The Word of Promise; The Gift of Psalms

I just finished the devotional/audio companion titled: The Word of Promise, The Gift of Psalms and I must say that the quality is incredible. However, I have never understood how and why actors who are not Christians (as far as I can tell from their on-screen roles) are included in a product marketed to Christians. Having a celebrity read a devotional that they could care less about with an excerpt of the Bible that they don’t believe in is like Billy Graham reading an audio dramatization of the Quran. We don’t need celebrities to sell the Bible, the Bible sells itself. Also, I have unfortunately heard a few of the celebrities take the Lords name in vain both in movies and TV, so that is kind of hard for me to get past. But if you are looking for an emotional reaction then the quality of orchestration paired with the “world’s finest talent” should do the trick.
But with so many great devotionals and audio Bibles(that include the whole Bible) I can’t understand why anyone would want or need this, unless they always wanted to hear George Costanza read the Bible.

The Kingdom of the Occult

Walter Martins book, The Kingdom of the Occult, completely took me off guard. I was expecting to find a book that was a light survey of various cults/religions. What I got was the most in-depth comprehensive study on the history, beliefs, modern appearance, and the Christian response to most of the cult and occult practices that we are faced with in todays time. This book should be standard reading for anyone that wants to be equipped spiritually against all that this world can throw at us. Martin said it best, "Spiritual warfare, as taught in the Bible, is personal warfare. It is wise to know the enemy and their contact with human beings...". This book gives you the ability and wisdom to "know the enemy".
I found the chapter on Kabbalah to be most revealing since I hear so much about it in the media. Martin tells the difference between the historical and the Hollywood versions allowing you to see just how the religion has evolved and adapted to fit the needs of its followers. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone as a trustworthy and Christian guide through the deep and often overwhelming world of the Occult.

The New Life by Andrew Murray

I'm rereading, The New Life by Andrew Murray which I believe was first written around 1885. Its amazing how relevant it still is today. I would advise all Christians new and old to read over this. The first chapter deals with this "new life" that we have in Christ. (Col. 3: 3,4; 1 John 1:2; 5:11, 12) Murray states that there are two major hinderances to the power and reception of the new spiritual life. First is the "ignorance of the nature of this life", the second is that " he fails to believe that he shall grow with divine power and certainty". I'll leave you with this paragraph from chapter one, it has been a daily encouragement to me and I hope the same for you. "Let everyone then that has received this new life cultivate this great conviction: It is eternal life that works in me; it works with divine power; I can and shall become what God will have me be; Christ himself is my life; I have to receive Him every day as my life given by God to me, and He shall be my life in full power."

New Blog, New Dog

It seemed appropriate to start our first blog seeing as how we just purchased our first dog, Piper. Piper is a Maltese/Poodle mix or better known as a Maltipoo. He is currently eight months old and is about nine pounds. We will be posting pics of him as they come, of course we already have a ton. This blog will have posts from both of us (Keith and Megan) from time to time about any and everything. Look forward to next time.