Bring BSM into your New Year!

By the title I am guessing you have at least two questions, what is BSM and why would you want to bring it into your New Year?
Well, first let me introduce you to Bible Study Magazine “BSM” is published by Logos Bible Software. My first thought when I heard about a paper magazine produced by a company who deals only with electronic resources, well let’s just say it was less than favorable, after all how good could a company who deals in e-publications do in a paper world.
Well, I got the inaugural issue and I flipped through it and noticed the quality of the production, so my first impression was good. I decided to jump right in and find an article, well being in college and just finishing my third and final semester of Greek, I naturally chose “Greek Word Study without Greek” which lay out in four easy steps to get at a realistic and usable definition of Greek words from scripture. I just finished Greek Exegesis and in four steps, they did an excellent job of conveying one portion of the exegete’s task. BSM’s explanation of the use of resources used in doing these studies was thoughtful, clear and backed-up by their own powerhouse of on line resources.
From there I decided to involve my whole family, so I made 6 copies of the Bible Word Find, from 2 Kings 18, and the race was on, unfortunately for me the wife won and finished the puzzle in a matter of a few minutes, followed by me and then each of the kids rolled in one by one. Fun was had by all and we spent sometime connecting in a different way and the kids can’t wait for the next issue and neither can I, I want a rematch.

Included in this magazine is a 8-week Bible Study, that will keep you engaged in each issue until the next one arrives at the door. This is a useful and encouraging resource for everyone, from an average Christian who just wants to learn more about the God who they serve or the Bible Professor who is looking for something different. Bottom line I liked the magazine so much that I am now a subscriber and am looking forward to the next issue.

Great Job Logos and Bible Study Magazine, I highly recommend this magazine as a resource no house should be without, so get yours today at www.BibleStudyMagazine.com

What is in your Bible?

Have you ever wondered why some bibles have 66 books some have more some have less or maybe who has what books? well with this handy little chart by Logos Bible Study Magazine will be of great interest to you.



I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful and safe New Year and may 2009 be the year of The Lord in my life and yours life and in our World too.

I hated to say good-bye

Well... I am not sure even where to begin. Almost 14 yrs ago we brought home a not so little fur ball and named him Zeus, we knew he was going to be big, after all what choice would a dog that was 50% Black Lab and 50% Great Pyrenees have but too be large. And he was not only large he was larger than life. Zeus had the best disposition of any animal I have ever known or seen, he was a lover of both animal and human.
With our kids he was the greatest, he was a friend and a protector, he loved and watched over each one of them. I generally am the last one to go to sleep in the house, I think it is the dad in me, I don't know. There where many of nights when Zeus would get up look over to me and the wife to make sure we where alright and he would make his rounds. He would check on each kid and make a trip or two around the house to make sure all was right and in order and then he would return and lay down and take his place by my side.
For the past few months he has been down with degenerative arthritis of the hips and in the past month he has not been able to get up on his own and has relied on us to help him up so he could go out or get some food and we were happy to oblige since he has always been there for us.

Yesterday, my friend began to passing blood in his urine and this morning we had to put him to sleep as he was now in pain and not even able to woof. And you have to know Zeus to appreciate the bark because it was not just a bark or a yap, it was a WOOF, one that would bring fear in your heat just when he wanted to say hello.

The lady where I work offered to allow us to bury him on her farm since we could not afford to have him cremated. Thanks to our neighbor for going with me and helping me dig the hole and place Zeus in and gently cover him up. Zeus now rests under a beautiful Oak tree, in a pasture where I am sure if he were still alive he would have loved to run and play.

I hated to say good-bye, I hated it when my wife's dog Willy passed away in 2007 and once again I hated to say good-bye. I hate it for my kids who have all grown up with Zeus, so please pray with me for them that they are able to share their pain, share their feelings, their grief and their sense of loss, and pray that they will be able to share the love and memories that they have a of the greatest friend (wife not included) and dog I have ever had or known. Lastly pray that in this they would find peace and comfort from their family and friends and that we would all enjoy and cherish our treasured memories of Zeus who was more than "just a dog" he was one of a kind and a member of the family who we will all miss greatly.

Coming home will never be the same again, Zeus we love you and we will always miss you!

Tagger

Libronix (Logos) have created a neat script for your website/blog, called "RefTagger" it is a web based tool, when the script is installed on your site allows visitors to mouse over any scripture reference Eph 2:5 and the scripture will display in a pop-up window. If you are familiar with "InstaVerse" it works on the same principle except it is a web tool that you write into your site, not a program you download.

Another nice feature is the end user control panel that allows your visitors to set their version of scripture they prefer. You will find this tool just to the top left side of this blog.

When you install "RefTagger" you set your version, like mine is NASB, however as for me the coolest thing is, if you own any Libronix Bible Software, the "RefTagger" will actually launch the program, if you look at a scripture reference, like Jn 12:2 there is a lilttle "L" and when you click that it will launch your Libronix Bible Software. What is even cooler, and I have yet to use it or figure it out completely but it appears that if you do a study in Libronix you can also add an icon to any Libronix links that you create manually, that links to most resources and reports.

This is proving to be a very valuable tool for site users and for those who own the Logos software.

Well if you would like to get yours you can get it for free by following the link "Tagger" in the title of this post.

In His Service, For His Glory!

Steven

Happy Thanksgiving

Well it has been a year since our disaster Thanksgiving and in one sense a ton of things have changed but unfortunately in other respects nothing has changed. So my wish for Thanksgiving is best communicated through prayer.

Father God, I come before You on this eve before Thanksgiving to pray that Your Spirit would be poured on Your church and that each an every person counted Yours would begin to live their lives as You will, forsaking all that is against You and counted evil by You, Lord that we would forsake even the appearance of wrong-doing for no other reason than for Your Glory. Lord help us all be ever aware of everything that we have to be thankful for. Lord I pray for those who do not know You, that those who know You would not waste another day in their comfy place and bring Your truth and Your witness to lost every opprotunity that You provide. Father I thank You so much for this life You have given, Lord I thank You for the blessings, I thank You for friends and family, I thank You for Your word, Lord I thank You for trials and hardships. Father most of all I thank You for Your Son, and for Your forgiveness. Jesus I thank You for Your sacrifice for me. Jesus help me this day and every day live my life aware of what You have done and may I motivated to live my life as a sacrifice to You for Your Glory. Jesus it is in Your name I pray Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving!
If you do not know the Lord of Glory may You turn and seek Him know!
If you do know Him, go and make sure everyone you know, understands how much God loves them and the sacrifice He made for them that while they were still sinners Jesus died for them!

God bless you all!


Steve