"Quarterly News from Christian author Stephen M. Miller" Newsletter of Christian author Stephen M. Miller. Steve writes easy-reading books about the Bible. No preaching. for Thursday, 30 June 2016
Headlines only
Three ways to Genesis
Grandpa's picture album
New this year: The One-Stop History of the Bible
Still Amazon's best-selling Bible handbook: Complete Guide to the Bible
Two of Steve's most popular blog articles so far this year
Free review books, including Steve's July release
START HERE.The trail opens July 1 for A Visual Walk Through Genesis. It's a new book I wrote. It comes with a little something extra: a new, free online paraphrase of Genesis...the first Bible book in the new Casual English Bible. But there's more: 350+ discussion questions for small groups and individuals who like to think for themselves. Yessiree Bob.
Three ways to Genesis
NORMALLY, ALL I DO IS WRITE A BOOK.
That's tough enough, since I also have to find all the pictures myself and – even tougher – create all the maps with extreme-geek cartography software that feeds off of NASA's elevation data.
But this time, I felt compelled to do more.
I don't know if the Compeller was the Holy Spirit, Curiosity, or just another Bad Idea. Sorry to say, it's sometimes hard to tell.
But I decided to paraphrase Genesis while I wrote A Visual Walk Through Genesis. I wanted to understand the stories so well that I could put them in my own words: casual English.
I didn't plan to take the paraphrase public.
But when I finished, I had another thought.
People might use A Visual Walk Through Genesis in small-group Bible studies.
My paraphrase of Genesis might help stir some thinking and discussion.
I could add my own journalistic-style of discussion questions at the end of each of the 50 chapters in Genesis.
I could even take the paraphrasing further, and start work on my own Bible paraphrase. So I did.
I recently released an online beta edition of Casual English Bible.
It has a paraphrase of Genesis, with over 350 discussion questions.
I added the Gospel of Luke, with hundreds more discussion questions.
I'm working now on Luke's sequel, the Book of Acts. It tells the story of how the Christian movement got started and spread throughout the Roman Empire.
Perhaps time will tell if this idea was inspired, merely a curiosity, or worse.
In any case, Bible students now have three more ways to get into Genesis:
GENESIS
—Magazine-style commentary
—Pictures & maps
—Discussion guide
...LOOK INSIDE
FREE BONUSES:
—Steve's Genesis paraphrase,Casual English Bible
—over 350 discussion questions
Steve's most complete book about Genesis
Three ways to Genesis
Grandpa's picture album
New this year: The One-Stop History of the Bible
Still Amazon's best-selling Bible handbook: Complete Guide to the Bible
Two of Steve's most popular blog articles so far this year
Free review books, including Steve's July release
START HERE.The trail opens July 1 for A Visual Walk Through Genesis. It's a new book I wrote. It comes with a little something extra: a new, free online paraphrase of Genesis...the first Bible book in the new Casual English Bible. But there's more: 350+ discussion questions for small groups and individuals who like to think for themselves. Yessiree Bob.
Three ways to Genesis
NORMALLY, ALL I DO IS WRITE A BOOK.
That's tough enough, since I also have to find all the pictures myself and – even tougher – create all the maps with extreme-geek cartography software that feeds off of NASA's elevation data.
But this time, I felt compelled to do more.
I don't know if the Compeller was the Holy Spirit, Curiosity, or just another Bad Idea. Sorry to say, it's sometimes hard to tell.
But I decided to paraphrase Genesis while I wrote A Visual Walk Through Genesis. I wanted to understand the stories so well that I could put them in my own words: casual English.
I didn't plan to take the paraphrase public.
But when I finished, I had another thought.
People might use A Visual Walk Through Genesis in small-group Bible studies.
My paraphrase of Genesis might help stir some thinking and discussion.
I could add my own journalistic-style of discussion questions at the end of each of the 50 chapters in Genesis.
I could even take the paraphrasing further, and start work on my own Bible paraphrase. So I did.
I recently released an online beta edition of Casual English Bible.
It has a paraphrase of Genesis, with over 350 discussion questions.
I added the Gospel of Luke, with hundreds more discussion questions.
I'm working now on Luke's sequel, the Book of Acts. It tells the story of how the Christian movement got started and spread throughout the Roman Empire.
Perhaps time will tell if this idea was inspired, merely a curiosity, or worse.
In any case, Bible students now have three more ways to get into Genesis:
- A Visual Walk Through Genesis
- Casual English Bible, Genesis paraphrase
- Casual English Bible, Genesis discussion questions The last two out of three are free.
—Magazine-style commentary
—Pictures & maps
—Discussion guide
...LOOK INSIDE
FREE BONUSES:
—Steve's Genesis paraphrase,Casual English Bible
—over 350 discussion questions
Steve's most complete book about Genesis
In all of the easy-reading Bible handbooks I've written, Genesis gets just a few pages in each. Even in my word-driven Complete Guide to the Bible, Genesis gets only 15 measly pages.
It gets more in my newest release, A Quick Guided Tour Through the Bible: 27 pages.
But in A Visual Walk Through Genesis, I get to fill up 227 pages with words, photos, and illustrated maps to help Bible newcomers tour every one of the stories in all 50 chapters of Genesis.
Genesis stirs up lots of questions because it’s loaded with weird and wild stories.
A talking snake
God making Eve from Adam’s rib
Fallen angels and human women making baby giantsI hope you have as much fun reading this book as I did researching and writing it.
CASUAL ENGLISH BIBLE. Folks who don't read the Bible need a Bible they can read.
That tag line pretty much tells the tale of who I'm targeting with this Bible paraphrase: Bible newcomers. So I'm keeping it simple, but not stupid.
This beta edition of a new paraphrase I'm working on launched in June with the Bible books of Genesis and Luke.
Up next, Acts. Each Bible book comes with study Bible notes and hundreds of discussion questions for small groups.
It's all online and it's free.You're welcome. It's my pleasure.
Grandpa's new picture album :)
Left: Daughter Becca with her niece Elise and son Owen (born 2 1/2 months apart).
Right: Son Brad with his daughter Elise.
Left: Me and Owen, hanging out on the floor.
Right: Becca with Elise, who's being entertained by the ceiling fan at dinnertime.
Left: Owen. I like to think he's practicing the first syllable of his name.
Right: Me with Owen and Elise, when they spent the day with me and my wife, Linda. Can you tell we had fun? (To see more photos like this from time to time, "like" my Facebook page.)
RECENT RELEASE
It gets more in my newest release, A Quick Guided Tour Through the Bible: 27 pages.
But in A Visual Walk Through Genesis, I get to fill up 227 pages with words, photos, and illustrated maps to help Bible newcomers tour every one of the stories in all 50 chapters of Genesis.
Genesis stirs up lots of questions because it’s loaded with weird and wild stories.
A talking snake
God making Eve from Adam’s rib
Fallen angels and human women making baby giantsI hope you have as much fun reading this book as I did researching and writing it.
CASUAL ENGLISH BIBLE. Folks who don't read the Bible need a Bible they can read.
That tag line pretty much tells the tale of who I'm targeting with this Bible paraphrase: Bible newcomers. So I'm keeping it simple, but not stupid.
This beta edition of a new paraphrase I'm working on launched in June with the Bible books of Genesis and Luke.
Up next, Acts. Each Bible book comes with study Bible notes and hundreds of discussion questions for small groups.
It's all online and it's free.You're welcome. It's my pleasure.
Grandpa's new picture album :)
Right: Son Brad with his daughter Elise.
Left: Me and Owen, hanging out on the floor.
Right: Becca with Elise, who's being entertained by the ceiling fan at dinnertime.
Right: Me with Owen and Elise, when they spent the day with me and my wife, Linda. Can you tell we had fun? (To see more photos like this from time to time, "like" my Facebook page.)
The One-Stop History of the Bible is a new, condensed, lavishly illustrated edition of a book that won the non-fiction Book of the Year Award in England, The Bible: A History.
That book was translated into more than a dozen languages, including Arabic, Chinese, and Russian.
I recruited my friend and former Reader's Digest Books editor Bob Huber to help me write that original edition. For this condensed book, Bob did the work of fitting our original book into the new, more concise format.
It looks gorgeous.
Still Amazon's bestselling Bible handbook
COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BIBLE
FOR OVER TWO YEARS Amazon has listed the Complete Guide to the Bible as the #1 Bible handbook.
Each day, it battles with a couple of other less expensive books for the #1 slot. But as I type this, it's #1.
Deluxe leather-bound edition with new maps
Recent release:
A Quick Guided Tour Through the Bible
BIBLE ATLAS IN DISGUISE. That's how I thought of this book as I was writing it and filling it with more than 300 color pictures and more than 100 illustrated maps.
As usual, I've written in a fast-paced, magazine style.
I've written Bible handbooks before. But none with this many maps, which are 3D-style, to give you the lay of the land.
...LOOK INSIDE
Sneak peek at Amazon
Two most-read blog articles
HERE ARE THE TWO MOST POPULAR blog articles I posted so far this year.
I write new articles every Tuesday and Thursday. The subscription is free. To get them, all you need is a name and an email address. Here's a bonus: I give away free, signed copies of my books every week.
Sign me up.
When Christians don't help through the USA
That book was translated into more than a dozen languages, including Arabic, Chinese, and Russian.
I recruited my friend and former Reader's Digest Books editor Bob Huber to help me write that original edition. For this condensed book, Bob did the work of fitting our original book into the new, more concise format.
It looks gorgeous.
Still Amazon's bestselling Bible handbook
COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BIBLE
FOR OVER TWO YEARS Amazon has listed the Complete Guide to the Bible as the #1 Bible handbook.
Each day, it battles with a couple of other less expensive books for the #1 slot. But as I type this, it's #1.
Deluxe leather-bound edition with new maps
A Quick Guided Tour Through the Bible
BIBLE ATLAS IN DISGUISE. That's how I thought of this book as I was writing it and filling it with more than 300 color pictures and more than 100 illustrated maps.
As usual, I've written in a fast-paced, magazine style.
I've written Bible handbooks before. But none with this many maps, which are 3D-style, to give you the lay of the land.
...LOOK INSIDE
Sneak peek at Amazon
Two most-read blog articles
HERE ARE THE TWO MOST POPULAR blog articles I posted so far this year.
I write new articles every Tuesday and Thursday. The subscription is free. To get them, all you need is a name and an email address. Here's a bonus: I give away free, signed copies of my books every week.
Sign me up.
When Christians don't help through the USA
STEVE IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. This is what I look like when my face is embedded into a Roman statue on display in the British Museum. And this is where I felt like I belonged after I asked why some Christians don’t like helping needy people in government-run programs.
THE ROOM WENT SILENT when I asked the question.
I think some were stunned. Then angry.
I was in a Bible study. The group was talking about how Christians step up to help people in need. We had plenty of examples in the group because we’re kind people.
...Then came my question.
“Why are we Christians eager to help when the person in need happens to cross our path. But when the problem is nationwide – like people who can’t afford their medicine or people who can’t get a job – we resist joining with the entire nation to address the nationwide need?” Read more."Why Christians don’t help through the USA" by Stephen M. Miller
STEVE IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. This is what I look like when my face is embedded into a Roman statue on display in the British Museum. And this is where I felt like I belonged after I asked why some Christians don’t like helping needy people in government-run programs.
THE ROOM WENT SILENT when I asked the question.
I think some were stunned. Then angry.
I was in a Bible study. The group was talking about how Christians step up to help people in need. We had plenty of examples in the group because we’re kind people.
Examples included the story of my wife paying the grocery bill for a babysitting, grandmotherly lady in front of her. The woman’s “instant deposit” didn’t go through: Why I hugged my wife on Tuesday.
There were some over-the-top, heartwarming stories from this group. Some stories told. Most stories not. My headliner, which we didn’t talk about because the group already knew about it: A home for Rosa, a single mom in a Honduras hilltop village.
Then came my question.
“Why are we Christians eager to help when the person in need happens to cross our path. But when the problem is nationwide – like people who can’t afford their medicine or people who can’t get a job – we resist joining with the entire nation to address the nationwide need?”
Wet blanket.
That’s what I threw on the group. We were all feeling warm and fuzzy until then – satisfied with our expressions of Christian compassion.
During the stunned looks, I got just a one-word answer before we quickly moved on to some other topic.
The answer I got: “Compartmentalization.”
I said, “Oh, the way President Kennedy compartmentalized his life: ‘This is my time in the day to be President. This is my time to be a father and husband. This is my play time with Marilyn Monroe’?”
That’s as far as we got. I didn’t get a chance to clarify what my friend meant.
Here’s my best guess. Me = good. Government = bad.
When Christians pitch me that ball, I hit it with this club: Me = Government.
Jesus said something like this: “My kingdom is not in the world,” (John 18:36).
But his people are.
And in our country – at the moment, though not necessarily in the future – we have freedoms the Jews didn’t have 2,000 years ago, under Roman occupation.
We can speak out to defend the rights of people who don’t have the voice or the platform to speak out for themselves. And we can vote for representatives who have compassion for people at risk – on a personal level and on a national scale.
We all know that some people take advantage of national programs. People take advantage of us, too, on the personal level. People exploited Jesus, as well, using his name to build fame for themselves (Luke 9:49-50).
But it didn’t stop Jesus from doing what God sent him to do.
It doesn’t stop us from helping the hurting people who cross our path.
And perhaps, some wonder, it shouldn’t stop a nation of compassionate Christians from helping the needy masses just because some manage to abuse the system.
Should we stop helping everyone simply because some exploit the system?
Should we abandon to scattered locals a national problem that seems to require a national response?
In decades past, the church has led the way when they saw a need. Churches started the hospitals. They started schools and colleges, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Oxford among them.
I wonder. Since many Christians seem opposed to helping the needy through government programs, and since the need is still great, should the church step up and plow the road?
Prescription Meds for All, sponsored by the United Methodist Church
College for Everyone Who Makes the Grade, sponsored by the Church of God in Christ
Homes for the Homeless, sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention
Just wondering.
Clearly there is hurt that needs healed. Perhaps all we Christians need are the eyes to see it and the hearts to feel it.
Until then, many people are going to be left wondering “Where is God?”
Paul had the answer for the people of faith:
“God’s Spirit lives in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Open season on books: Blog subscribers get to give away some books
If you know someone in the USA who hasn’t gotten a free book from me but could use one – and might actually read it – send me a name in a note. I’ll follow up with a request about where to mail it.
Here are some of the free review books I have at the moment:
But this week I’m opening it up to a wider group.
Call it Spring Cleaning. My wife does.-------
A Bible study lesson I chose note to teach
THE ROOM WENT SILENT when I asked the question.
I think some were stunned. Then angry.
I was in a Bible study. The group was talking about how Christians step up to help people in need. We had plenty of examples in the group because we’re kind people.
...Then came my question.
“Why are we Christians eager to help when the person in need happens to cross our path. But when the problem is nationwide – like people who can’t afford their medicine or people who can’t get a job – we resist joining with the entire nation to address the nationwide need?” Read more."Why Christians don’t help through the USA" by Stephen M. Miller
STEVE IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. This is what I look like when my face is embedded into a Roman statue on display in the British Museum. And this is where I felt like I belonged after I asked why some Christians don’t like helping needy people in government-run programs.
THE ROOM WENT SILENT when I asked the question.
I think some were stunned. Then angry.
I was in a Bible study. The group was talking about how Christians step up to help people in need. We had plenty of examples in the group because we’re kind people.
Examples included the story of my wife paying the grocery bill for a babysitting, grandmotherly lady in front of her. The woman’s “instant deposit” didn’t go through: Why I hugged my wife on Tuesday.
There were some over-the-top, heartwarming stories from this group. Some stories told. Most stories not. My headliner, which we didn’t talk about because the group already knew about it: A home for Rosa, a single mom in a Honduras hilltop village.
Then came my question.
“Why are we Christians eager to help when the person in need happens to cross our path. But when the problem is nationwide – like people who can’t afford their medicine or people who can’t get a job – we resist joining with the entire nation to address the nationwide need?”
Wet blanket.
That’s what I threw on the group. We were all feeling warm and fuzzy until then – satisfied with our expressions of Christian compassion.
During the stunned looks, I got just a one-word answer before we quickly moved on to some other topic.
The answer I got: “Compartmentalization.”
I said, “Oh, the way President Kennedy compartmentalized his life: ‘This is my time in the day to be President. This is my time to be a father and husband. This is my play time with Marilyn Monroe’?”
That’s as far as we got. I didn’t get a chance to clarify what my friend meant.
Here’s my best guess. Me = good. Government = bad.
When Christians pitch me that ball, I hit it with this club: Me = Government.
Jesus said something like this: “My kingdom is not in the world,” (John 18:36).
But his people are.
And in our country – at the moment, though not necessarily in the future – we have freedoms the Jews didn’t have 2,000 years ago, under Roman occupation.
We can speak out to defend the rights of people who don’t have the voice or the platform to speak out for themselves. And we can vote for representatives who have compassion for people at risk – on a personal level and on a national scale.
We all know that some people take advantage of national programs. People take advantage of us, too, on the personal level. People exploited Jesus, as well, using his name to build fame for themselves (Luke 9:49-50).
But it didn’t stop Jesus from doing what God sent him to do.
It doesn’t stop us from helping the hurting people who cross our path.
And perhaps, some wonder, it shouldn’t stop a nation of compassionate Christians from helping the needy masses just because some manage to abuse the system.
Should we stop helping everyone simply because some exploit the system?
Should we abandon to scattered locals a national problem that seems to require a national response?
In decades past, the church has led the way when they saw a need. Churches started the hospitals. They started schools and colleges, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Oxford among them.
I wonder. Since many Christians seem opposed to helping the needy through government programs, and since the need is still great, should the church step up and plow the road?
Prescription Meds for All, sponsored by the United Methodist Church
College for Everyone Who Makes the Grade, sponsored by the Church of God in Christ
Homes for the Homeless, sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention
Just wondering.
Clearly there is hurt that needs healed. Perhaps all we Christians need are the eyes to see it and the hearts to feel it.
Until then, many people are going to be left wondering “Where is God?”
Paul had the answer for the people of faith:
“God’s Spirit lives in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Open season on books: Blog subscribers get to give away some books
If you know someone in the USA who hasn’t gotten a free book from me but could use one – and might actually read it – send me a name in a note. I’ll follow up with a request about where to mail it.
Here are some of the free review books I have at the moment:
- A Quick Guided Tour Through the Bible
- Strange and Mysterious Stuff from the Bible
- 100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible
- Quién es quién y dónde es dónde en la Biblia 2.0 (Spanish edition of Who’s Who & Where’s Where in the Bible 2.0)
- Big Dummies of the Bible
- La Guía Completa de Profecías Bíblicas (Spanish edition of The Complete Guide to Bible Prophecy)
But this week I’m opening it up to a wider group.
Call it Spring Cleaning. My wife does.-------
A Bible study lesson I chose note to teach
CAN DO. There are some Bible passages that a Bible study leader won’t touch. And maybe it’s for the best. Photo by John Paul Richards, flickr, CC2.
“THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A CHRISTIAN.” That’s the title of the three-week series we’re talking about in my Sunday morning Bible study group.
I taught the lesson last week: “We get a bad press.”
I had to change the focus at the last moment because our local newspaper featured our denomination in their Saturday morning editorial. The paper didn’t like the fact that our leaders postponed a decision about whether or not to welcome gay ministers into the clergy.
I could handle that discussion.
But I wanted nothing to do with leading this past Sunday’s session: “Dealing with disagreeable, mean-spirited Christians.”
The thought of leading that discussion churned my stomach.
“THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A CHRISTIAN.” That’s the title of the three-week series we’re talking about in my Sunday morning Bible study group.
I taught the lesson last week: “We get a bad press.”
I had to change the focus at the last moment because our local newspaper featured our denomination in their Saturday morning editorial. The paper didn’t like the fact that our leaders postponed a decision about whether or not to welcome gay ministers into the clergy.
I could handle that discussion.
But I wanted nothing to do with leading this past Sunday’s session: “Dealing with disagreeable, mean-spirited Christians.”
The thought of leading that discussion churned my stomach.
Read more.Donald Trump & the King of Kings by Stephen M. Miller
A CHRISTIAN'S CHOICE? When we compare Donald Trump's words to the words Jesus spoke on similar topics, it seems fairly clear there's a tad bit of a clash. Portrait by DonkeyHotey, flickr, CC2.
WHO CARES WHAT I SAY about the two emerging candidates for president.
It doesn’t bother me that people don’t care what I say. Which is why I haven’t said anything.
Here’s what bothers me.
Some Christians don’t seem to care what Jesus had to say, either.
Donald Trump is a candidate like none other in American history – at least none that I’m aware of. I don’t mean that as a compliment, not that anyone should care.
Mr. Trump is a rarity because in temperament and practice he mimics vindictive autocrats that Christians in the previous generations refused to call out, to the detriment of tens of millions and to the deserved humiliation of the church. Think about what led up to World War II.
Shame on those Christians in the generation past. And if Christians do not speak out today, shame on us in the generation ahead.
For Christians planning to vote for Mr. Trump, I doubt there is anything I can say that would turn them from that path.
But for Christians on the fence, compare the words of two men. Then choose which man to follow.
If you think you can follow both, that’s your choice to make. I have Christian friends who will probably make that choice. They will be no less my friends for it, I hope.
The power of a word
Jesus: “The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:37).
Trump: “You know, it really doesn’t matter what they [the media] write as long as you’ve got a young, and beautiful, piece of ass.”
Getting even
Jesus: “You know that you have been taught, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to try to get even with a person who has done something to you” (Matthew 5:38-39).
Trump: “When someone crosses you, my advice is ‘Get Even!’ That is not typical advice, but it is real life advice. If you do not get even, you are just a schmuck!”
A shining example
Jesus: “You are like light for the whole world…. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).
Trump: “My fingers are long and beautiful, as, it has been well documented, are various other parts of my body.”
Greed is great
Jesus: “Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns” (Luke 12:15).
Trump: “The point is, you can never be too greedy.”
Hit the other cheek
Jesus: “Do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39).
Trump: “If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously, OK? Just knock the hell – I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise. I promise.”
Picking on people
Jesus: “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment” (Matthew 7:1-2).
Trump: “If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?”
Money is beautiful
Jesus: “Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven….Your heart will always be where your treasure is” (Matthew 6:19-21 ).
Trump: “The beauty of me is that I’m very rich.”
Golden rule, but not for Muslims
Jesus: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” (Matthew 7:12).
Trump: “Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”
A great guy
Jesus: “Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant…For I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:26-27).
Trump: “I will be the greatest President that God has ever given America.”
Bleeding with compassion
Jesus: “You must be compassionate, just as your father is compassionate” (Luke 6:36).
Trump: “You could see there was blood coming out of her [Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly] eyes, blood coming out of her, wherever.”
For more about Donald Trump
Skip political ads from either party. They reprogram the brain with lies and half-truths taken out of context.
Skip most news on broadcast TV…it’s too much about ratings, which drive on the power of fear and hatred stroked by the tongues of talking heads.
Try reading news from objective news sources such as the Associated Press and Reuters. Their apps are wonderful. And their reporters don’t tell you what they think or what they think you should think.
A final note
I seldom do this kind of mixing politics and the Bible. But during this election cycle, like none other I’ve witnessed in my lifetime, Americans need reminded of who Jesus is, what he taught, and what his teachings look like when they sit there beside those of our national leaders who say they’re Christian.
Blog subscribers who win books this week
Randomly selected subscribers to this free blog or to my free quarterly newsletter get the option of choosing my newest book: A Quick Guided Tour Through the Bible – among about half a dozen other titles.
-------
REVIEW BOOKS
If you can write a short review
There are two things folks can do to help in the ministry of Christian writers.
Buy their books.
Write honest reviews of their books.
If you're willing to write a short review (even just one or two sentences) in the review section of an online website that sells books, such as Amazon, I have some review books to give away to you (one per human).
I just added my newest book, which is releasing July 1:
If you're Stateside and willing to write a review, send me an email note (subject line: Free review book).
Or if you know someone who might like the book but wouldn't otherwise get a copy, let me know.
Once I get your email note, I'll send you an email confirmation and you can tell me where to mail the book.
First come, first served...as long as my stash of books holds out.
You know what?
I just thought of two more things you can do to help Christian writers in their ministry:
Talk about their books.
Say nice things about their grandkids on their Facebook page.
Last word
Jesus: "Where do you get the chutzpah to say to your brother, ‘Hey brother, let me take that speck out of your eyeball? Come on. How can you possibly do that when you can’t see past that plank in your own eyeball? Can you spell ‘hypocrite’?"[Luke 6:42, Casual English Bible]
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A CHRISTIAN'S CHOICE? When we compare Donald Trump's words to the words Jesus spoke on similar topics, it seems fairly clear there's a tad bit of a clash. Portrait by DonkeyHotey, flickr, CC2.
WHO CARES WHAT I SAY about the two emerging candidates for president.
It doesn’t bother me that people don’t care what I say. Which is why I haven’t said anything.
Here’s what bothers me.
Some Christians don’t seem to care what Jesus had to say, either.
Donald Trump is a candidate like none other in American history – at least none that I’m aware of. I don’t mean that as a compliment, not that anyone should care.
Mr. Trump is a rarity because in temperament and practice he mimics vindictive autocrats that Christians in the previous generations refused to call out, to the detriment of tens of millions and to the deserved humiliation of the church. Think about what led up to World War II.
Shame on those Christians in the generation past. And if Christians do not speak out today, shame on us in the generation ahead.
For Christians planning to vote for Mr. Trump, I doubt there is anything I can say that would turn them from that path.
But for Christians on the fence, compare the words of two men. Then choose which man to follow.
If you think you can follow both, that’s your choice to make. I have Christian friends who will probably make that choice. They will be no less my friends for it, I hope.
The power of a word
Jesus: “The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:37).
Trump: “You know, it really doesn’t matter what they [the media] write as long as you’ve got a young, and beautiful, piece of ass.”
Getting even
Jesus: “You know that you have been taught, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to try to get even with a person who has done something to you” (Matthew 5:38-39).
Trump: “When someone crosses you, my advice is ‘Get Even!’ That is not typical advice, but it is real life advice. If you do not get even, you are just a schmuck!”
A shining example
Jesus: “You are like light for the whole world…. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).
Trump: “My fingers are long and beautiful, as, it has been well documented, are various other parts of my body.”
Greed is great
Jesus: “Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns” (Luke 12:15).
Trump: “The point is, you can never be too greedy.”
Hit the other cheek
Jesus: “Do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39).
Trump: “If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously, OK? Just knock the hell – I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise. I promise.”
Picking on people
Jesus: “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment” (Matthew 7:1-2).
Trump: “If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?”
Money is beautiful
Jesus: “Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven….Your heart will always be where your treasure is” (Matthew 6:19-21 ).
Trump: “The beauty of me is that I’m very rich.”
Golden rule, but not for Muslims
Jesus: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” (Matthew 7:12).
Trump: “Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”
A great guy
Jesus: “Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant…For I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:26-27).
Trump: “I will be the greatest President that God has ever given America.”
Bleeding with compassion
Jesus: “You must be compassionate, just as your father is compassionate” (Luke 6:36).
Trump: “You could see there was blood coming out of her [Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly] eyes, blood coming out of her, wherever.”
For more about Donald Trump
Skip political ads from either party. They reprogram the brain with lies and half-truths taken out of context.
Skip most news on broadcast TV…it’s too much about ratings, which drive on the power of fear and hatred stroked by the tongues of talking heads.
Try reading news from objective news sources such as the Associated Press and Reuters. Their apps are wonderful. And their reporters don’t tell you what they think or what they think you should think.
A final note
I seldom do this kind of mixing politics and the Bible. But during this election cycle, like none other I’ve witnessed in my lifetime, Americans need reminded of who Jesus is, what he taught, and what his teachings look like when they sit there beside those of our national leaders who say they’re Christian.
Blog subscribers who win books this week
- Ralph Vaughan
- Jim Whittaker
Randomly selected subscribers to this free blog or to my free quarterly newsletter get the option of choosing my newest book: A Quick Guided Tour Through the Bible – among about half a dozen other titles.
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REVIEW BOOKS
If you can write a short review
There are two things folks can do to help in the ministry of Christian writers.
Buy their books.
Write honest reviews of their books.
If you're willing to write a short review (even just one or two sentences) in the review section of an online website that sells books, such as Amazon, I have some review books to give away to you (one per human).
I just added my newest book, which is releasing July 1:
- A Visual Walk Through Genesis
- Others for review:
- A Quick Guided Tour Through the Bible
- Strange and Mysterious Stuff from the Bible
- 100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible
- Quién es quién y dónde es dónde en la Biblia 2.0 (Spanish edition of Who’s Who & Where’s Where in the Bible 2.0)
- Big Dummies of the Bible
- La Guía Completa de Profecías Bíblicas (Spanish edition of The Complete Guide to Bible Prophecy)
If you're Stateside and willing to write a review, send me an email note (subject line: Free review book).
Or if you know someone who might like the book but wouldn't otherwise get a copy, let me know.
Once I get your email note, I'll send you an email confirmation and you can tell me where to mail the book.
First come, first served...as long as my stash of books holds out.
You know what?
I just thought of two more things you can do to help Christian writers in their ministry:
Talk about their books.
Say nice things about their grandkids on their Facebook page.
Last word
Jesus: "Where do you get the chutzpah to say to your brother, ‘Hey brother, let me take that speck out of your eyeball? Come on. How can you possibly do that when you can’t see past that plank in your own eyeball? Can you spell ‘hypocrite’?"[Luke 6:42, Casual English Bible]
Stephen M. Miller
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