Association for Christian Development |
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ACD
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Click to visit ACD's web log ("blog") for
frequent commentary Current Topic: The Great Christmas Exchange; The Way to Happiness; Post Christian Chaos; Too Many People? Unity or Uniformity; Blood-Sucking Politicians; Pre-Adamic Man? also read new articles on the mysteries of biblical chronology |
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| Welcome to the ACD | Welcome! The Association for Christian Development is a Christian ministry dedicated to proclaiming the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God. We believe God has a Grand Plan for mankind which at its core calls us to become like Him. What is the ACD? |
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The Virtual Church
Streaming Available!! | |
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Below, a recent Virtual Church broadcast live-streamed over the web. Picture taken by a viewer he watched from his office in Oregon, USA. Tune in each week for an in-depth biblical exposition and inspirational message. Click for current ad in The Journal: One God Seminar: The Journal Ad and click for more Information on the 2011 One God Seminar in Pasadena including Speakers & Agenda To listen/view seminars click or paste this link: http://www.christianmonotheism.com/php/media_center/conference_displayer.php?chosen=year&mode=year&data=2011. Next seminar is in Austin, TX, June 2-3, 2012.
Recent Articles Waiting for the City Foursquare Now we wait…and hope. We wait for the arrival of God’s judgment and the bursting forth of the everlasting Kingdom of God. We also seek…and we endure. We, like Abraham, have in our minds a picture of a beautiful, shiny city coming from heaven to earth. It is to that city we seek our never-ending future in the presence of our Father and his Son. From the New Jerusalem a voice calls to us, “Come, lay down your burdens, sing for joy, and inherit the Kingdom prepared for you.” Soon the waiting will be over. Then what?
Last Man Standing
Often
the outcome of a conflict is decided by the actions of a single individual,
an election decided by a single vote, a family saved by the bravery of one,
When Churches Split Splits happen for a lot of reasons. Some for good reasons--core doctrinal truth or moral issues--but many are just silly disputes. Struggles over power and control are frequent causes of church divisions. Who is in charge and who calls the shots are realities that loom large in organizations. I've been through some big church splits and can look back at lessons learned and mistakes made. Churches are not immune from the negative workings of the human condition. But God is building a spiritual church that is strangely and delightfully immune from church splits. Read my firsthand experience and advice to those now dealing with their church being divided. --Ken Westby The First Intercessory Prayer The purpose of most prayer is to influence God. Why would you pray if God isn't listening, or if listening can't be moved to action to answer your prayer? We pray to get God to change things or do things we want done. Does God invite such prayers? Can he change what he was otherwise going to do in order to accommodate your request? What is the dynamic that exists between us and God regarding prayer? The first intercessory prayer recorded in Scripture gives insight into how God deals with us and how we are to deal with Him. Biblical Chronology: Reliable? What Does It Reveal? Can We Know "The End" Check out three new articles on the topic of Biblical Chronology. The Bible is not a history text book and doesn't pretend to be, but the historical events it records have been proven by modern research to be astonishingly accurate. Can the same be said for the Bible's attention to genealogies, dates and its frequent chronological notes. Clearly, Scripture is replete with numbers and times, but sorting them into a coherent time-line has proven a daunting task. Over the centuries hundreds of scholars have set their minds to tackle the task--with mixed results. Perhaps we are a step closer with the work of Noel Rude and Yves Peloquin. Read Yves introductory article on our website and then visit his website for the complete and detailed analysis of how Ezekiel chapters four and five are the keys to unlocking biblical chronology. The Sign of Jonah the Prophet This biblical research paper was prepared by the linguist and researcher Noel Rude. Most folks think of 3 days and three nights being the sign Jesus left, but there is much more to it than that. Read the rest of the story in Noel's paper. God's Boardroom How does God operate his vast cosmic enterprise? Answer: Wisely! God is a master delegator as well as a master designer and creator. He has organized his vast heavenly realm as it pleases him. This diverse and awesome administration of heavenly beings is supremely functional. God has not only delegated various and great authorities to these heavenly angelic powers, he has already begun to delegate far superior authorities to man. You and I fit in there somewhere. (Part One) Apocalypse: Now? Later? Never? The book of Revelation (Greek: Apocalypse, "unveiling" or "disclosure") is the most Old Testament-like of New Testament books. The Apocalypse is typically dismissed as irrelevant by many, avoided by most, obsessed over by others, and the sweet nectar for paranoid doomsdayers. John Calvin wouldn't include it in his NT commentaries. Martin Luther was sure he lived in the last days but considered the book of Revelation "neither apostolic nor prophetic," and relegated it to an appendix in his New German Bible. Scholars are divided; some say its visions were fulfilled 2000 years ago, others say they are imminent, yet others hold for distant future fulfillments. What should we take from this extraordinary book that closes Scripture's message? -- Ken Westby The Ever-Changing You Change is your friend. Time need not be working against you if you are moving in the direction of "True North." The entire plan of God is premised upon change. How are you changing? --Ken Westby Let's Argue with God God invites us to enter into a candid give-and-take dynamic relationship with him. At times, as with any close relationship, there will be disputes and even arguments. Moses argued with God. --Ken Westby The Divine Cornucopia Count the ways in which God has blessed mankind...and you. We are not poor, but rich in the gifts God has given. You're not feeling rich and blessed? God has a Cornucopia gifts he is offering you in addition to those you already have, but may not have considered. --Brian Knowles Easy Pickings Are we impotent in a contest with evil...against the Evil One? In Martin Luther's famous hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" his verse on our "ancient foe" reads: "On earth is not his equal." How can a mere mortal stand against such power? --Ken Westby 9-1-1 Calls to God My wife called 9-1-1 rescue for me and it was a good thing for minutes later my heart stopped. We had also made a 9-1-1 call to God. He gets a lot of them and takes each one. --Ken Westby Jesus on Prayer Jesus offered some clear dos and don'ts on prayer. Prayer is not public performance, it is conversing with the Heavenly Father. Brian Knowles offers biblical guidelines. Meanings of Life There are many. Some meanings of life are downright profound--especially those outlined by the Maker of Life. Let Brian Knowles walk you through the maze of meanings. Things Jesus Said (Part 2) "Produce Fruit" What kind of "fruit"? How is it produced? How does God go about tending his fruit-producing vines? Actions Speak Louder Right doctrine, wrong doctrine, half-right, half-wrong...where do you stand? Is being right on doctrine the end to which Christians must strive? Is this true religion? Brian Knowles says no and he makes his case from the words of Jesus. The Bible and the Life we're Supposed to Live Christianity seems to be caught in a crossfire of criticism and persecution. Opinions swirl about the reliability of the Gospels and about what they really reach. The life of Jesus, however, speaks with a clarity no one with ears should miss. --Article by Brian Knowles Where Biblical Scholars Meet, Discuss, and Debate Their Work My report on the annual meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature in San Diego this past November. This is the biggest event in Biblical Studies and draws about seven thousand members from around the world. --Ken Westby The Prophecy Pit How could so many be so wrong? History is littered with failed prophecies and missed dates. And yet the prophecy preachers are still date-picking and will soon fall into the same pit. What is there about prophecy that leads people into such error? -- Ken Westby Anna the Prophetess and the Hope of Israel She pops up in the NT story of the birth of Jesus. Who is this devout old woman from the tribe of Asher? What was her revelation from God? Why is she significant to the story? Dr. Doug Ward investigates this amazing episode of biblical history. --Article by Dr. Doug Ward The Perfect Prayer One could rightly say that any prayer that God listens to, likes, and most importantly, answers, is a “perfect prayer.” How does one go about praying such prayers? Article by Ken Westby. Sorting & Sifting Something happened to the Christianity of the Apostles and the Early Church. The big turning point was a church council in 325 AD. An article by Brian Knowles. The Man Who Circumcised Jesus Jesus was just another 8-day-old Jewish boy to him. He did his cutting upon the baby boy marking him as a Son of the Covenant. He handed the babe back to his parents and went on his way having no idea he had touched the firstborn Son of His Majesty in heaven. The circumciser was among the first to handle the Son of God who now rules from the Heavenly Father's throne in heaven. He encountered the sacred, the holy, and he knew it not. A mistake most of us repeat on a daily basis.--Ken Westby
Apocaholics
Anonymous:
"Hi,
I’m Gary and I’m a recovering Apocaholic. I am currently Apocalypse free
for nearly 18 years. I left the church of the Religious Apocalypse in 1976,
over 30 years ago, and I resigned from the secular church of the Financial
Apocalypse in 1989. Yes, I still feel the urge to proclaim the end of all
things, from time to time, but I white-knuckle my way to a history book for
a little perspective, and then I breathe easier. If you wish to join AA, the
only requirement is that you give up the adrenaline rush of media-fed
fantasies." (read
more...but doomsdayers beware!) Article by Gary Alexander
The One God Seminars
wwwww
Michael Medved, columnist and
national talk show host, writes about the 4th Commandment and how it can
improve your life.
Read it. |
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A Proverb or Psalm to Live By |
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Today's Pick: The opening up of
your words--it gives light; This "opening up" (Heb. petah) when used in Ps 49:5 refers to a mystery needing explanation. Expounding of Yahweh's words brings illumination. The picture might be of words contained on a scroll all rolled up within. It needs to be unrolled. Men and women should seek to open up the words of God by thought, research, insight and by spiritual wisdom. The jewels of truth are worth digging for, taking the effort to open them up. Not all truth of God sits on the surface. The mere presence of the scroll of Yahweh's words bring no light until someone opens the scroll. We need to associate ourselves with others skilled in respecting and opening up the words of God. We need to see it is our personal responsibility to seek the light by opening up the words. These opened up words are our gateway to light. Yahweh's words, if heeded, enlighten our path--specifically the path of the simple. Here "the simple" suggest someone like the psalmist himself, someone of simple faith in a good sense. Light is regularly a symbol not merely of guidance but of blessing. In God's words there is an intellectual and spiritual goldmine awaiting our attention. The Bible sits near our bedside, resting on a coffee table, or atop the piano. But until it is opened and its words pondered, no light, no wisdom is revealed, it just gathers dust. There is a great thrill to experience this "opening up" of God's words. Psalms and Proverbs especially lend themselves to this process. Try opening up a few verses each day and you'll be surprised how much more light your day will have, how much clearer and brighter your path appears. Seek guidance from others who have also pondered those same scriptures and consider what they have learned (good biblical commentaries are wonderful aids). We crave understanding for our own lives and for the bigger meaning of life itself. God invites us to receive that understanding by opening up His words. --Ken Westby (Visit our Proverb Archives for previous, daily picks) |
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A Virtual Church ! |
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It's Here!! -- The VC on the Internet Now available with Live Streaming over the Web at 11 AM . . . or . . . on demand later. See Above. |
 A Journal of Truth and Hope The New Millennium -- March 2003 (Allow a few minutes for issue to download) or write for our current issue: ACD * PO Box 4748 * Federal Way WA 98001 |
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Please Support !! |
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You may donate directly to the Association for
Christian Development.
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Why God Requires Moral Behavior Brian Knowles posits that Happiness is a moral obligation |
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In the Lord's Interests Usually things are done for and in our own interests. We are challenged by Christ to reach higher. |
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Islam's "Sabbath" Allah, Islam’s God, didn’t rest after the six days of creation and Moslems see no need to rest on their “Sabbath” which is Friday, the sixth day of the week. |
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Cain and His Family The man and the family that determined the fate of the pre-flood world. A thorough investigation. |
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Angels and the Thirteen Sabbath Songs One of the most intriguing discovering among the Dead Sea Scrolls. |
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A Sabbath Journey An Assembly of God pastor decided Saturday is the Sabbath and life took a major turn. |
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The Humor of Jesus The Savior had a well developed sense of humor--unlike a lot of prune-faced religious people. |
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Scholars...Who Needs Them? Only the ignorant think they don't. |
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A Sermon to the Wind Why do most messages fly over the head, or through the ears without stopping to visit the mind? |
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Profaning the Sabbath Day What is the necessary work that the Bible allows to be done on the Sabbath Day? |
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Stingy Christians and a Generous God If you can describe yourself as a generous Christian— as evidenced by your acts of generosity toward God and man—feel free to skip this article. |
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The Sovereignty of God: His Place and Ours Go ahead and question God, but keep a few things in mind when you do. You'll find those things in Job's direct encounter with God. |
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Abortion and the Sabbath There is one command among The Ten that specifically protects the vulnerable, the powerless, and the weak. There are no more vulnerable souls in the world than the unborn. |
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What About Hanukkah? This non-biblical Jewish celebration holds a fascinating adventure story right out history. Read Dr. Doug Ward's account of the history behind the Maccabee warriors and the book they left the world. |
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Two Scenes from Israel My recent trip left two impressions that seem to capture the contrasts of Israel. --Ken Westby |
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Does Col 2:16 Do Away with Sabbath Celebrations? The late biblical scholar Charles V. Dorothy wrote this paper in the early 1990s before he died. We believe it is one of the explanations available of this hotly disputed text. This article is in an Adobe PDF file format so please be patient while it loads. |
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Making Yourself Sick Happiness is a choice, and so is unhappiness. "Stinking thinking" is what make most of us miserable. But isn't the world full of negativity and evil? Isn't that reality? How can we be positive and happy in such an environment? |
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Reconciling Myself to Art Brian Knowles unburdens himself. |
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Rest In Peace Graveyards are places to do serious meditation. Meditation may be a lost practice for many of us -- to our detriment. But one doesn't need to visit a cemetery to begin this deepening practice. |
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Is
There Buried Treasure in King David's Tomb? |
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Why Be Religious? What does being religious mean? Is it commitment to one's church organization? Church commitment and church politics have little to do with the true practice of Christianity. In fact, they may inhibit or destroy the light God intends to be reflected from us to a world in need. |
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Who is America in Prophecy? Some believe that the ancient tribe of Ephraim is modern day Britain. Others believe that if a modern Ephraim exists is would be none other than the USA. See a transcript of a recent discussion on this subject. |
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Miracle on Highway 93 Do Miracles still happen? Well, one did on a Montana highway last December. Read the compelling account from the eye witnesses. |
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The First Holy Thing First Mentions and First Occurrences in Scripture are significant. In all the Bible what is the first "thing" made holy? What can it tell us about the ultimate purpose of everything? |
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 Is
There Any Hope for Israel? The
short-term picture is grim, mid-term even grimmer. If you climb a hill and
take the long view you'll find hope. Brian Knowles gives us the three
views from current events and Scripture. |
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November 2002 ACD Newsletter -- Special report from Africa; Susan Richardson on "Commitment"; and a don't-miss article by Brian Knowles, "For Christians: An Increasingly Dangerous World." |
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| Dr. Dorothy’s "Books of
Esther" Published! With this study, to which Charles V. Dorothy, PhD, devoted a decade of his life, some of the major unknowns
about Esther have been discovered and many age-old questions answered. All future
commentaries and studies of Esther will draw upon CVD’s foundational analysis. |
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The Ephrata Cloister -- A Sabbatarian Commune in Colonial Pennsylvania Read the remarkable story of what happened to the utopian dream of its founders. |
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A New Look At Prophecy What has been your model for "the end"? Have you revised your understanding with new data--biblical, historical, current political trends and realities? Many folks haven't. Taking a fresh look at some old prophetical assumptions, Steve Collins in a lengthy article presents his view of future events. Perhaps it will stimulate you to revisit and test your old prophetical scenario. |
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Christian Faith and Military Service Steve Collins weighs in on the thorny issue of should a Christian bear arms for his country. Some Christian groups teach against any military service and advise their young men to be conscious objectors. Do they have a biblical case? |
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The Real "Ark Mystery" Doug Ward, PhD, takes us on an exciting journey to discover what happened to the sacred Ark of the Covenant. He also addresses the larger question, Does it Matter? |
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The Sabbath: "Worthless Manna"? Manna was a gift from God to newly liberated Israel. The former slaves now found themselves in a desert without food. God provided food from heaven; a food some soon came to despise as worthless. Another gift, the Sabbath, has received a similar welcome. |
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The Politicization of Doctrine--Why It Happens Why can't people just let the Bible speak for itself? The question is naive, of course, and ignores how churches operate and how doctrine and theology are done. But it is still a darn good question that deserves an answer.. |
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| Rediscovering Biblical Celebrations Life's three basic questions--who is God?; who are We?; and how shall we live?--find answer in the Scriptures. Those answers in turn shed light on two neglected areas of Christian living; joy and celebration. Read and study the following so you may join us in rediscovery and rejoicing. | |
| What Does Passover Mean to You? Are you aware of the recent debate about what day is the proper time for "keeping" the Passover? Are you in doubt or troubled by conflicting opinions about "the original," or "the biblical Passover"? Read this straight forward analysis by a biblical scholar | |
| The Saints on the Sea of Glass A "new doctrine" has surfaced among certain Church of God groups--a new twist on the Place of Safety doctrine. It calls for the Saints to be taken up to heaven during the Great Tribulation, prior to the First Resurrection. Let's check this one out. | |
| A Sabbatarian History--Persecution, Heroes & Thanksgiving The history of Sabbathkeepers these past few centuries is rich with heroes in the faith. Dr. Doug Ward walks us through the troubles and triumphs of Christians who struggled to "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." | |
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Christ the "End of The Law"? -- A new look at Romans 10:4
Dr. Doug Ward presents a thorough investigation that should leave you the
jury with only one verdict.
Views expressed on this web site are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Association for Christian Development. Email us at: acd@Godward.org. Email Ken Westby at: westby@Godward.org Association
for Christian Development (ACD) |
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