Isaac blesses Jacob (again) with instructions on who to marry (Genesis 27:46 - 28:9)

Rebekah told Isaac, “I’m disgusted with these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a Hittite wife, my life will not be worth living.” In response to her complaint, Isaac called for Jacob, blessed him, and commanded, “Do not marry a Canaanite woman. Go at once to Paddan Aram (where Rebekah’s father, Bethuel lived) and take a wife for yourself from among the daughters of Laban.”

Isaac blesses Jacob (again) with instructions on who to marry (Genesis 27:46 - 28:9)

The Devil inside - Georgia city bows to pressure to remove Christian flag flown to promote Bible-reading marathon

A flag controversy has forced Cochran, Georgia officials to bow to pressure and take down a Christian flag flown to promote a local Bible-reading marathon sponsored by the International Bible Reading Association. The act caught the attention of the Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AUSCS) who claimed they received several complaints over the matter. The group declared that “flying the Christian flag on public property violates the First Amendment”.

The Devil inside - Georgia city bows to pressure to remove Christian flag flown to promote Bible-reading marathon

Jesus teaches his followers how to fast (Matthew 6:16 - 6:18)

Jesus told his followers, “When you fast, do not look gloomy as the hypocrites do, for they twist their faces to show others that they are fasting and uncomfortable. Truly I tell you, they have already received their reward in full.”

Jesus teaches his followers how to fast (Matthew 6:16 - 6:18)

Complete (but concise) list of Bible places - Old and New Testament biblical locations

This is list of places, lands, and countries mentioned in the Bible. Some places may be listed twice or under two different names. Hover over the biblical location name for a detailed explanation of the place (if available).

Complete (but concise) list of Bible places - Old and New Testament biblical locations

Jacob tricks Isaac and cheats Esau out of his blessing (Genesis 26:34 - 27:45)

Isaac was old and his eyes were weak. He called for his Esau and told him, “I am now an old man and near death. Get your hunting equipment (bows and arrows) and go into the country to hunt wild game for me. Prepare for me a meal that you know I will like and bring it to me to eat so that I may give you my blessing before I die.”

Jacob tricks Isaac and cheats Esau out of his blessing (Genesis 26:34 - 27:45)

Rolling eyes and sideways glances - how America lost the Bible Belt

I have some news for you that may come as a shock – the Bible Belt has been lost. And it happened right under your nose. The belt, that once stretched from coast to coast, first shrank. The erosion began on one end of the country (guess where) and continued to shrink, collapsing inward from the other end of the country (guess where), tightening the belt in a vice-like grip forcing it to shrink smaller and smaller. Fat with success and giddy with their newly available playtime, America never even noticed that the belt was being lost.

Rolling eyes and sideways glances - how America lost the Bible Belt

With war against radical Islamic ISIS/ISIL imminent, Obama calls on compassion for Muslims

President Obama issued an emotional call to Americans today, cautioning United States citizens against labelling the looming war against ISIS (aka ISIL) a religious war. To many Americans, this likely appears contradictory and confusing. After all, ISIS is a self-proclaimed Islamic religious group. Is there a method to this madness?

With war against radical Islamic ISIS/ISIL imminent, Obama calls on compassion for Muslims

Abimelek makes peace with Isaac (Genesis 26:26 - 26:33)

After Isaac settled in Beersheba, King Abimelech arrived from Gerar to visit him. Abimelech brought with him Ahuzzath, his personal advisor, and Phicol, the commander of his forces. Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to visit me at my home since previously you were hostile towards me and sent me away?”

Abimelek makes peace with Isaac (Genesis 26:26 - 26:33)

Muslim billionaire shares his honest opinion (anonymously) on radical Islamist Muslims

For those who feel Islam endorses violence and militant action as its primary theme, check out this interview with an Arab (Egyptian) billionaire investor during which they ask him a series of questions about the state of geopolitics in the Middle East. This snippet of the interview provides a rare glimpse into a moderate Muslim’s view of the radicalization of Islam that is spreading through the area.

Muslim billionaire shares his honest opinion (anonymously) on radical Islamist Muslims

What is the Dome of the Rock and why is the area so controversial?

Many Christians remain confused regarding the significance of the Dome of the Rock – what its purpose is, why it is significant to four major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Roman religion, and Islam), and how it came to be located in the middle of Jerusalem. To alleviate the confusion, it is best to run through a quick history of the Temple Mount, also known as Mount Zion.

What is the Dome of the Rock and why is the area so controversial?

A Christian reads the Quran (Koran) cover to cover - unexpected discoveries and surprising revelations

As a lifelong Christian, I possess no accurate, firsthand knowledge of Islam’s religious doctrines nor have I much contact with any of its Muslim followers. Thus, going into this endeavor, I knew I would have to refrain from judging the Quran’s content by the standards of our own time and recognized that I must avoid framing the themes I discovered according to news accounts of the day. In the end, my venture through the Quran turned out to be a short and easy trip but one that produced a profound impact on my understanding of the religion of Islam and the dedicated Muslim followers that adhere to its principles.

A Christian reads the Quran (Koran) cover to cover - unexpected discoveries and surprising revelations

Giving to the needy with proper motivation (Matthew 6:1 - 6-4)

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his followers: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others in order to be seen. If you do, you will have no reward from God. For example, when you give to the needy, do not announce it loudly with trumpets as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets so the people will praise them. They have already received their reward in full.”

Giving to the needy with proper motivation (Matthew 6:1 - 6-4)

Isaac's wealth and power threaten others (Genesis 26:12 - 26:25)

After Abimeleh issued orders to the citizens that nobody should harm Isaac or his family, Isaac had a very successful year with his crops (despite a famine in the land). Because God had blessed Isaac – he reaped a hundred times what he had sown. Isaac became rich and his fortune continued to grow until he became very wealthy with large flocks, herds, and many servants.

Isaac's wealth and power threaten others (Genesis 26:12 - 26:25)

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:43 - 5:48)

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the listeners: You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy’ but I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in heaven. God causes the sun to rise on evil people as well as the good and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous.

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:43 - 5:48)

Isaac tells men Rebekah is his sister (Genesis 26:1 -26:11)

During a famine in the land of Canaan, Isaac went to Abimelek, who was the king in Gerar where the Philistines lived. On his way, God stopped Isaac and instructed him to not go to Egypt (as his father Abraham had done during the last famine). God reminded Isaac that he should live in the land that God instructed him to live in. He told Isaac if the stayed in this land for a while, God would bless him.

Isaac tells men Rebekah is his sister (Genesis 26:1 -26:11)

Was Jesus a real person - is there historical proof outside the Bible that Jesus really existed?

Although the New Testament Bible provides extensive documentation of Jesus’ life, it is a theological literary work and could be seen by some as potentially biased. Even steadfast Christians may occasionally wonder, “Is there any other proof that Jesus truly existed?” In fact, almost all historians agree that Jesus existed historically citing proof from several other ancient works that not only confirm the existence of Jesus, but prove that his ministry, including his many miracles that detractors attempted to explain away as “evil magic”, produced a significant impact on the societies of the day.

Was Jesus a real person - is there historical proof outside the Bible that Jesus really existed?