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WHITE AS SNOW

A Winter Wonderland Atop Virginia's White Top Mountain Stirs Christmas Reflections of Jesus - the One Born to Make us Whiter than Snow. The Two Books - Fine Art Photography by NV Deremer

A Winter Wonderland Atop Virginia’s White Top Mountain Stirs Christmas Reflections of Jesus – the One Born to Make us Whiter than Snow. “7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities.” Psalm 51:7-8, NASB1995 On…

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TEARS FOR CHRISTMAS?

Guest contributor Robert Shashy discusses the significance of Advent in a contemporary context, emphasizing the hope, peace, joy, and love found in Christ - and how these realities call us to love others - especially those on the outskirts, well.

The 4 ChaptersThe Art of Table Setting (Part 2): Nobody Wants Crocodile Tears For Christmas By Contributing Author, Robert Shashy But Jesus wept for you. John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible. It’s two words: “Jesus wept”. Why would I bring up a passage detailing the end of Jesus’ ministry in the introduction of an Advent and Christmas article? Well, for such a short verse, it keys in…

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PRAGMATISM: CHURCH KILLER

Brothers, may we never be mere pragmatists - A call to Bible-centered decision-making! Join us as we explore how the loss of Gospel-focus and the rise of pragmatic decision making work together to undermine the health of a church and sow the seeds of its

How the loss of Gospel-focus and the rise of pragmatic decision making work together to undermine the health of a church and sow the seeds of its eventual destruction. In the fall of 2021, I found myself both captivated and reeling as, episode after episode, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill unpacked sobering and saddening accounts of how the once-thriving Mars Hill church in Seattle, WA – and many…

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DIVISION'S MORAL DECEIT

Face it - we live in divisive times. Join us as we examining how the cultures' moral veneration of division has come home to roost in the Evangelical church... and the devastating consequences it has wrought. What counsel does the Scriptures offer?

Examining how the cultures’ moral veneration of division has come home to roost in the Evangelical church with devastating consequences. But what counsel does the Scriptures offer to help us right the ship before it’s too late? “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My…

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THE ART OF TABLE SETTING

Contributing author, Robert Shashy, looks through the window of entertainment to explore both the culture's longing for the perfect family Thanksgiving, and the realization that such holidays are often wrought with turmoil and disappointment. Finally, he

The 4 ChaptersBobs, Buddies, and Goodest Boys By Contributing Author, Robert Shashy Based on recent data, Thanksgiving is the most popular holiday in the United States. An estimated 80 million people will travel at least 50 miles between the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the Monday that follows. Over 250 million dollars will be spent on food and beverages for Thanksgiving. Typically, 44…

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING?

Contributing author, Robert Shashy, considers how St Augustine's view of love and justice can help us navigate the complexities of voting in a free society.

The 4 ChaptersThank You For Voting? By Contributing Author, Robert Shashy I originally wrote this article, intending it to be released prior to the election. The Holy Spirit had other, better intentions. As I sit down to rework what I’ve written, it is the afternoon of election day in the USA. Taking national media outlets for what they’re worth, the presidential election is a virtual tie hours…

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DON'T BE LIKE ENOCH

Contributing author, Robert Shashy, asks what Flannery O’Connor's short story, Enoch and the Gorilla, can teach us about temptation, salvation, and the the spiritual clothes we put on?

The 4 ChaptersDon’t Monkey Around With Sin Like Enoch Emory By Contributing Author, Robert Shashy Welcome to the first installment of The 4 Chapters. My name is Robert Shashy, and I am a seminary student and aspiring Church leader. It is my goal that these articles will help connect literature, film, and various other cultural happenings with Christian living and doctrine for the 21st Century…

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FORGIVENESS IS HARD

In a world that screams for justice and cherishes the grudge, how can the counter-cultural concept of Christian forgiveness help us point to Jesus? Young Adult Contributor, P. L. Cartwright, tackles this question head on.

In a world that screams for justice and cherishes the grudge, how can the counter-cultural concept of Christian forgiveness help us point to Jesus? By Young Adult Contributor, Philip Cartwright In today’s society, it is unbelievably common to see and partake in all forms of hatred. I myself am no stranger to fighting people I deem to be worthy of hate over the internet. Often, we get so caught…

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...BUT IS IT BEST?

How can asking the right question equip us, by God’s grace and through the Spirit’s power, to live a radical Christ-centered life? In this article, we explore what it means to live our lives by asking the question, Is it best?

How can asking the right question equip us, by God’s grace and through the Spirit’s power, to live a radical Christ-centered life? Back in the early 2000’s, when I was working at my first real job out of college as a lowly marketing guy, our company’s leadership encouraged us to read and adopt many of the flavor-of-the-day inspirational business books of that era. I learned about Good to Great,…

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A MODEST PROPOSAL

Wading into controversy... What is the nature of Biblical modesty, what is it not, and how do we apply objective commands to subjective convictions in a way that loves others and glorifies God?

What is the nature of Biblical modesty, what is it not, and how do we apply objective commands to subjective convictions in a way that loves others and glorifies God? Note: This post discusses human sexuality, and while nothing explicit is mentioned, it addresses sexual sin in general, and is probably not suitable for younger audiences.  Full disclosure – my standards of modesty are not…

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KNOW WHICH WILL?

How are we to know God's will with certainty - and in what way is God's will ours to know? In this article, explore the two expressions of God's will, and five practical ways we can seek to know His will in the difficult decisions of this life.

How does the Bible describe God’s will, and in what way, if any, are we called to know it? David is a bright young high school senior trying to make sense of the near-endless buffet of colleges and degree programs available to him.  David is a Christian, and has been told that if he seeks God and prays for guidance, God will clearly direct his path.  But despite months of praying, he’s still as…

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ENEMY LOVE?

How are Christians to relate to an increasingly hostile and alien culture? Do we respond in kind, fighting for the values we hold dear, or does Christ call us to a better, more productive way?

How are Christians to relate to an increasingly hostile and alien culture? Just as I presented some historical context, let’s broaden our view a bit to gain some important Biblical context.  Up above, we saw through the example of the Old Testament, that despite being God’s chosen people, there were times when Israel disobeyed and in turn suffered calamity and banishment under the just judgment…

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Job 1:21-22

BibleART - Take comfort, Our God is sovereign in the valley of sorrow and suffering! "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God." Job 1:21f, NASB 1995

“He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,And naked I shall return there.The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” Job 1:21-22, NASB 1995 Download a shareable passage or quote, purchase museum-quality wall art, or simply stop by to view our full Bible Art Gallery here.

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1 Corinthians 2:2

BibleART - A Call to focus on Christ in 2024: "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.e" 1 Corinthians 2:2, NASB 1995

“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2, NASB 1995 Download a shareable passage or quote, purchase museum-quality wall art, or simply stop by to view our full Bible Art Gallery here.

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Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

BibleART Special: Select Resolution of Jonathan Edwards as an example of one who set Godward resolutions to pursue Christ with all his might!

As a teenager, Jonathan Edwards penned 70 resolutions by which he aimed to live a Godward, faithful life. He recognized that these resolutions were impossible, apart from the power of God, and placed them all in his Savior’s hands, trusting in God’s wisdom, timing and power for the daily work of faithful Christian living. If’ you’d like to see all of Edwards’ resolutions, hop over to our article,…

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REMARKABLE RESOLUTIONS

The Two Books explores the Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards and the Power of God to accomplish them in our own lives as He perfectly ordains.

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards and the Power of God to Accomplish them as He Ordains There is no doubt that Jonathan Edwards was a remarkable young man even among his contemporaries – and all the more when contrasted with today’s average teenager.  Though coined near the turn of the century, it wasn’t until the postwar boom of the 1940s that the term “teenager” entered common use.  Today,…

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DAWN: AN ADVENT ALLEGORY

Merry Christmas! We hope you enjoy this Two Books Christmas Meditation on the link between The Rising Sun and The Risen Son. May the glory of Christ's incarnation be your joy, hope, peace and love as you celebrate our risen Savior's birth!

A Two Books Christmas Meditation on The Rising Sun and The Risen Son While I am far from a morning person, as a landscape photographer, I’ve learned to be a student of the dawn – to scout for just the right spot in relation to the sun’s rising, to study the clouds to predict what type of sunrise we might (or might not) enjoy, and to search for just the right subject in the foreground to interact…