http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/ Articles at E-Articles R US en-us http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/how-to-get-free-bible-maps-and-charts-of-bible-lands.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/how-to-get-free-bible-maps-and-charts-of-bible-lands.html Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:40:06 -0600
These bible maps generally refer to the geographical region called Land of Canaan or Land of Israel in the Bible, and constitutes the Promised land. The Holy Land Empire has significant religious importance for Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Bahá'í Faith. Part of its sanctity stems from the religious significance of Jerusalem, the holiest city to Judaism, the third-holiest to Islam, and part of the proposed Christian Pentarchy. The perceived holiness of the land was the ideological driving force behind the Crusades. The Holy Land has been a destination for religious pilgrimages since biblical times.

The following is a simple list of the free bible maps you can find:

The Empires of Biblical Times in the Old Testament

* Babylonian Empire
* Persian Empire
* Greek Empire
* Roman Empire
* The Sinai Desert
* The Holy Land
* Ancient Near East

Isreal Maps in the Old Testament

* The Tribes of Israel
* Old Testament Nations
* Old Testament Palestine (North)
* Old Testament Palestine (South)
* The Tabernacle
* Jerusalem at the Time of I & II Kings
* Solomon's Temple
* Jerusalem at the Time of Nehemiah

New Testament Bible Maps

* Herod the Great's Temple
* Herod the Great's Kingdom
* Jerusalem at the Time of Jesus
* City of Samaria

Plus many more.

Find more free bible maps of bible lands by clicking on the link below. Free bible maps compliments of God's Word First International Christian Ministry. - God Bless!
]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/a-christian-worldview%3B-what-is-it-and-why-do-i-need-one.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/a-christian-worldview%3B-what-is-it-and-why-do-i-need-one.html Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:56:36 -0600
Marshall Foster says there is no dichotomy between the sacred and the secular. If Jesus is Lord then everything is sacred. If, as Revelation 4:11 says, all things are created by Him and for His will's sake, there is nothing outside the compass of His instructions. To state this simply, every area of life must align with the principles revealed in His holy word. When the Christian orders every area of life with the word of God that is a Christian worldview.

The dirty little secret is that everyone has a worldview, whether he realizes what his worldview is or not. A worldview is the system of thought one utilizes to make decisions in life. The worldview that one adheres to determines how he will act and react in his daily life. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that everyone has a blended worldview. To truly please God it is incumbent upon the Christian to be constantly adjusting his worldview to fit scripture. The thing that is often more difficult is the application of Biblical principles to each unique situation in life. This requires wisdom, and a multitude of counselors. In other words, Christian, do not try to go it alone. Lean on God and His word, and commune together with other Christians who are seeking to understand His word through His wisdom, peeling away all philosophies that are foreign to scripture.

There are grave consequences when alien philosophies are added to a Christian worldview, or when it is divorced from any realm. When business is not ordered by Biblical standards you can never be sure of the quality or integrity of a contract made. When a Christian worldview is excluded from recreation the result is a morally debauched fare for the choosing. The American government illustrates the problem with replacing Christ as King; legalized murder, theft, and an attempt to force false doctrines on the church. Replacing a distinctly Christian education with secular philosophy results in an illiterate culture and an exodus of the youth from the church. When Biblical principles do not reign in all areas of life men and women replace the one true living God with a false god, resulting in lost souls going to hell.

Religion is not merely an individual pursuit. When your worldview strays from Biblical principles the affect does not merely affect your life, but it affects all of culture. The Christian develops a Christian worldview by "...bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ..." (II Cor. 10:5). Every Christian will admit that he is responsible to participate in the fulfilling of the great commission If the Christian does not have his mind renewed by the word of God he can not "teach all nations..to observe all things, whatsoever I [Jesus] have commanded you..." (Matt. 28:19 - 20). ]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/noah-websters-distinctly-christian-education-system-shielded-the-republic-from-the-enlightenment.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/noah-websters-distinctly-christian-education-system-shielded-the-republic-from-the-enlightenment.html Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:27:47 -0700
The early life of Noah Webster was dedicated to building an educational system that would impart, "a love of virtue, patriotism, and religion", based on scripture. These were the three characteristics that he deemed as necessary to maintaining the American Christian republic. He, like most Americans of his time time "affirmed that the principles of republican government have their origins in the Scriptures."

Noah Webster provided a steady stream of text books that were rooted in Christian morality. In his Moral Catechism he wrote, "God's Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct." Noah Webster published his "Speller" in 1783, followed by a "Grammar" in 1784, and a "Reader" in 1785. These works were shortly followed by his "Elements of Useful Knowledge", which contained the history and geography of the United States. The crowning glory of all of his works was the Dictionary of the American English Language. All of these works were based in the Christian worldview. Mr. Webster comprehended that only a public educated in this Christian worldview would be equipped to withstand an onslaught from anti-Christian philosophies.

Indeed it was his text books that carried Biblical principles over the American countryside. His "speller", which became popularly known as the "Blue Backed Speller", sold over one hundred million copies over a one hundred year period. As a result the American public was prepared to accept Mr. Webster's analysis of the philosophies of the French Revolution when her missionaries launched their attacks on Christianity and republicanism.

Noah Webster took up the pen against these subversive doctrines in his Minerva Magazine during 1790's. He warned that "If...that system of raising a multitude of isolated private clubs over the nation as its guardian - should spread thro the country, we may bid adieu to our Constitution." The Christian nature of America's education system overcame the attacks of the Jacobins. The Enlightenment thinking of the French Revolution was never able to gain a foothold in the thinking and activities of 18th and early 19th century America. It wasn't until the 20th and 21st centuries, long after Americans began to reject Biblical Christianity, that these anti-Christian and anti-republican philosophies were able to hijack the American system of government. ]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/about-carnal-striving-spiritual.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/about-carnal-striving-spiritual.html Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:34:25 -0700 www.anthonyjerrod.com), is following the footsteps of some of the best Christian poets, such as John Milton, Maya Angelou, James Weldon Johnson, and Langston Hughes. In Jerrod's collection of thought-provoking and witty poems, the author empathetically draws on the syncopation of gospel, blues, and jazz to move the reader to discover a more profound understanding of carnality and the need to reduce its frequency in order to start truly living the abundant life and to grow and mature spiritually.

Carnal Striving Spiritual examines the sparse topic of carnality that affects everyone from all walks of life. This book candidly analyzes a plethora of hot button topics such as adultery, politics, lingering racial dynamics, indifference to injustices and suffering and boldly examines controversial topics such as marketplace Christianity, abortion and homosexuality while cleverly being nonjudgmental.

With each chapter, Jerrod's beautiful poetry and aesthetics speak to different aspects of the reader. Jerrod uses a contemporary style and technique that relies on irregular rhythms and free verse, attention-getting titles ("Afghanistan Terrain" and "Reality Show: The Hottest Christian Artist") and a fluctuating tone. Carnal Striving Spiritual, in its eight chapters, compels its readers to reexamine their hearts in the hopes of improving their spiritual life.

Unlike many poets, whose prose and diction are too abstract for the common reader to grasp and could only be understood by similar poets, Jerrod creates a universal work that dissects race, age, gender and even religion.

In addition to the very impressive chapters on carnality as it relates to the mind, the church, the tongue, trials, race, politics and relationships, Jerrod also expounds on pure intimacy and romance for married couples, which are relatively taboo subjects in both secular and Christian circles. He masterfully pens very passionate poems in this chapter, while cleverly refraining from overt sexual overtones.

With Carnal Striving Spiritual, readers will not be presented with "cookie-cutter" poetry or mundane motivational and inspirational literature. You can look forward to a contemporaneous, refreshing and avant-garde work that is purposed to bless a multitude. ]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/why-prayer-is-important.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/why-prayer-is-important.html Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:56:01 -0700
Prayer is important because God invented it.
Prayer is not the random invention of a religious fanatic. It is not a fantasy, a crutch for the weak, or a pipe dream. Prayer is a rock-solid reality that God gave to us so we could talk to Him. Every book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, records prayer. In an amazing act of grace, kindness, and love that God gave us this means for us to speak directly to Him. The fact that God invented prayer and asks us to pray is our confidence that prayer is important.

Prayer is important because the Bible commands it.
God's word is replete with commands to pray. Prayer forms a foundational element of the believer's life. Without prayer, the result will be confusion, anger, lack of peacefulness, and even sin. If anyone questions the importance of prayer, think about the importance that Jesus placed upon prayer. Repeatedly in the gospels, we read of Jesus going to a solitary place to pray, spending all night in prayer, and encouraging his disciples to pray. The final act that Jesus did before his trial and crucifixion was hold an all-night prayer vigil to His father. Jesus thought prayer was important, and the Bible is full of repeated commands for believers to pray, too (1 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2).

Prayer is important because you need it.
Let's be honest, though. God doesn't need your prayers as much as you need to pray. Prayer has the power to change you, regardless of what you ask for. Prayer cultivates dependency upon God. When you pray, you are asking God for His help. That really takes the focus off yourself, and places it entirely upon God. Prayer gives us a means to worship God, praise God, and thank God. Beyond that, prayer is your only means of talking with God. We have the Bible, which is God's word to us. Mankind has prayer, which is our words to God. Beyond those reasons, think about one of the main purposes for prayer - asking God to meet our daily needs. Prayer is the believer's lifeline.

Prayer is important because humanity requires it.
Prayer is not just a give-me time. We must pray for others, too. How easy it is to let a casual "I'll be praying for you", turn into nothing more than a sanctified way of saying, "it's ok." Others need our prayers. The homeless need our prayers for shelter. The starving need our prayers for food. The sick need our prayers for healing. The struggling need our prayers for peacefulness. Prayer can change the world. That's pretty important.

]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/the-martyrdom-of-telemachus-still-inspires-the-christian-to-engage-the-culture.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/the-martyrdom-of-telemachus-still-inspires-the-christian-to-engage-the-culture.html Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:58:01 -0700 According to church historian, Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus, in his Ecclesiastical History, when Telemachus was in Rome he went to the stadium when the Roman games were in progress. Appalled by the spectacle, he jumped the wall and tried to "stop the men who were wielding their weapons against one another. The spectators of the slaughter were indignant, and inspired by the triad fury of the demon who delights in those bloody deeds, stoned the peacemaker to death." The Emperor Honorius, impressed by the courage of Telemachus, named him among the "victorious martyrs," and put an end to that impious spectacle.

Telemachus could have stayed secluded in the monastery. When he entered Rome he could have just gone about his business. When he did go see the spectacle in the coliseum he could have silently slipped out during or after the games were over. Instead, Telemachus climbed over the wall and was martyred for his courageous stand.

In America, it is unlikely that a Christian will be martyred for standing against the culture, for truth. You may be persecuted for your stand, you may suffer material loss or emotional pain, but you will probably not be martyred. The sad fact is that some of your worst persecution could come from those who call themselves brothers in Christ, but are not willing to risk being ostracized or losing any of their earthly goods. Some of your Christian friends, out of guilt, are as likely to lash out at you rather than fulfill the call to engage the culture themselves.
Do you have a wall that you need to climb over? Has God given you a heart for ending one of the gross evils that are marking the American culture? Christian, to engage this culture may not even require that you involve yourself in a great controversy. The state has overreached its scriptural authority and taken on responsibilities that rightly belong to the realm of the family and/or the church. Maybe you have a burden to help offer scholarships to help Christian children pay for a Christian education, or maybe you're burdened to help the widow or the orphan, so they do not have to bow at the altar of Caesar for food, heat or other necessities.
Telemachus illustrates that one man can make a difference. Every time one more Christian engages the culture in another arena, or coliseum, America will be one step closer to the righteousness that God calls the nations to. Go ahead Christian, it's up to you, climb over a wall, maybe your courage will be the inspiration necessary to end a spectacle in your culture.
]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/miriam.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/miriam.html Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:35:01 -0700
What is known of the Virgin Mary's childhood, of her vow to belong to God alone, her marriage to Joseph, her thoughts, and her feelings? George Warner, author of Miriam, from Tate Publishing, explored these questions and offered his fictionalized account of the life of the Virgin Mary. This extraordinary book is a fascinating look at the life of an extraordinary woman.

At the age of three, Miriam's parents brought her to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to serve the Lord. Even as a young child, there was evidence that Miriam was a special child as observed by Zechariah, her priestly mentor at the Temple and his wife Elisheba, Miriam's cousin. As she matured Miriam became aware that love of Yahweh was all consuming and she vowed to keep her love for God first and foremost, above all others. She would live in the service of God and God alone.

Due to her age and physical development Miriam was compelled by law to leave the Temple resulting in her journey to Nazera where she joined her parents who had left the rigors of Jerusalem for the serenity of a small village in northern Galileee. It was there she became shaken when a marriage proposal was presented to her by a village carpenter named Youssef. To her surprise, when she candidly told Youssef of her vow to remain a virgin, he continued to pursue the marriage. The fact of marriage was not to be the most significant event in her young life. Shortly thereafter she was visited by a youthful stranger who later identified himself as, Gabriel, a messenger from Yahweh. Gabriel told her, if she agreed, she was to bear a son; The Lord's Son and was to name him Yeshua. He was to be the Messiah.

"Gabriel remained suspended in the opaque cloud as Miriam reasoned on the fact he had shared with her," wrote Warner. "She had known of the Creator's promise. Their faith comprehended an expectation of salvation through a Messianic presence; the promised gift was Yahweh's final and completing covenant."

Recounting the birth of Yeshua, the deaths of Miriam's beloved father, Mother and husband and the first meeting with Miriam Magdalene, this account of the life of Miriam was entertaining as well as educational. Watching through Miriam's eyes, the childhood of Yeshua and the trials and tribulations of the Hebrews; their lives and their beliefs brought the mother of Christ to life on the page. Her compassion and faith were tested many times, yet remained unwavering. Her consistency in her beliefs helped her through many situations and helped sustain her focus on the task of raising her son.

"They would never be the same, she realized," wrote Warner. "He had, in an instant, established to her who he was: Yeshua the Messiah in a moment of revelation, son and savior. She had given him bodily, earthly existence; he would give her everlasting inheritance."

Warner depicted the everyday lives of Miriam, Youssef and Yeshua with such intense clarity, that it was hard to remember that this was a work of fiction, conjecture, it seemed more like a window into another place and time. The closeness between Yeshua and his cousin Yochanan, childhood friends and playmates, foreshadowed their future relationship. Signs of Yeshua's Messianic nature were told in anecdotes of his adventures as a child.

As he reached adulthood, we saw Yeshua through his mother's eyes. We watched as biblical events unfolded before us, written as though we were truly there, witness to each event, seated at the table of the Last Supper.

Warner followed Miriam and the Disciples through the events that led to the crucifixion of Christ and his resurrection. This fascinating look at the life of Miriam bridges the gap of what is known of this incredible lady and the life she led; the sacrifices she made in the name of her unwavering faith.
]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/homeless-in-saint-louis-and-sleeping-in-churches.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/homeless-in-saint-louis-and-sleeping-in-churches.html Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:01:25 -0700
"After 12 years I have decided to stop fighting for steady job and friends and spend time on the street where I have felt I belong," wrote Ljutic. "This book comes from my experience on the street and incorporates some of my previous life experiences. This book is not just about American religion. It is about religion and how it affects or even attacks everyday life, and it is about my life experiences in America."

Ljutic's time on the streets was mostly spent going from church to church. She spent time in the common rooms, talking to people from the church and some of the homeless people. The book was full of pictures of the people who she came into contact with and stories about the people she met and the places she stayed. In some of the churches, Ljutic felt very out of place. The people in these institutions talked to her about God, Jesus and Christianity. Coming from a cultural Muslim background, this was very different for her. She was very surprised by some of the beliefs she learned about.

"I like Sister Stephanie," wrote Ljutic. "It is great thing to help people. Later when we talked, she showed me a ring. Inside the ring was written that Jesus loves her. It was a real engagement ring. She is married to him, she told me. Why would she adopt symbol of a real civil marriage into her religious thought?"

One thing that was very unsettling for Ljutic was the notion that God or Jesus made decisions for people, and people were not responsible for their own actions or sins. She did not understand this reasoning and her reaction to it was to question it and reject it.

"I did not like this way of reasoning and inside of me everything was screaming against such way of thinking," wrote Ljutic. "It was screaming inside of my heart. My reaction was surprising me too. Usually I am more tolerant. For me this is a killer of every civilized society especially European progressive thought. God is man's creation. Relying on that creation gives these people the ability to manipulate everything. And to not take responsibility for it. They are giving responsibility to God for everything they do."

Ljutic's impression of Christianity in America was that this was a crusade; one that separates the different religions and holds one religion above the others. This was not the experience she expected having grown up in Europe where religion is viewed very differently and did not have the impact it seemed to have in America.

"I know these people are making crusades possible," wrote Ljutic. "They are dividing people and making differences, fights, and hatred possible by promoting Bible study and believing in fighting and Christ and keeping the Bible alive same with Muslims in Middle East."

Interspersed throughout the book were some very detailed descriptions of the history and architecture of many of the churches Ljutic visited, along with the websites for each church. Since this was a chronological account there were also some very interesting news facts peppered throughout. Anyone interested in history, architecture or the differences in religious beliefs will find this book of interest.
]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/my-dreams-come-true-a-journal-of-my-paranormal-experiences.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/my-dreams-come-true-a-journal-of-my-paranormal-experiences.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:01:58 -0700
Ioan Dirina, author of My Dreams Come True: A Journal of My Paranormal Experiences, from Jones Harvest Publishing (www.ioandirina.com), believes in a Supreme Being who guides the future of mankind. Dirina experienced the truth of this through his dreams. He dreamed of the future and then watched as each dream in turn came true. Since there is no scientific explanation for the phenomena that he experienced, he believes this is proof that a supernatural entity exists that guides us in ways unknown, even to us.

"Sometimes my experiences involved a waking vision, not a dream," wrote Dirina. "In one such experience during 1962 I had a vision of running into some people on a street. A few minutes later I actually encountered those same people on that street."

Dirina began recording his visionary dreams in a dream journal when he was a student in his native Romania. He continued to have dreams that came true through his military training, his time in Austria in a refugee camp and then into his life in America.

"Another night in August 1970 I dreamed that someone wanted to kill another person with a knife, and I explained to him that easiest way to kill with a knife is to cut aorta," wrote Dirina. "On next day I was reading Daily News and saw an article about that terrible crime in California that became so famous. Actress Sharon Tate had been killed by accomplices of Charles Manson, who used a knife to cut her aorta, as in my dream."

Dirina's dreams were sometimes about famous happenings before they happened and sometimes about commonplace happenings. Each time a dream came true, it reaffirmed his belief that there was a higher power at work, guiding his thoughts and experiences.

Dirina recorded his dreams as proof that a supernatural entity exists and guides our future. He has had these paranormal visions and dreams for over forty years.

"Today I have come to realize that I wish to share my story with others," wrote Dirina. "So I have taken my old journals and rewritten them into this book, in hopes that other people might learn something from this glimpse into this extraordinary dream world that has been mine for more than 45 years. They need to know that our dreams can - and do - come true." ]]> http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/cardinal-timothy-manning.html http://receivedtext.org/articles/articles/society/religion/cardinal-timothy-manning.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:49:23 -0600 Timothy Manning House of Prayer
- Formerly the 1928 estate designed for and once owned by Earle C. Anthony. The house was designed by Bernard Maybeck with John White as his associate architect. Earle was a radio pioneer who founded and owned, until his death in 1961, radio station KFI AM 640. He also was known as a prominent Packard automotive dealer in Los Angeles. Anthony commissioned Parkinson and Bergstrom to design his Packard dealership, and Greene and Greene to design the building's detail, entrance and interiors.

For me, the House of Prayer has been a life and vocation saver. It is a spiritual oasis—a refuge from the desolation and confusion of overwork and a shallow prayer life. At the House of Prayer I have experienced affirmation through spiritual direction. I enjoy the peace, quietness and prayerfulness of the chapel. All of this has given me an improved self image.—a priest

Set in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles near Griffith Park, the House of Prayer offers priests a respite from daily ministerial activity. The blending of Spanish architectural design and landscaping provides a setting of quiet and simple beauty suitable to its purpose: fostering a priest's prayer life, inner freedom, rest and reflection.

The central focus of the House of Prayer are the three chapels. One chapel is located in the main building and is used for group prayer and Eucharistic Celebration. Next door is a beautiful adoration chapel. In the original building, which is set aside for silent retreats, there is an additional adoration chapel.

Accomodationss are available for visiting priests. A well-stocked kitchen allows each guest to have his breakfast whenever convenient. The rooms allow the guest to choose to be silent or with a group. This allows opportunity for conversation and fellowship. The lunch and evening dinners are prepared by a cook.

There is a full staff of priests available for spiritual direction, sacramental reconciliation and retreats. The Brothers of the Good Shepherd attend to the accomodations of the guests. Any priest or priest support group is welcome. The House of Prayer is funded by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Guests are invited to make a suggested donation to defray the operating costs.
Contact Us

The Cardinal Timothy Manning House of Prayer for Priests
Timothy Manning ]]>