (book #22 in the popular Cul-de-Sac Kids series of chapter books—see list of Bev's children's books).

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Bev's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and playing with their three grandchildren. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."

The Secret, Seasons of Grace Series #1

In the seemingly ordinary Amish home of Grace Byler, secrets abound. Why does her mother weep in the night? Why does her father refuse to admit something is dreadfully wrong? Then, in one startling moment, everything Grace assumed she knew is shattered. Her mother's disappearance leaves Grace reeling and unable to keep her betrothal promise to her long-time beau. Left to pick up the pieces of her life, Grace questions all she has been taught about love, family, and commitment.

Heather Nelson is an English grad student, stunned by a doctor's diagnosis. Surely fate would not allow her father to lose his only daughter after the death of his wife a few years before. In denial and telling no one she is terminally ill, Heather travels to Lancaster County--the last place she and her mother had visited together. Will Heather find healing for body and spirit?
As the lives of four wounded souls begin to weave together like an Amish patchwork quilt, they each discover missing pieces of their life puzzles--and glimpse the merciful and loving hand of God.

The Missing, Seasons of Grace Series #2

Twenty-one-year-old Grace Byler longs to find her missing mother and to uncover the secret that drove her to leave them three weeks before. Grace suspects the reason has to do with her father and his reserved, uncommunicative ways. This conviction led Grace to break off her betrothal to her quiet, staid beau, and she is now resigned to remain single. But when the young Amishman she thought was courting her best friend takes a sudden interest in her, Grace is befuddled and wonders if he can be trusted. "Englisher" Heather Lang has come to Amish country to relive fond memories of her mother and to contemplate a grave medical prognosis of her own. While in Bird-in-Hand, Heather meets Grace Byler and the two young women strike up a fast friendship, amazed by how well they click. Following the only clue they have, Grace and Heather travel together in hopes of finding Grace's mother and bringing her home. Will they find what they're looking for...or something much more?

To view Bev's book, "The Secret" click here!

To view Bev's book, "The Missing" click here!

To view a complete line of Beverly Lewis's books, click here!

To view a complete line of Christian products at Emmaus Road Christian Store, http://www.emmaus-road.com click here!

Homeschooling with Alpha Omega Publishing

Since 1977, Alpha Omega Publications has been a leader in the Christian education movement. For over 30 years, Alpha Omega Publications has been developing innovative Christian curricula and providing outstanding service and support. Founded by curriculum developers and writers, Alpha Omega Publications was born from a vision to provide homeschooling families, Christian schools, and book distributors with exceptional educational products and resources. Our vision grew and transformed into a winning formula for educational success and our customer base quickly began to grow.

In 1977, AOP started with a single-product called LIFEPAC, a comprehensive worktext curriculum, which was designed to meet the diverse needs of students, parents, and Christian schools. From this beginning, AOP expanded its curriculum brands by creating Horizons, Switched-On Schoolhouse, purchasing the Weaver Curriculum. Alpha Omega Publications' curriculum has won many awards including the prestigious Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum for Switched-On Schoolhouse and Horizons Math. Today, AOP not only carries the above curriculum brands, it also provides numerous resources and services. Alpha Omega Institute, a distance learning program, was launched in 1992. Today called Alpha Omega Academy, it uses AOP curriculum to teach thousands of enrolled students from all 50 states and over 30 international countries.

Since its beginning, Alpha Omega Publications has been located in Chandler, Arizona. To better serve customers and because of continued growth, AOP moved its distribution center, customer service, and technical support team to Rock Rapids, Iowa in late 2004. The move of Alpha Omega Publications corporate offices to Iowa soon followed in 2005. Today, AOP employs over 150 personnel and has locations both in Chandler, Arizona and in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

LIFEPAC is a full-color, consumable worktext homeschool curriculum with Bible-based content for grades K-12. Designed by a team of accomplished educators with years of classroom experience, LIFEPAC is based on the principle of mastery learning. Students master content in each unit worktext before progressing to the next. Ten LIFEPAC worktexts provide one full year of learning content per grade level; individual worktexts can also be used as supplemental material. In addition, you can mix and match subjects or grade level worktexts to personalize your student's curriculum content. Individual worktexts take approximately 3 to 4 weeks to complete.

Your child will love this motivating homeschool curriculum which will gives a sense of accomplishment as each worktext is completed. LIFEPAC worktexts include engaging lessons, activities, review questions, and tests. This best-selling homeschool curriculum offers five core subjects and a wide variety of electives. Scripture passages are integrated throughout worktexts to help students connect daily learning to biblical truth. Independent projects and activities help stimulate creativity and reinforce concepts. Parents can easily track progress with self-tests and teacher checkpoints.

Horizons is a brightly illustrated, engaging workbook curriculum filled with consumable lessons and hands-on activities. Designed with fast-paced lessons, Horizons uses a spiral learning method to help your student master concepts through the process of introduction, review, and reinforcement. This learning method allows students to quickly grasp difficult concepts in a colorful, motivating format. Available in grades PreK-12, Horizons has a precise curriculum structure and six core subjects, plus the preschool course.

A best-seller, Horizons is a well-known for its captivating content, appealing activities, and solid results. Your student will love encouraging workbooks with removable pages; parents will love easy-to-use teacher's guides with must-have daily planners, lesson schedules, and clear objectives. This award-winning homeschool curriculum is based on the Bible and integrates scripture and Christian living into all subjects. Perfect for hands-on learning, Horizons is a winning combination of fun, entertainment, and academic success.

The Weaver Curriculum is a unique unit-based, Bible-centered homeschool curriculum. For grades PreK-12th, this family-based curriculum uses the same daily Bible theme as a foundation and then creates lessons for each student. Your students are then studying the same main subject the same time with individual lesson assignment geared to each student's grade level. For example if you were teaching about the plagues of Egypt, your student would learn about frogs in science, Egyptian topography in geography, pharaohs in history, and so forth. Using this one-room schoolhouse type teaching, students are able to glean information from each other.

Sound like fun? It is. In this hands-on, activity-based curriculum, lessons include experiments, maps, murals, timelines, models, field trips, and more! The Weaver Curriculum is as flexible as it is fun. Parents can decide what topics to teach and what activities to do. Divided into volumes and supplemental volumes, this creative curriculum uses binders to organize student lessons by grade level. Multiple subjects are included within each volume and woven into lessons, unlike separated subject focuses like other curriculums. Subjects covered are Bible, Social Studies, Science, Geography and History, Language Arts, Health, and Art.

Switched-On Schoolhouse is a comprehensive, Bible-based curriculum that offers computer-based learning for grades 3-12. With 3-D animation, video clips, and other fascinating multimedia, Switched-On Schoolhouse is the perfect homeschool curriculum for today's generation. With this flexible, best-selling curriculum, you can customize student learning to fit individual educational needs.

Unlike traditional textbook curriculums with dry, one-dimensional lessons, Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) has a diverse, vibrant mix of entertaining lessons, assignments quizzes, and more! Fun-filled lessons are created to captivate students' attention and engage them in learning. Available for grades 3-12, Switched-On Schoolhouse offers five core subjects and a wide variety of electives. With features that enhance content and functionality, this award-winning curriculum offers ease, accuracy, and quality academics.

To view a complete line of Alpha Omaga material please click here! (They are on sale)

To view a complete line of LIFEPAC Curriculum please click here! (They are on sale)

To view a complete line of Horizons Curriculum please click here! (They are on sale)

To view a complete line of Weaver Curriculum please click here! (They are on sale)

To view a complete line of Switched-on Schoolhouse Curriculum please click here! (They are on sale)

To see other homeschool products, please click here! (Did I mention they are all on sale)?

Visit Emmaus Road Christian Store @ http://www.emmaus-road.com/

May God Richly Bless Your Life!

Fasting

It is one of those “things” we would rather forget about. It takes us out of our comfort zone. The average person can only go three hours before hunger pangs take over and we just have to have something to eat or we will surely die. I’m sure Esau wasn’t dying when he begged Jacob for the stew but he willing to give up his birthright.

Typically and traditionally people think of fasting as abstaining from the consumption of food for a period of time. While this is true, fasting is much more than that. Fasting can be giving up something for a period of time that your body craves or needs. Many people are able to go for days without something to eat and it means nothing to them. Ask them to give up their cell phone for a day or two and see what happens. But for simplicity sake, let’s just say for now that fasting is abstaining from the consumption of food for a period of time.

When you read the Old Testament you will find that the Jews were only required to fast once a year and that was on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:31), the day man is reconciled back to God. There were however, other times that people were either called on to fast or chose to fast. People would fast during times of mourning. David and his men fasted when they heard or the death of King Saul (2 Sam. 1:12). David also fasted for several days because his son became critically ill (2 Sam. 12:16). Nehemiah records that upon hearing of the conditions in his home country of Jerusalem; he fasted and prayed (Neh. 1:4).

There were also times when the people would fast in times of sorrow for turning away from God and following after pagan gods. Israel repented for following after other gods; they fasted and repented (1 Sam 7:6). Jonah 3:5 records that the people of Nineveh upon hearing Jonah’s prophecy put on sackcloth, covered themselves with ashes, and fasted. During the time of Nehemiah’s governorship (Neh. 9:1), the Israelites came together for a period of fasting, wearing sackcloth, and having dust on their heads confessing their sins. Jesus told of how his disciples would fast when he is gone.

Then there is a time where the people fasted during the time of salvation from God. W Chronicles 20 records how King Jehoshaphat called for a national time of fasting for all Judah because they were being invaded by foreign nations. God saw their fast, heard their prayers and delivered them. Likewise God spoke to the prophet Joel calling for a fast to restore them from destruction. God said: “Return to God with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments.” God is concerned more about the condition of your heart.

There were also times when people fasted when they were called into a special ministry. Moses fasted 40 days and nights when he was on the mountain with God receiving the commandments of God. Prior to Jesus beginning his earthly ministry he fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the desert region. Upon Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus he fasted for three days before Ananias came and placed his hands onhim. At Antioch (Acts 13:1) the followers were worshipping the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit spoke to them telling them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work they were called to do. Acts 14 tells about the setting aside of elders and when they did so they prayed and fasted.

These are just a few of the examples given in scripture abut the need for Gods people to fast. There are also examples given where people fasted for the wrong reasons and the wrong motives. In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus said that we shouldn’t be like the hypocrites who look somber or gloomy to be seen and noticed by others. Rather Jesus told the people that they should put oil on their heads and to wash their faces so that they don’t bring attention to themselves but rather to be noticed by the Father. Jesus told them that what the Father sees them do in secret he will reward them openly; in other words, the Father will hear their prayers. Jesus also gives up the parable of the Pharisee in Luke 18. The Pharisee brags to God about who he isn’t ( a robber, a person who does evil or an adulterer, not even like the tax collectors), what he does, i.e. fast twice a week and tithe. Jesus said that those people who exalt themselves, those who are full of pride, those who lift themselves up above others, God will humble.

Another example of fasting for the wrong reasons is because of tradition. In Jeremiah 14 the land was devastated and the people confessed their sins to God but didn’t repent of them. God told them that their fasting was of no avail. He would destroy them. The people thought of the rituals they were going through were somewhat of a good luck charm to them. They looked at God as nothing more than a good luck charm. To them God Jehovah was just one of many gods they worshipped. God is a jealous God and shares His glory with no one, nothing! Isaiah 58 tells of the people fasting but God not honoring their fast. They were being religious towards God but not relational with Him. Beginning is Isaiah 58:6-14 God says: “Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

God is not concerned if we are being “hungry” for Him. Fasting does not make you right with God. Fasting does not impress God. We need to come before God in the right fram of mind, heart and soul. Hebrews 11:6 says that god rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Deuteronomy 4:29 says that: “we are to seek the Lord and if we look for him with all our heart and soul we will find him. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sins and will heal their land.” Jeremiah 29:13 “you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

When Jesus was at the well with the Samaritan woman he was hungry. His personal hunger was set to the side to minister to the woman’s spiritual needs. We are called to be imitators of Jesus. Jesus said when he was hungry, you fed him. When he was naked, you clothed him. When he was in prison, you visited him. The people asked Jesus, when did we see you hungry and fed you, naked and clothed you and in prison and visited you. Jesus told them that what they do to the least of people it is the same as doing it to him. Putting other people’s needs before our own needs is what God calls a “true fast.” How are you doing? Are you putting others needs before your own?

God wants us to fast. He wants us to seek him. He wants us to draw closer to him. He also wants us to care for the needs of his people. This is evidenced in Isaiah 58 and also Zechariah 7:3-10. God told them not to do what they have been doing year after year, but “rather, administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” James 1:27 tells us that we are to look after the widows and orphans in their distress.

Our very being should be taken up by doing service to others. Get wrapped up in God’s work. People need the Lord. You may be the only Jesus that some will ever see.

For more information on fasting, may I recommend visiting here!

You can also view other Christian products at Emmaus Road Christian Store ;

http://www.emmaus-road.com

Kerusso, Christian Apparel

CEO/President Vic Kennett founded Kerusso in 1987. Over the past 22 years Kerusso has become the premier and dominant producer of Christian-themed apparel. In 1998 Kerusso began introducing other products such as: jewelry, gifts and accessories. Today the Kerusso campus occupies 10 acres which is home to over 65,000 square feet of manufacturing, and office space. It all started while Vic was working construction and tearing up tile in a restroom. Noticing people wearing shirts with various Christian messages on them he thought, “I could make T-Shirts like that.” God puts dreams in our hearts in the strangest of places.

In the past 22 years Vic Kennett and God have built a company that employs over 120 people in the town of Berryville, AR. The company continues to stay true to their original mission of preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ around the world. The company sells their products in more than 5,000 stores worldwide, including Emmaus Road Christian Store and Emmaus Road Christian Store’s online site. Throughout the years the company has distributed more that 7 million garments encouraging people to “seek to know the God of the universe through His Son Jesus.”

From the very beginning the Kennett’s mission has been to do his best to literally obey Jesus and the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28: 19-20).

Kerusso began on a shoestring budget and a mustard seed of faith. Kennett borrowed $1,000 from his family and placed an ad in Campus Life magazine starting his mail order business. The name Kerusso was chosen as the company name because it is a Greek word that means “to preach.” The mail order business almost put Kerusso out of business and then Kennett made the decision to go “wholesale.” Great decision.

Going from mail order to wholesale via the family house to 6,000 square feet to a facility over 65, 000 square feet and an employee base of 120 plus in just 22 years. God is good! The company now offers a full line of gifts and jewelry.

Vic Kennett believes that t-shirts are still effective for communicating the gospel message. He says that t-shirts are the “standard uniform for 3-30 year olds.” Kennett says the Message is #1 irregardless of current styles. When the two can co-exist then the Message is even stronger.

You can see a large selection of Kerusso t-shirts by clicking here!

You can also see a large selection of other Kerusso products by clicking here!

Other Christian products can be seen at Emmaus Road Christian Store
( http://www.emmaus-road.com/ )

Bill and Gloria Gaither, GVB and the Homecoming Series

Bill and Gloria Gaither along with the Gaither Vocal Band and the Gaither Homecoming Series is all but a household word. Bill Gaither began singing with the Bill Gaither Trio in 1956 along with his brother Danny and his sister Mary Ann. Mary Ann would eventual be replaced by Gloria Gaither… soon to be Gloria Gaither (1962). By profession both Bill and Gloria Gaither were teachers. In 1967 the couple left the teaching profession and devoted themselves fulltime to their ministry. The world has been blessed because of this.

Bill and Gloria Gaither have written more songs than one could possibly imagine. Many of their songs appear in church hymnals including “Because He Lives,” “The King is Coming,” “Something Beautiful,” “He Touched Me,” It is Finished,” There’s Something About That Name,” and “Let’s Just Praise the Lord.” (Be sure to check you church hymnal out this Sunday). Awards of all types and magnitude are bestowed upon the Gaither’s; Grammy and Dove Awards just to mention two (and the recipient of several in each of these categories). Bill and Gloria Gaither have been named “Songwriters of the Year” many times and most recently have been honored as “Songwriters of the Century.”

The Gaither Vocal Band began in the 1980’s. The original members included Bill Gaither, Gary McSpadden, Steve Green and Lee Young. From that point on the Gaither Vocal Band (GVB) has added members, members have left to pursue other careers but all are members of the Gaither Vocal Band… forever.

The Gaither Homecoming Series has been nothing short of phenomenal. The first Homecoming Series was held in 1991. Since then Bill and Gloria travel the world along with the Gaither Vocal Band and a host of other Christian artists bringing to people to message of salvation, a message of hope and one of love. They have produced over sixty Homecoming Series videos. The Homecoming Series features up-and-coming artists, legendary artists, the Gaither Vocal Band and of course Bill and Gloria Gaither. Since 1991 several of the members have gone on to be with the Lord. They are always remembered.

The Homecoming Series continues. In January, 2010 you will see the “Gaither Vocal Band: Reunited” and in August, 2010 you will see “Alaskan Cruise Homecoming.

Just release in August, 2009:

“Nashville Homecoming” and “Joy in My Heart.”

You can view these and other Gaither materials at Emmaus Road Christian Store .

Other music at: http://www.emmaus-road.com/music.html

And of course anything Christian at: http://www.emmaus-road.com

May God richly bless your life!

Life in the Spirit Study Bible

Today I will talk about another study Bible; “Life in the Spirit Study Bible.” The “Life in the Spirit Study Bible” comes in two translations; the New International Version and King James Version. The Life in the Spirit Study Bible is the newly revised version of the trusted Full Life Study Bible, with unique features designed especially for Spirit-filled Christians.

Discover the Biblical Foundations of Life in the Spirit.

The Life in the Spirit Study Bible will help guide you into a Christ-centered, righteous and Spirit-led lifestyle. Previously titled the Full Life Study Bible, this new edition includes updated and expanded notes, a new word study feature, and a new interior to meet the needs of Spirit-filled Christians today. In a culture that requires believers to depend strongly on God and his Word, this Bible will help you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and the person of the Holy Spirit as the source of the Church’s power.

Features include:

Themefinders—12 icons located by Scripture passages tell at a glance which theme a given passage addresses. Themes include: Baptized in/Filled with the Holy Spirit, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Fruit of the Holy Spirit, Healing, Salvation, Witnessing and more.

Study Notes—Updated and expanded, extensive notes offer insights that help you understand and apply the Scriptures.

Articles—77 articles address a wide variety of topics surrounding life in the Spirit.

Word Studies—This brand-new feature sheds light on the meanings of key words in their original Greek and Hebrew contexts.

Charts—5 custom-designed mega-charts visually portray “Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Christ,” “The Kingdom of God Versus the Kingdom of Satan,” “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit,” “The Work of the Holy Spirit,” and “The Last Days of History.”

Plus—Book introductions/In-text maps and charts/Full-color map section/Concordance/Words of Christ in red/Subject and Themefinder indexes/Reading plan/Tables of contents for articles, maps and charts.

Wonderful as it is to be saved for all eternity, we also long to walk with the Lord today. We want to hear his voice, know his heart, receive his gifts, and participate in what he is doing. We desire what the early church had that Jesus promised would be ours as well: lives lived in the intimacy, vision and power of his Spirit.

Based on the common underpinnings of Pentecostal and charismatic traditions, the Life in the Spirit Study Bible is designed as an important Biblical resource for all Christians, regardless of church background, who long to deepen their connection with the Holy Spirit. If you are hungry for greater intimacy with Jesus . . . if what you’ve read in the Bible suggests amazing possibilities for your personal relationship with God . . . if you long to experience the message, faith, devotion and power described in the book of Acts . . . then this study Bible will help you build a bedrock of spiritual understanding and faith for living a down-to-earth life equipped with the presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Millions of Christians around the world continue to discover what it means to walk in the Holy Spirit’s power and presence. If that is your desire, the Life in the Spirit Study Bible will prove a valuable companion in your spiritual quest.

First published as the Full Life Study Bible, the Life in the Spirit Study Bible has enjoyed a stunning international appeal. Working together, Zondervan and Life Publishers continue to spread the message of this Bible worldwide. All author royalties go directly to missions for the purpose of translating it into other languages. At the time of this printing, well over one million copies have been printed in nine non-English languages, and the process of translation is underway for 24 other languages.

The New International Version (NIV) is today’s most read and most trusted English Bible translation. Since its release in 1973, the NIV has sold over 160 million copies. The goal of the NIV translation team was to produce a contemporary translation whose accuracy, clarity and literary quality would make it ideal for public and private reading, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. Today the NIV is accepted by more denominations than any other translation and is supported by a library of reference resources unmatched by any other translation.

The classic King James Version (KJV) was first published in England in 1611. Commissioned by King James I, it was the achievement of nearly fifty translators, who over four years revised the Bishop’s Bible in the light of available Greek and Hebrew documents as well as other contemporary European translations. The result was the first Authorized Version, known to Americans as the King James Version. Subsequent editions, providing important corrections and standardizations, include the Cambridge edition of 1762, the Oxford edition of 1769 and Dr. F.H.A. Scrivener’s Cambridge Paragraph Bible of 1873. Zondervan uses the Scrivener edition.

To view the NIV Life in the Spirit Study Bible click here!

To view the KJV Life in the Spirit Study Bible click here!

To view all Bibles click here!

To visit Emmaus Road Christian Store click here!