Plants of the Bible - ODU Plant Site

Plants of the Bible - ODU Plant Site: "A Bible expositor is usually not a trained botanist, nor is the average botanist trained in Bible exposition. Botanical expertise is usually not a problem in Bible exposition except when it comes to explaining Bible portions in which plants play a prominent part, e.g. in some of the parables told by our Lord. The largely agrarian audience addressed by Jesus can be assumed to have enough knowledge of plants to understand the substance and nuances of his teachings involving plants. Most modern Bible readers, on the other hand, may miss or misinterpret some of these teachings through a lack of acquaintance with nature in the Holy Land. "



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Franklin Graham: Praying for the Nations | Story | BGEA

Franklin Graham: Praying for the Nations | Story | BGEA: "ust a couple of weeks ago I was in Japan holding a Crusade in the city of Sapporo. After preaching the Gospel the first night, I began to give an invitation for individuals to respond to Jesus Christ. I said, “If you’re not sure your soul is secure in the hands of almighty God, you can be sure right now,” and then I paused for the interpreter to repeat the words in Japanese."



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Panel Looks at Christianity's Rapid Growth in China Despite Persecution

Panel Looks at Christianity's Rapid Growth in China Despite Persecution: "A panel of experts on Christianity in China at a Brookings Institution event titled "Christianity in China: A Force for Change?" on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. From left to right: Rev. Zhang Boli, head pastor of Washington Harvest Chinese Christian Church; Richard Bush, director of Brookings' Center for East Asia Policy Studies; Liu Peng, professor at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Science; and Carsten Vala, assistant professor at the Department of Political Science at Loyola University Maryland"



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Why Christianity Went Bust in Britain « Biola Magazine

Why Christianity Went Bust in Britain « Biola Magazine: "The Death of Christian Britain” is a rather provocative book title. Did Christianity really die in Britain? I read this academic monograph by Callum G. Brown, a professor of social and cultural history at the University of Glasgow, when it first came out in 2001. It was a fascinating and sobering study that painted a rather desperate picture of Christianity’s current state and future in that country."



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Why Christianity Went Bust in Britain « Biola Magazine

Why Christianity Went Bust in Britain « Biola Magazine: "The Death of Christian Britain” is a rather provocative book title. Did Christianity really die in Britain? I read this academic monograph by Callum G. Brown, a professor of social and cultural history at the University of Glasgow, when it first came out in 2001. It was a fascinating and sobering study that painted a rather desperate picture of Christianity’s current state and future in that country."



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What is the biblical significance of the number seven/7?

What is the biblical significance of the number seven/7?: " Throughout the Bible, God often gives symbolic significance to mundane items or concepts. For example, in Genesis 9:12–16, God makes the rainbow the sign of His promise to Noah (and, by extension, to all mankind) that He will not flood the whole earth again. God uses bread as a representation of His presence with His people (Numbers 4:7); of the gift of eternal life (John 6:35); and of the broken body of Christ, sacrificed for our sins (Matthew 26:26). The rainbow and the bread are obvious symbols in Scripture. Less obvious meanings seem to be attached to some numbers in the Bible, especially the number 7, which at times provides a special emphasis in the text."



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How did the apostle Paul die?

How did the apostle Paul die?: "The Bible does not say how the apostle Paul died. Writing in 2 Timothy 4:6–8, Paul seems to be anticipating his soon demise: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”"



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How old was Mary when Jesus was born?

How old was Mary when Jesus was born?: " While the Bible does not specifically state how old Mary was when Jesus was born, most Christian historians speculate that she was around 15—16 years of age at the time of Jesus’ birth. According to Jewish customs at the time, a young woman might become betrothed to a young man as early as 12 years of age, though the consummation of their marriage through ceremony and physical intimacy would not happen until they were legally married, many months or even years later."



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Question of the Week

Question of the Week: " It goes without saying that the only things of eternal value in this world are those that are eternal. Life in this world is temporal, not eternal, and therefore, the only part of life that has eternal value is that which lasts through eternity. Clearly, the most important thing in this world that has true eternal value is having a relationship with Jesus Christ, as the free gift of eternal life comes only through Him to all those who believe (John 3:16). As Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Everyone is going to live somewhere for all of eternity, Christians and non-Christians alike. And the only eternal destiny other than the one in heaven with Christ is one that provides everlasting punishment for those who reject Him (Matthew 25:46)."



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The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Plug it in!

The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Plug it in!: "My friend Todd Friel lived in Minnesota for many years. Living there during the winter means cold weather and dry skin, so his new bride recommended that they purchase a water softener for their whole house. Water softeners were expensive and they spent hundreds of dollars to have it professionally installed, but immediately noticed how amazingly soft their clothes were. They also noticed that they needed far less lotion. It was wonderful."



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