Faith Bible Blog

Information and Reflections for the FBC Family

May 8, 2007
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Posts: 303

Passwords & the Bible

According to InTechnology, the ten most common passwords in use right now are:

  1. password{mosimage}
  2. 123456
  3. qwerty
  4. abc123
  5. letmein
  6. monkey
  7. myspace1
  8. password1
  9. link182
  10. (your first name)

I hope that you don’t use any of these because it won’t be long till someone uses it in a malicious fashion.

Instead, let me suggest an alternative password schema.  A secure password is at least 6-8 characters in length and a combination of letters & numbers.

Why not use your favorite bible references as passwords?

John 3:16 could be ‘jn316’ as your password, or ‘john316’ — but it’d be even better if you went with something like 1 Thessalonians 5:22, which could become ‘1thess522’ — a quite secure password.

And you can even pick out different ones for different categories.  Your finance password becomes a passage that deals with money.  Your shopping password becomes one that deals with possessions.  Your email password is a passage that focuses on the tongue.  Well, you get the idea.  Don’t overdo it. Smiley 

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May 1, 2007
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Posts: 303

In the Womb


Having seen 3D and 4D ultrasound pictures, I can say that it is truly amazing how intricately God forms us in the womb.  And thanks to a post by Al Mohler, I learned of an amazing new book and DVD that have been published on life in the womb.  The book is called ‘In the Womb‘ and it is full of beautful, incredible photos of life in the womb – from the moment of fertilization forward.  According to the research done by the author, babies are learning to sleep, taste, smile, cry, suck their thumbs, recognize their parents’ voices and maybe even dream while they mature to birth.

The book is based on the DVD, also titled ‘In the Womb.’  And I rejoice to say that the movie is available via Netflix.  It’s at the top of my queue, and I’m betting that they have more than one copy available.

 

DISCLAIMER:  Mohler notes that the book & the DVD do mention evolution at the beginning of each, however it is not a recurring theme.

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April 17, 2007
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Posts: 303

Great Christian Biographies

Al Mohler is president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Al Mohlerhosts a daily radio show and writes almost nonstop.  He also reads at an amazing pace…typically 5-6 books per week.  As you may have guessed, he sleeps very little and is often up in the dark of night.

On Mohler’s blog yesterday, he posted a top ten list of biographies from recent decades.  When a guy who’s a solid believer, reads a LOT, and has a personal library in excess of 30,000 volumes (most of which he’s read)…when a guy like that makes some recommendations on valuable books to read, my ears usually perk up.

Now at this point, generally I’d post the list of his recommendations because biographies are some of my favorite books!  But the thing is…Mohler provides summaries and excerpts from each book that you should really read to get a flavor for each book.

So, GO READ THE LIST! And here’s a few of my thoughts on ones he mentioned that I’ve read… (titles are left empty to encourage you to read his list)

#4, written by D. Daniell ~ I LOVED it.  Beth really didn’t.  I think you will probably only like this is if you’re a grammar/language geek.

#6, written by G. Marsden ~ Like it a lot.  I personally preferred the one by Iain Murray, but who am I to dispute Mohler?

#7, written by A. Dallimore ~ I’ve only read volume 1 so far, but it can be extremely challenging to your heart for the lost.

#10, written by I. Murray ~ These 2 volumes mix life story with analysis.  Volume 1 is more life-y.  Both are GOLD!

As you can see, I’ve got lots of new books added to my ‘Books to Purchase & Read’ list.  Smiley

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April 10, 2007
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Posts: 303

Load up your iPod!

Okay…it’s time to make a confession.  I don’t think all Apple products are bad.  Those who know me best will understand the severity of my confession.  In particular, I believe that the iPod is a great product and that its integration with iTunes is compelling.  (I’m not a big fan of encrypted AAC, but apart from that, the whole deal is very well done.)  I’m now on my 2nd iPod as my first one (2gb Nano, 1st Gen.) was smashed by a falling truss from my shed.  On my birthday this year, my lovely wife surprised me with a new video iPod as a replacement…maybe since I’d been regularly lamenting the minimal space on my 2gb.  I have not maxed the new one out yet…

What sort of stuff, you may ask, resides on my iPod?  Music, sermons, podcasts and interviews.  Hmmmm…but the order is probably more like interviews, podcasts, sermons, music.  (Oh, and an episode or two of Psych.)  When I come across interesting audio, I’m very prone to downloading it and then listening while I walk, work in the yard, run errands, shop, etc.

One of the real treasure troves of the internet is the 9Marks website, overseen by Mark Dever. The special thing about the 9Marks website is all the INTERVIEWS!!  Right now, there are sixty-six interviews with various well-known Christians on contemporary and historical issues.  Josh Harris, John Piper, Carl Henry, John MacArthur, Iain Murray, CJ Mahaney, RC Sproul, Wayne Grudem, Ligon Duncan, Paige Patterson, JI Packer and more!!  Here’s some of the topics discussed:

  • Biblical Counseling by Ed Welch
  • D. Martyn Lloyd Jones by his daughter
  • Christian History & Evangelicalism by Iain Murray
  • Theology & Books by R.C. Sproul
  • A Life History by R.C. Sproul
  • A Retrospective Look at his writings by John Piper
  • On 40 years of ministry by John MacArthur
  • Naturalism by Phillip Johnson
  • A Life History by J.I. Packer
  • Eldership by D.A. Carson
  • and many, many more…

Load up your iPod on this stuff!  There is a ton of helpful insights into the Christian life.  Just skim through the topics and find someone you want to hear, or a topic you want to hear about.  Download (for free!) the audio and then turn it on while you stand in the 45 min. line at the post office to mail your taxes in.

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April 4, 2007
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Posts: 303

How Circumstances Reveal the Heart

There are times when the pressure of life seems to become fairly incapacitating.  Circumstances at work or at home have become such that you want to escape it.  You begin to think "I need to take a vacation" or "a nap would really do me good" when the issue is really one of the heart.  Your hope & love for Jesus has waned.  Sometimes you realize it; sometimes you don’t.

Oftentimes, we blame our sinful responses on circumstances.  If you hadn’t said "…", Why don’t the kids put away their freakin’ toys!…, I can’t believe that I’ve been diagnosed with …, Fine!  Leave!…,  But officer…, What do you mean ‘you spent it’?, …I wouldn’t have gotten angry if…

Have you been blaming your sin on other people or issues?  When hard circumstances hit your life, what’s been going on inside your heart becomes increasingly evident.

 "We maintain that changes in situation, location, and relationship
would allow us to respond differently. We say that the difficulty
causes us to respond in sinful ways. But the Bible teaches again and
again that our circumstances don’t cause us to act as we do. They only
expose the true condition of our hearts, revealed in our words and
actions."
(Tim Lane & Paul Tripp, authors of How People Change)
  

On this topic, Carolyn McCulley, on her Solo Femininity blog, shares two things worth noting:

Oh, and read the book if you’re interested in still more on this topic! 

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