Albert Narracott loved the thoroughbred horse from the moment he saw
him. When his father purchased the animal in a moment of pride, Albert
vowed to take care of him. He named his beloved horse Joey and instantly
set to work on training him.

Set in Europe during World War I, Steven Spielberg’s War Horse follows
Albert and Joey on an incredible journey of courage and adventure.
Played by newcomer Jeremy Irvine, Albert teaches Joey how to plow his
father’s field for planting, despite tremendous opposition from his
family and townspeople who do not think the small mare has the stamina.

When Albert’s father, Ted Narracott, sells Joey to the British
military in a moment of desperation, young Albert is devastated and
pleads with the soldier who purchased Joey to let him serve alongside
his animal. Capt. Nicholls (Tom Hiddleston, Thor) refuses because Albert is too young, but he agrees to return the horse when the war is over.

Albert soon finds out Capt. Nicholls has died in battle, and he fears
Joey has met the same fate. But the brave horse makes his way through
Europe as we watch him become acquired by German soldiers and then cared
for by a young girl and her grandfather in France.

Joey is eventually dragged back into battle and forced to haul heavy
artillery for soldiers intent on completing their mission with no
thought to the consequences the horses face. Though the thoroughbred
escapes, racing through ravaged lands, he entangles himself along the
way in barbed wire fences.

As viewers, we’re taken through a gripping journey of triumph,
sadness, hope and joy. Albert joins the war when he’s old enough in an
effort to find his dear horse. With Joey’s tenacity and Albert’s love,
it is hard not to believe these two will be reunited again—as impossible
as it may seem.

Because it is set in the middle of WWI, War Horse features
violence. Several battle scenes depict dead soldiers and horses strewn
on the battlefield. Two German traitors are executed and throughout the
film, horses are treated brutally. Albert is gassed in a battle scene,
and afterward he is badly scarred around the eyes.

Spielberg puts his own touch on the film, based on a young adult
novel that was adapted into an award-winning play. Though promoted
heavily among the “faith-based community,” War Horse doesn’t
contain overtly Christian messages beyond such elements as loyalty,
friendship and laying down your life for another—even if it’s a horse.

Characters mention God a handful of times, as when a down-on-his-luck
Ted Narracott tells his wife: “I used to believe God gave each man his
fair portion of bad luck. Now I don’t believe that anymore.” And when
Capt. Nicholls and Joey enter their first battle, the soldiers shout,
“Fear God! Honor the King!”

Though Spielberg’s latest wartime project has a heartwarming message
and contains no sexual content or noticeable profanity, the movie earns
its PG-13 rating for intense battle sequences. Families with young
children may opt to choose another movie on its Christmas Day release.
But those with teenagers will enjoy the tale of a young boy and the
incredible, unconditional love he has for a horse that is more friend
than farm animal.

Albert Narracott loved the thoroughbred horse from the moment he saw
him. When his father purchased the animal in a moment of pride, Albert
vowed to take care of him. He named his beloved horse Joey and instantly
set to work on training him.

Set in Europe during World War I, Steven Spielberg’s War Horse follows
Albert and Joey on an incredible journey of courage and adventure.
Played by newcomer Jeremy Irvine, Albert teaches Joey how to plow his
father’s field for planting, despite tremendous opposition from his
family and townspeople who do not think the small mare has the stamina.

When Albert’s father, Ted Narracott, sells Joey to the British
military in a moment of desperation, young Albert is devastated and
pleads with the soldier who purchased Joey to let him serve alongside
his animal. Capt. Nicholls (Tom Hiddleston, Thor) refuses because Albert is too young, but he agrees to return the horse when the war is over.

Albert soon finds out Capt. Nicholls has died in battle, and he fears
Joey has met the same fate. But the brave horse makes his way through
Europe as we watch him become acquired by German soldiers and then cared
for by a young girl and her grandfather in France.

Joey is eventually dragged back into battle and forced to haul heavy
artillery for soldiers intent on completing their mission with no
thought to the consequences the horses face. Though the thoroughbred
escapes, racing through ravaged lands, he entangles himself along the
way in barbed wire fences.

As viewers, we’re taken through a gripping journey of triumph,
sadness, hope and joy. Albert joins the war when he’s old enough in an
effort to find his dear horse. With Joey’s tenacity and Albert’s love,
it is hard not to believe these two will be reunited again—as impossible
as it may seem.

Because it is set in the middle of WWI, War Horse features
violence. Several battle scenes depict dead soldiers and horses strewn
on the battlefield. Two German traitors are executed and throughout the
film, horses are treated brutally. Albert is gassed in a battle scene,
and afterward he is badly scarred around the eyes.

Spielberg puts his own touch on the film, based on a young adult
novel that was adapted into an award-winning play. Though promoted
heavily among the “faith-based community,” War Horse doesn’t
contain overtly Christian messages beyond such elements as loyalty,
friendship and laying down your life for another—even if it’s a horse.

Characters mention God a handful of times, as when a down-on-his-luck
Ted Narracott tells his wife: “I used to believe God gave each man his
fair portion of bad luck. Now I don’t believe that anymore.” And when
Capt. Nicholls and Joey enter their first battle, the soldiers shout,
“Fear God! Honor the King!”

Though Spielberg’s latest wartime project has a heartwarming message
and contains no sexual content or noticeable profanity, the movie earns
its PG-13 rating for intense battle sequences. Families with young
children may opt to choose another movie on its Christmas Day release.
But those with teenagers will enjoy the tale of a young boy and the
incredible, unconditional love he has for a horse that is more friend
than farm animal.

A man who became a Christian bought a
Bible. He said, “Have you seen this thing?”

The Bible is daunting. At roughly
770,000 words, that’s about 2,500 normal book pages–equivalent to 12
non-fiction books!

Bible reading falls into that special
category of things we all know are important but struggle to do, like
diet and exercise.

Every year since 1988 I’ve read the
Bible cover to cover. This is certainly not required, but I’ve
learned some things along the way that may be helpful to you.

As you might suspect, I’ve encountered
every imaginable distraction from lack of motivation, inability to
concentrate, and outright laziness to barking dogs and making the
mistake of checking my email just before I planned to read!

There have been times of emotional
weariness, physical tiredness, and spiritual warfare. Nevertheless, I
succeed because I have a plan.

If you already have a plan, great. But
if you don’t–and even if you do–here are seven tips to help you
make the most of reading your Bible. At the end is an exercise, “My
Bible Reading Plan,” for you to complete.

1. A Purpose for Reading
First, what is your purpose for
reading the Bible? When I attend a meeting I like to ask, “What’s
the purpose of our meeting today?” That way, we tend to stay on
target.

Uppermost, I read the Bible for
communion with God. First and foremost, Christianity is a
relationship with the Father who lavishes His love on me. When I read
the Bible I am literally spending time with the living God who
delights in me. The Bible, along with prayer, allows us to experience
the holy presence of God for a few moments. Communion is what keeps
me coming back. For everything else, there’s google. I also read the
Bible for discipleship–to grow and mature in faith.

So, my purpose to read the Bible is for
communion (knowing) and discipleship (growing).

What is your purpose?

2. A Fixed Routine
Second, what is the best time of day,
frequency, place, and amount of time for you to read the Bible? My
best time to read is early in the morning, because that’s when I’m
fresh. I grab a cup of coffee and settle into a favorite chair for an
unhurried time of prayer and reading the word of God. If it fits your
personality, it’s a good idea to have a set schedule.

Daily Bible reading (often called a
“quiet time” or “personal devotions”) makes sense
for the same reasons we recharge our cell phones. Of course, things
come up–an argument with your spouse, an alarm that doesn’t go off,
early meetings, or cranky kids. On average, I read about five days a
week.

How much time you spend reading is
completely a matter of personal preference, but I like to read one
day from an annual Bible reading plan.

What routine works best for you?

3. Pray Before Reading
Third, how should you pray when reading
your Bible? It’s a good idea to pray when you read. How I pray
connects to my purpose: communion and discipleship. I start by
bringing myself into the presence and power of God. I usually start
by praying,

“Father, I come to meet with
You. Please meet with me, Your much loved son. (Then I will usually
add a few sentences, mostly repeating Scripture about God’s love for
me and my love for Him).

• “Jesus, I come to meet with
You. Please meet with me, Your much loved servant. (Again, I add
sentences like, “I surrender my life today to Your Lordship.”)

• “Holy Spirit, I come to meet
with You. Please meet with me, Your much loved vessel. (Plus the
additional sentences like, “Lord, I invite You to disciple my
heart, to reveal what’s inside of me, and to speak to me.”

• Also, I pray about things as I read.

How do you pray, or want to pray, when
reading your Bible?

4. It’s Always Good to Have a Goal
Fourth, what is your goal for reading
the Bible? My friend Tom Skinner said, “When you set a goal, you
are literally writing history in advance.”

If you’re new to the Bible, your goal
might be, for example, to read a chapter a day in the New Testament
five days a week. (If you did this you would read all 260 chapters of
the New Testament in one year: 52 weeks x 5 days = 260 chapters).

I don’t micromanage my Bible reading.
Instead, I set one annual goal each year. That’s to read through the
Bible cover to cover annually. I don’t worry if I miss a day or two.
Call me “inconsistently” consistent. I like the flexibility
of chasing down rabbit trails, such as looking up all the verses in
the Bible on, say, “God’s will.” As I write this, I’m 20
days behind in The One Year Bible. It doesn’t matter. By December 31
I’ll catch up.

You may prefer shorter goals. God has
no set formula for Bible reading.

What is your goal for reading the
Bible?

5. Increase Your Comprehension
Fifth, what can you do to increase your
learning and retention? I mark up my Bible. Some may consider the
Bible too reverent to mark. But from a learning theory perspective,
writing things down improves my comprehension. I’ve got margin notes,
underlines, arrows, check marks, asterisks, and a few chicken
scratches I can no longer decipher!

You can also journal in a notebook, on
a computer, on scraps of paper, or in the margins of your Bible. I do
them all.

You may concentrate better with a
display screen or a hard copy. If you learn better by listening than
reading, the Bible is available in all popular audio formats. It’s
totally up to you.

Memorization makes up an important part
of my plan. I keep a list of verses I’m working on. At this point in
my journey, it’s rare to find myself in any situation without a verse
coming to mind.

Another part of your plan could be to
teach the Bible. Preparing Bible lessons drives me deeper into the
Bible than anything else.

What can you do to increase your
learning and retention?

6. What to Do When Your Mind Wanders
Sixth, what will you do when your mind
wanders? My mind wanders all the time. And to be honest, I like it.
There are four possibilities when my mind wanders: the world, the
flesh, the devil, or the Spirit. When your mind wanders, you have to
figure out which one it is. If it is the world, the flesh or the
devil, then of course you want to reel it back in.

However, if I read a text and my mind
goes racing to a relationship that’s not right, or I am convicted of
a sin, or prompted to some good deed, then that is the Spirit and I
let that happen. When I read a phrase or sentence that impacts me, I
like to linger awhile, letting the Word soak into my soul.

What if your mind wanders because
you’re tired and exhausted? When I get that way, I try to read out
loud. If I still can’t concentrate I just stop and live to read
another day!

What can you do when your mind wanders?

7. Know What Keeps You Coming Back
for More
Seventh, figure out what keeps you
coming back for more. My commitment is to stay at it each day until I
have what I call “a moment of humility,” an overwhelming
sense of God. It could be an insight, a sense of awe, or feeling
completely and totally loved. It’s a moment when I feel the power and
presence of God washing over me. I’m not looking for a self-help
book. I want the truth. The truth is what’s relevant and applicable.
That’s what keeps me coming back.

What keeps, or will keep, you coming
back for more?

Assignment: Consolidate
your answers to the questions above into “My Bible Reading Plan”
below.

My Bible Reading Plan
1. What is your purpose for reading the
Bible?

2. What time of day suits you best?

3. How often do you read, or plan to
read, the Bible?

4. Where’s a comfortable place to read
for you?

5. How much time do you spend, or want
to spend, reading the Bible?

6. How do you pray, or want to pray,
when reading your Bible?

7. What is your goal?

8. What can you do to increase your
learning and retention?

9. What can you do when your mind
wanders?

10. What keeps, or will keep, you
coming back for more?

In my new book Man Alive, I show
men God’s plan to harness that raw, restless energy we feel into a
powerful spiritual life. Read the first chapter at .

Patrick Morley began
teaching a weekly Bible study to a handful of men on Friday mornings
in March 1986. This group grew to the 160 men who meet weekly in
Winter Park, Fla. Since 2000, Internet technology has enabled
thousands of men from around the world to participate each week by
viewing or listening to the study. Pat is the author of The Man
in the Mirror, a landmark best-seller for men drawn from Pat’s
own search for a deeper relationship with God. For more teachings by Morely, go to ,
or visit his ministry online at .

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. —Hebrews 5:12, KJV

There comes a time when you must begin to help others. I know some Christians who after years are still needing the same old kind of help. It has not entered their minds to help anybody else. They figure if they once get sorted out, then they will be on their way to help somebody else. Yet years later they are still in much the same condition! Often the best way to solve your problem is to get your eyes completely off yourself and start helping somebody else.

What a pity, then, that these Hebrew Christians were right back to square one, needing milk, not solid food. It is a blatant rebuke. If milk is the only diet suited to a certain physical condition, it shows that one is in a serious state, but spiritually the writer means that one is in an immature but potentially dangerous state. It suggests an arrested development.

So if a person has an arrested development spiritually, then no matter how many more years he lives, he does not automatically get any better. Here is the person who has been converted and is going fine for six months, five years, or ten years, but then something happens. Maybe disappointment in their life. Maybe the loss of a job. And so the person is tried. But if he or she does not dignify the trial, if they do not learn to forgive, if they do not grow in grace and walk in the light, something backfires internally; they might continue going to church, but there is an arrested development, and they never move on.

I have thought about this in connection with myself, because I am absolutely sure that I have been like them, yet God is patient with me.

There was hope for these Hebrew Christians, and there is hope for each of us who hear God speaking in these lines.

Excerpted from Are You Stone Deaf to the Spirit or Rediscovering God? (Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 1999).

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. —Luke 2:11,13-14

The angel that appeared to the shepherds that glorious night made an astounding statement. The shepherds knew Isaiah 43:11: “I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.” But now, an angel declares that a baby in a manger in Bethlehem is to be called “Savior.” He is not “Christ your Lord” but “Christ the Lord,” sovereign Lord of all creation.

The angel was suddenly accompanied by “a great heavenly host.” Together they began to praise the One they served perpetually in heaven, the One who had now entered time wrapped in human flesh. The Messiah had come, and the heavens resounded with the praise of angels.

Should we not do the same? Do your lips constantly praise Him? Do you always bless and never curse His name. How will you give Jesus praise today? We have been brought from death to life, from darkness into light. Let the heavens resound with our praise!

Jesus, my lips resound with the unending praise
of Your salvation. You are the only One who
could bring peace on earth and good
will toward men. Amen.

OFFENDER #1: If you talk in a different voice when the camera is turned on: Everywhere else on television we see reality. Love it or hate it, reality programming has left an indelible mark on the industry. So when you appear on your program with your “classic TV voice” it sticks out like a sore thumb. You know who I’m talking about. Numerous ministry leaders who are gracious, authentic, and engaging when talking with friends over lunch. But turn on the camera, and they become someone else.

The television commercial business is a great example of the change. National spots used to be narrated by men with powerful voices. Deep voices that resonated with power and authority. But listen to a commercial today. More often than not, it sounds like a regular guy–or woman. The advertiser knows the connection doesn’t come from a perfect voice, but from the sound of someone like you and me. Watch regular television and listen to the difference. Stop trying to be bigger than life. Be real. Speak normally. It doesn’t make you more anointed or powerful when you try to sound like God. Talk like everyone else, and you’ll be amazed at the connection.

The “over the top” era is done.

OFFENDER #2:  If on TV you wear different clothes or hairstyles than everyone else: Back in the glory days of “variety” programming, stars wore some pretty weird outfits, and the audience loved it. When I took the tour through Graceland–the estate of the late Elvis Presley–I marveled at the collection of his outrageous concert outfits. Unbelievable stuff. A walk through the historical section of a prop and costume department in Hollywood is a similar experience. But that was a different time.

While I’m always open to change, as of this writing, Nehru jackets are done. Big gold chains are for hip-hop artists and gangsters. Trust me. Everyone knows that’s a toupee on your head. T.D. Jakes is cool. White preachers that try to dress like T.D. are not. T-shirts under sport coats went out with Miami Vice. Spandex is not for TV–ever.

And when it comes to TV evangelists, what’s the thing about hair? Do I really have to elaborate? Years ago, I filmed one offender deep in the desert of the Middle East for a TV segment. The wind was raging, and his comb-over was so huge, he went through nearly a case of hairspray to keep it under control. When he was finished, his hair looked more like a NASCAR helmet. The desert sands were blowing all around him, and my crew was fighting to hold down the equipment, but that comb-over stayed firm without a hair out of place. If a nuclear attack had happened at that moment, I wanted under that helmet of hair. Study the wardrobe and hairstyles of secular TV hosts today. It’s remarkably normal stuff.  Tasteful and subtle. Now–quick–switch back to a Christian TV program.

Ouch.

Now to be fair, let me turn the tables and say something to today’s “hip” young pastors: It’s time to stop wearing those striped shirts with the shirttails out when you preach.  Wearing jeans and open collar shirts is fine. But styles change and it’s time to change with it.   Hundreds of young contemporary pastors all look alike today–jeans, striped shirts, tails out. And while you’re tossing out those shirts, dump anything with big designs on it. You know what I’m talking about–the t-shirts with the big printed crosses, or the torn up sport coats with stuff written on them.

The point is, people change, trends change, and fashion changes. When every pastor in America looks alike, nothing is distinctive anymore.

OFFENDER #3: If you use the phrases, “Shake the Nations,” “Transform Your Life,” or “Touch the World” more than once in a 30-minute TV or radio program. Yes–I admit being guilty of these offenses in my day, but I went into treatment and I’m better now.

The point is about hype. There’s just too much of it in religious media. When every CD set, book, or sermon from every preacher will change your life, then nothing will. The audience gets numb when the superlatives come in a continual flood. I always coach actors that during a dramatic scene, speaking in a loud voice all the time actually lessens the impact of the scene. When someone talks loud continually, after awhile, the audience simply filters it out.

Talking loud has impact, only after you’ve been speaking in a softer voice.  Contrast matters. Stop the hype. Yes, God can do amazing things. He can transform people’s lives. He can shake nations. But be realistic about your products and your ministry. Let other people say nice things about you. Modesty is a virtue. You’ll be amazed at the credibility you’ll gain with the audience.

OFFENDER #4: If the audience notices the furniture more than you. I was once asked for my thoughts on a particular Sunday morning program, and when I viewed the DVD, the first thing I noticed was the set design must have cost an absolute fortune. Not because it was creatively designed, but because it looked so expensive. It was almost all white, very elaborate, had a few gold touches, and generally, looked like the inside of a palace. For some reason I can’t figure out, we’ve come to think that we’ll gain more respect as Christian broadcasters if we create the illusion of a really expensive set. I made two comments to the pastor. First–why should I financially support your media ministry? Your set makes it appear you have all the money you’ll ever need.  Second, this environment is so far removed from my daily life, I can’t really relate to you or your message. He didn’t take my advice, and his audience continues to drop. (Well, what did you expect?)

I love a great setting for a program and our company has designed and built some amazing sets for our media clients. When it’s appropriate, it can make a huge impact because it places your message in a complimentary setting. Sets are important. But the program is about your message–not about you or your set. Keep that in perspective.

OFFENDER #5: If you’re still doing a talk show format with a monologue, a live band, and interviews. The comedy greats like Carson, Leno, Letterman and others have taken control of that territory, and plenty of others–especially in late night programming–are following in their footsteps. So let’s look at another approach. For some mysterious reason, certain Christian broadcasters think this format is sacred, and have tried it over and over and still haven’t succeeded. But by contrast, Oprah, Dr. Phil, Glenn Beck, and plenty of others have all done successful interview programs without the need of a live band, monologue, or the other trappings of late night TV.

Be bold. Be innovative. Stop copying other people and explore the right format that will showcase your gifts and talents–not look like someone else.

OFFENDER #6: If you’re still building altars of prayer requests people have sent in. It’s done for one reason–to impress the audience with numbers. If the audience can see that thousands of people responded, and the evangelist has built an altar from the requests, then maybe I should send in mine as well (and include a check.) As most of these points I’m listing indicate, this was started by well meaning people with the best of intentions. Truth be told, it was probably a good idea once. But when it’s done over and over, it simply loses it’s meaning.

An older generation was touched by big, expansive gestures, but a younger generation sees it for what it is–excessive manipulation.

Anytime you use an idea like this, make sure you’re sensitive to the issues of manipulation and exploitation. As I’ll say over and over throughout this book, we’re creating media for a generation that’s been sold to, marketed, and branded all their lives, and they’re the most media savvy generation in history. Be very careful that even with a well-intentioned idea, that it’s not perceived as a gimmick or publicity stunt.

OFFENDER #7: Finally, if the singing group on your program is called “The (insert name here) Singers.” I think this idea when out about the time of Lawrence Welk or The New Christy Minstrels. In junior high I was in “The New Creation Singers.” In seventh grade it was cool. It’s not now. The (insert TV evangelist name) Singers. You get it. Enough said.

The list of religious media indiscretions could continue, but you get my point. The production styles, creative ideas, fashion, or techniques that worked yesterday don’t always work today. Please remember that in listing these particular offences, I’m not commenting on the intentions or integrity of particular ministries who are still trying these worn out methods. I have the greatest respect for anyone trying to share their faith with the culture. But I’m commenting on the need to stop kicking a head horse, and start looking at a new method of transportation. Our job as communicators is to see the changes coming in the culture and adapt, so our message is as relevant now as it was yesterday–and will still be tomorrow.

During the height of the Sunni/Shiite clash, Jeremy and Jessica Courtney moved their family to war-torn Iraq—to sell shoes. Now they’re using the 3,000-year-old Kurdish footwear business as a way to provide lifesaving medical care to Iraqi children.

Klash shoes inspired Jeremy Courtney of the Preemptive Love Coalition (PLC) to launch “Buy Shoes, Save Lives.” As a result, some cobblers sell the woven shoes on international markets to help fund the children’s care.

The effect of chemical warfare, poor prenatal care, malnutrition or intrafamily marriage has caused tens of thousands of Iraqi children to have a common birth defect: literal holes in their hearts. 

“These kids broke our hearts,” says Courtney, executive director of PLC and a musician, songwriter and businessman. “We determined to start an organization that would address their need for surgery and provide them with hope and a future.”

Though outsiders questioned the move, Courtney couldn’t sit idle after he learned that 30,000 Iraqi children were in need of life-saving surgeries. He and his wife started the organization with their friend Cody Fisher.

Since then, PLC has contracted the world’s leading humanitarian heart surgeon, Dr. William Novick. He is now developing pediatric cardiac surgery centers around the country. The effort, dubbed Remedy Mission, enables Iraqi doctors and medical staff to be trained in performing heart surgeries.

In just 11 months Remedy Missions has enabled 118 children to receive lifesaving heart surgeries and provided Iraqi doctors and nurses with 30,000 hours of training. 

The results are astounding, Courtney says. Today heart surgeries cost an average of $670 per child—a minuscule amount in comparison to what they once cost. 

“We believe Iraq needs a win right now,” he says. “Iraqis desperately need to see progress. They need to believe again that the American people—even the people of Jesus—are on their side.”

Hanukkah is celebration is known in the Jewish calendar as the Festival of Lights, but the word “Hanukkah” literally means “dedication” in Hebrew and comes from how the temple was rededicated to God.

The Lord promised to make Israel “a light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6). Yeshua said of Believers, “You are the light of the world … Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16).

We have seen single mothers who emigrated from Ethiopia telling their children, as they receive your gifts, that people half the world away love them. Elderly Holocaust survivors have told us that receiving winter blankets and heaters from donors outside of Israel has helped them to learn how to trust non-Jews again. Young IDF soldiers without any family in the country are as brave as any Maccabee, but they can be terribly lonely. When they put on the backpacks that you have donated, a funny thing happens; rather than being weighed down, they appear to carry their burdens more lightly.

As I think about the miracle of Hanukkah, how only a tiny amount of oil proved sufficient to light the great Menorah in the Temple for eight days until more help could be found, I think of how those of you who have stood by and supported Israel are the inheritors of that same miracle. There are only a few faithful compared to the great need, and so it is miraculous how much your love and faith has accomplished.

There are many still left in darkness–the darkness of poverty and the darkness of despair. We all have much more work to do to fulfill Yeshua’s high calling. So, as we celebrate this year, let us expect miracles. Know that with every gift you send to Israel, “Light is sown like seed for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11). That is a Festival of Lights worth celebrating!

Barry and Batya Segal are co-founders of Vision for Israel.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. —Revelation 20:12, KJV

The most wonderful thing that ever happens is when Jesus reveals Himself to a person. If it happens to you, then remember that He is bestowing on you an honor and a dignity higher than anything the world affords, for none other than the Son of God has revealed Himself to you.

It is He who gives you life. You may think that you arrived in this world by some freak chance and life has no purpose or meaning: things happen at random, there is chaos, and you are a part of it and you conclude that when you die, you will be annihilated like any other animal. But God created you in His own image (Gen. 1:27), and He says, “I gave you life and I put you on earth for a purpose.”

Yet not only is God the Creator, but also it is He who will bring all things to an end. Material things are not permanent. Life itself is transitory in nature: we meet friends for a while, and then we no longer see them. However, the ultimate thing to realize is that it will be God who will end all things and who will dissolve the whole of creation unto Himself (2 Pet. 3:10).

However, one part of His creation will survive when the judgment is over: that part made in His likeness. The human race is the pinnacle of God’s creation. We are not plants; we are not just animals; we are men and women! And someday God will summon us to give an account of the way we have lived.

What will happen then? We find the answer in Revelation 20. We discover there that some people will die twice. Nobody disputes that we die once, but have you heard of the second death? No matter how important we are or how insignificant, everybody will stand before God. 

Excerpted from A Vision of Jesus (Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 1999).

It’s no secret that Franklin Graham once described himself as the prodigal son—but why is an obscure pastor calling on the son of one of America’s most beloved evangelists to repent now?

“Graham is misleading Christians to vote against scripture for Mormon Mitt Romney,” says Steven Andrew, president of USA Christian Ministries. “God cannot bless us for betraying Jesus and voting for a non-Christian. No one comes to God except through Jesus—this includes the USA.”

Earlier this week, Graham told CBN Christians could vote for someone who is a Mormon. Andrew is calling on Graham to retract his statement.

“Yes, the fact that Mitt Romney is a Mormon doesn’t bother me at all,” Graham said. “You can have the nicest guy and he can be a Christian and just wonderful but have absolutely no clue as to how to run a country, you don’t want that … Mitt Romney is a very capable fellow, I know him. I know Newt Gingrich, another capable person. Michele Bachmann, a very capable lady. Rick Santorum, I like a lot, very gifted guy, a very sharp person and so there are some good candidates out there.”

But Andrew is calling him out, saying Graham overlooked Scriptures like Exodus 18:21 and 2 Samuel 23:3 when he made his statements.

“Mormonism is secretive, recognizes none others and adds to the Bible. We can’t have a president missing a true relationship with God. Do we want God to bless America?” Andrew asked. “We don’t want Franklin to stop standing for righteousness. We respect Franklin and others and will respect them more when they repent.”

Graham could not immediately be reached for comment.