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Quote - Matthew Henry

"Some people do not like to hear much of repentance; but I think it is so necessary that if I should die in the pulpit, I would desire to die preaching repentance, and if out of the pulpit I would desire to die practicing it." Matthew Henry

BiblePlaces.com

Although I am partial to all of the Israel photos and videos I will share in the weeks ahead (I took them), the best catalog of photos and resources that I have found is BiblePlaces.com. It has specific descriptions for all of the sites along with amazing photography. They sell their photos as well through several packages, to include labeled photos to assist in using them for teaching purposes. They also have a great blog that keeps up to date with some of the latest biblical archaeology discoveries. They also have an additional site, http://www.lifeintheholyland.com/ that focuses more on photographs from the 19th and the 20th centuries.
About the photographer:
"Todd Bolen is currently on study leave from his position as Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at the Israel Bible Extension campus of The Master’s College. Since 1996, he has lived in Israel and taught college and seminary students about the biblical sites and history. His passion for teaching and photography led him to develop the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands. Todd’sphotographs have been published in hundreds of books and magazines and featured on CNN and NationalGeographic.com."

K9 Web Protection - FREE Internet Control and Filter Software

K9 Web Protection is a highly recommended and effective Internet control and filter software...best of all it is FREE!!! HERE is a review of the software. They share some helpful links for parents HERE. Here are some of the scary statistics they share HERE:
  • "Pornography is a $57 billion a year industry. In comparison, the combined revenues of all teams in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and NFL is $12 billion, and the combined revenues of ABC, CBS, and NBC is a mere $6.2 billion."
  • "1 in 4 youth have unwanted exposure to inappropriate pictures each year"
  • "Nine of 10 kids aged 8-16 have viewed pornography on the Internet, often in the process of doing homework."

If for some reason K9 Web Protection does not work for you, check out two previous blogs posts:

Thanks to Jim D. for sharing this resource with me!

Parents and Teenagers - How to Monitor Car Speed and Location - GPS Tracking

Ever wonder if your teenager is going where they said they are? Ever want to know if they drive the speed limit? Want an emergency way to find your vehicle if it is stolen?



Below are some options for GPS tracking devices on phones and in cars.

Things to consider:

  • It may be better to tell your teenager and use it as a deterrent and teaching aid. Their knowledge of it also might help them resist peer pressure to speed or go where they shouldn't.
  • If you do not tell your teenage and hide it there might be the potential for less helpful and more divisive confrontations should they violate your driving expectations. They may also intentionally plan on going in other teenager's cars.
  • Check into the possibility of car insurance discounts.
  • Be sure to understand any contract requirements. Check businesses through the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/)
  • Does it tracks real time data, historical data, or both?
  • Is the data accessed remotely or do you need to extra something from the car in order to see data?
  • Do not forget about installation costs.
  • RESEARCH and COMPARE before buying...if you have a recommendation or a better suggestion for me to add to the below, please let me know!
CELL PHONE OPTIONS
Sprint Family Locator - location info via cell
Verizon Wireless Chaperone - location info via cell
Guardian Angel Technology - prepaid cell phone coupled with tracking info that tells location and speed of travel


VEHICLE BASED
GetiSight - "installs permanently, discreetly: offers a secure, easy-to-use website at GetiSight.com : Uses GPS technology to pinpoint your vehicle’s immediate location and speed online : provides a complete 30-day vehicle history : alerts you via email and/or text message if your vehicle exceeds a user defined speed limit or leaves specified areas defined by you
$225 + $17/month"

Mobile Teen GPS
"Provides instant vehicle feedback for: Speed, Current Vehicle Location, Unapproved Locations, Vehicle is Moved or Stolen, Find Vehicle Now
Four ways to monitor TEEN driving: Cellphone text message or Email, Email alerts sent to your Computer, Toll-free number from any Telephone, Login to our web site to track your vehicle on a Map"
Unit = $300. Monitoring = $300 per year or $30/month monitoring. No contract required. Includes self-installation instructions.

Down to Earth GPS Solutions
"SafetyTraks™ provides real time driving information from GPS to your home computer tracking the location, and speed of your teen’s vehicle. This information generates numerous reports & maps. Initial cost of $299, $20/month monitoring"

GPS Technologies
"SafeTrak Teen Driver Tracking let's you be with your teens wherever they go. SafeTrak provides web based maps that show vehicle location, reports that show where your vehicle went, how fast it drove and how long it stopped. Alerts let you know when a vehicle arrives at or leaves a location (school, friend's house), exceeds a preset speed limit, or is being used when it shouldn't be, i.e.; during school hours."

Brickhouse Child Security
"The leading provider of GPS Tracking Solutions Trusted by Government, Law Enforcement, Corporate and Small Business to recommend the best GPS Tracking solution meeting the most demanding requirements. Premiere clients include: FBI, US Navy, Raytheon, Army, Police, and countless others. Let BrickHouse Security help you find the GPS Tracking system that will fit your needs."

Travel Eyes - a passive device from which you get historical data
Alltrack USA - A variety of plans and options to include real-time, passive, or quality of driving.

Quote - Martin Luther

"The first thing I ask is that people should not make use of my name, and should not call themselves Lutherans but Christians. What is Luther? The teaching is not mine. Nor was I crucified for anyone...How did I, poor stinking bag of maggots that I am, come to the point where people call the children of Christ by my evil name?" Martin Luther

1 John - What a book!

Have you read 1 John lately? If not, invest a few minutes and read it. It is such a clear picture of the difference between believers and non-believers. So powerful and clear!

1 John 2:1 (ESV) " My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. "

1 John 2:15 (ESV) "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

1 John 2:19 (ESV) "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us."

The Archaelogical Study Bible

When I traveled across Israel I intentionally selected a Bible that would compliment my studies. I selected the Archaelogical Study Bible (and later found out that one of its editors was a professor leading my group, Dr. Duane Garrett; another Hebrew scholar, Dr. Russell Fuller was another group leader). I especially appreciated the Archaeological Study Bible becuase it had short articles and pictures about every site that we visited. I would read the short articles on the way to the site and they greatly prepared me for what I was about to see. The pictures and descriptions were helpful in understanding both the history and the culture.

Features:

  • Bottom of page study notes highlight and add further explanation to passages that speak on archaeological or cultural facts included in the Scripture
  • 520 Articles (520) covering Archaeological Sites, Cultural and Historical Notes, Ancient Peoples and Lands, the Reliability of the Bible, Ancient Texts and Artifacts
  • Approximately 500 4-color photographs interspersed throughout
  • Detailed book introductions that provide basic, at-a-glance information
  • In-text color maps that assist the reader in placing the action

Quote - Charles Spurgeon

"We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives." Charles Spurgeon

web address change - www.jonathancarl.org

This WEBSITE address changed....you may not have noticed because the old address (jonathanlcarl.blogspot.com ) will continue to redirect you (automatically) to the new address (www.jonathancarl.org). Thanks for visiting! If there are issues/concerns/questions you have or resources that would be helpful to share with others, please send them to jcarl@severnsvalley.org

Israel - The Sacred Bridge

The Sacred Bridge: Carta's Atlas of the Biblical World is written by Professors Anson F. Rainey and R. Steven Notley, showing over 300 maps from a 3,000 year span of time. It includes maps of "migrations and settlements, battles and conquests, the location and detailed movement of individual historical and biblical characters." "In addition, The Sacred Bridge—Carta's Atlas of the Biblical World draws on information from all known ancient sources-Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek, Roman and others—to reveal trade routes, economic determinants, and the development of international relations. Maps, many of them never before attempted, are presented chronologically, with extensive interpretive texts alongside. Finds, tools, artifacts, inscriptions and other documents from each period also appear in conjunction with the maps." Although pricey, it is an excellent resource for both Bible scholars and church laymen to deepen their understanding of biblical geography and topography in order to better comprehend the biblical accounts of history. Along with Amazon it also is currently available from: https://www.eisenbrauns.com/ECOM/_2L510J2RE.HTM You will be hard pressed to find a more comprehensive and informative atlas of biblical history.

Quote - Ulrich Zwingli

“Was it not great blindness that God Almighty, who created us, has so often made known to us that he is our Father, and finally even gave his Son for us; and he himself stands there and calls us poor sinners, saying "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." And we went and turned to the creature, and thought God to be so rough and cruel that we dare not come to him." Ulrich Zwingli

Israel - Flights Into Biblical Archaeology

Flights into Biblical Archaeology is a hard-to-find book is one of my favorite souvenirs from my trip to Israel. It is an amazing gathering of photos that specifically show elevated views of many archaeological sites. It simply captured the wonder of so many sites in a way a normal tourist would never be able to accomplish. It's publisher describes it as "a set of oblique aerial photographs of exceptional beauty of many of the most important biblical archaeological sites" that also "includes pictures of special ancient objects and rare works of art." I bought my copy at the museum store Bet She'an (Scythopolis) and am so glad I did. The amazing photography coupled with brief site descriptions make it an enjoyable and easy way to see so many biblical sites. Here are some places I found online where it might be purchased: http://www.israel-catalog.com/product.asp?Product=11478 http://www.antiquities.org.il/shop_eng.asp?cat_id=13

Teenagers: Dating & Abstinence

Dr. Mohler provided a helpful response HERE to Bristol Palin's remarks concerning teenagers and abstinence. Some excerpts:

  • "sexual abstinence until marriage is the biblical expectation and command"
  • "Parents and teenagers must make certain that adequate protections and expectations are in place so that sexual abstinence is very realistic indeed"
  • "Far too many Christian parents allow their teenagers to be part of the 'hooking up' scene of teenage culture. In that highly sexualized context, sexual abstinence would appear unrealistic in the extreme."
  • "Premature pair dating and unsupervised liaisons, set within the supercharged culture of teenage sexuality, can put teenagers into very vulnerable situations"

Here are some helpful resources for both teenagers and their parents in evaluating the wisdom and practice of dating. (there are a lot out there, but these are some of my favorite!) The Ten Commandments of Dating by Dr. Sam Adams & Ben Young "Written from a Christian prospective, The Ten Commandments of Dating will give you practical, no-nonsense advice on how to make dating work for you. Authors Adams and Young provide ten time-tested relationship laws to protect you from the pitfalls of modern dating and increase your odds of successful dating." I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris "Joshua Harris's first book, written when he was only 21, turned the Christian singles scene upside down...and people are still talking.
More than 800,000 copies later, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, with its inspiring call to sincere love, real purity, and purposeful singleness, remains the benchmark for books on Christian dating. Now, for the first time since its release, the national #1 bestseller has been expanded with new content and updated for new readers. Honest and practical, it challenges cultural assumptions about relationships and provides solid, biblical alternatives to society's norm."
Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris "Joshua Harris, who "Kissed Dating Good-bye," now answers your questions about courtship. In Part One, he defines and illustrates the basic principles of "courtship," in contrast to "dating." In Part Two, he deals with practical issues as the season of courtship unfolds, growing closer while guarding our hearts in important areas like romance. In Part Three, we learn how to move toward marriage in a God-honoring way."

Quote - John Calvin

"God cannot be comprehended by us, except as far as he accommodates himself to our standard." John Calvin

Israel - Jerusalem University College

I visited Israel over a year ago with a Seminary-course through Jerusalem University College on Mt.Zion in Jerusalem. It was an incredible 20 day trip and really opened my eyes to so much of the archaeology, geography, and culture of the Bible times. I am only now getting around to going through my photos and videos and plan to share them through this blog in the upcoming months. I hope that you enjoy them and that they give you a greater depth of understanding of the Scriptures!

Quote - David Livingstone

"People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa....It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege." David Livingstone

Quote - John Calvin

"Therefore the Christian heart, since it has been thoroughly persuaded that all things happen by God's plan, and that nothing takes place by chance, will ever look to him as the principal causes of things, yet will give attention to the secondary causes in their proper place." John Calvin

Meet Logan - The Sky Angel Cowboy

You may have already heard of Logan, the sky angel cowboy, and his conversation with a radio station in Houston (89.3 KSBJ - my hometown station!); here is an expanded version with some great interviews. Matthew 19:14 (ESV) "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'"

Quote - Martin Luther

"The idea that the service to God should have only to do with a church altar, singing, reading, sacrifice, and the like is without doubt but the worst trick of the devil. How could the devil have led us more effectively astray than by the narrow conception that service to God takes place only in a church and by the works done therein...The whole world could abound with the services to the Lord, Gottesdienste - not only in churches but also in the home, kitchen, workshop, field." Martin Luther

Grace to You - Resources from John MacArthur - www.gty.org

Do you know who John MacArthur is? Have you ever checked out the resources availble online through his ministry? If you answered NO to either of the above questions, you really should check out the richness and depths of his biblical teaching and resources online at http://www.gty.org/ Here are some of the most helpful links:

Check it out...you won't be disappointed!!

Quote - William Tyndale

"There is no work better than to please God; to pour water, to wash dishes, to be a cobbler, or an apostle, all are one; to wash dishes and to preach are all one, as touching the deed, to please God." William Tyndale

FamilyLife.com - Great Articles

Do you want to see growth in your marriage and family? If so, check out FamilyLife.com online. Brittney and I thoroughly enjoyed their Weekend to Remember Conference a few years ago and recommend it to every married couple.
They also have a monthly e-newsletter with some great articles and resources....here are some recent articles linked to their website...
When you ignore God’s command to cultivate intimacy and romance with your wife, she is left with a void in her soul.
The Legacy of a Love Letter Mary May Larmoyeux
High touch in a time of high tech.
With a little creativity, you can plan some innovative romantic excursions at home.
My husband and I love to tell about the truths we’ve learned from 12 years of Weekend to Remember marriage conferences.
Three suggestions for modeling conflict resolution to your kids.
If the gospel is central to your life, it also must be central in your family.
Moments With You: Shared Sacrifice Dennis Rainey These suggestions will help break down the fortresses of me-centered, arrogant selfishness in your home.

Quote - Hudson Taylor

"There are three indispensable requirements for a missionary: 1. Patience 2. Patience 3.Patience." Hudson Taylor

Facebooking: Social Networking at its finest

Did you know that Facebook hit its 5th Anniversary this year? Have you given any though to the changes in communication through social networking online? Dr. Mohler shares some interesting insights into this growing phenomenon HERE. Here are some excerpts from his blog post...
  • "Together, MySpace and Facebook report over 280,000,000 registered users"
  • "Social networking differs from other Internet services by creating a virtual community of linked users, whose updates, photographs, and postings allow for communication anytime and anywhere"

"Here are a few suggestions for safeguarding the social networking experience:" (abbreviated here...full version on his blog)

  1. " Never allow social networking to replace or rival personal contact and communication."
  2. "Set clear parameters for the time devoted to social networking. "
  3. "Never write or post anything on a social networking site that you would not want the world to see, or anything that would compromise your Christian witness." (AMEN!!)
  4. " Parents should monitor, manage, supervise, and control the Internet access of their children and teens. Watch what your child posts and what their friends post."
  5. "Do not allow children and teens to accept any "friend" unknown to you."
  6. "Encourage older friends and relatives to sign up and use the technology. "
  7. "Use the social networking technology to bear witness to the Gospel"
  8. "do not allow social networking to become an idol or a display of narcissism" (self-centeredness)

I've personally really enjoyed getting on Facebook this past year. It has allowed me to better communicate, make contact with, and keep up with friends from high school and college that I wouldn't have otherwise been in touch with as often or to such a depth. It has been fun to share parts of my own life through photos, posts, and updates with others. I have also enjoyed finding a new way to communicate throughout the week with the adults and students of our church.

You can find me or the Severns Valley Student Ministry on Facebook by clicking the two linked photos above.

Quote - William Booth

"I have found my destiny. I must take the gospel to the people of the East End." William Booth

Quote - Count Zinzindorf

"I have but one passion - it is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ." Count Zinzindorf

Quote - Martin Luther

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow." Martin Luther

Quote - William Carey

"I will go down, if you will hold the ropes." [his missions philosophy] William Carey
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