Before Honor

Our Creator is a God of choice. Therefore, destruction is a choice. Honor is also a choice. A proud heart leads to destruction, but a humble heart brings honor. The absence of humility is pride which will bring certain consequences as a result of not humbling ourselves before God and men. Because of a man's haughty heart, he fails to see and reason clearly. His excessive arrogance results in poor decision-making, whereas a man with a humble heart will seek counsel and exercise wisdom in his decision-making. It was pride that brought Lucifer and a third of the angels to rebel and be cast out of heaven. Because of his pride, Lucifer will suffer eternal destruction. Humility is the true spirit of Jesus Christ. Because of His humility, God exalted Him above all creatures. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)

On October 24, 1944, more than two hundred American soldiers realized they were surrounded by German infantry deep in the mountain forest of eastern France. As their dwindling food, ammunition, and medical supplies ran out, the American commanding officer turned to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team to achieve what other units had failed to do. Honor Before Glory is the story of the 442nd, a segregated unit of Japanese American citizens, commanded by white officers, that finally rescued the "lost battalion." Their unmatched courage and sacrifice under fire became legend-all the more remarkable because many of the soldiers had volunteered from prison-like "internment" camps where sentries watched their mothers and fathers from the barbed-wire perimeter. In seven campaigns, these young Japanese American men earned more than 9,000 Purple Hearts, 6,000 Bronze and Silver Stars, and nearly two dozen Medals of Honor. The 442nd became the most decorated unit of its size in World War II: its soldiers earned 18,100 awards and decorations, more than one for every man. Honor Before Glory is their story-a story of a young generation's fight against both the enemy and American prejudice-a story of heroism, sacrifice, and the best America has to offer.

As James Brandon read and studied the Psalms over the years, he came to realize that the Lord was talking to our souls through these ancient songs. He was also struck by a book written in the 1800s by a man named Hawker, who after reading one of the Psalms would exclaim: “Oh my soul, what is this that thou hast found in the Holy Writ?” He would talk to his soul after reading the text. The author began to read the Psalms and reflect on what each one said to his soul. He has done that for fifty years. In this book, he focuses on the Psalms of Moses, which encompass Psalms 90 to 106. They may have been collected by “the men of Hezekiah” during the reign of King Hezekiah and/or by Ezra following the Babylonian Captivity. It was titled “The Numbers Book”—the Wilderness Sojourn and the Promised Land. (The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8, 254; The Companion Bible, “Psalms,” 720). The Psalms are a wonderland of devotion. They have enlightened the author’s mind and encouraged his spirit. They can do the same for you—all while providing principles for living this life as you help others walk with the Lord.

This book provides a Biblically-based, seven-month program to turn your son into a solid man of God based on the Seven Pillars of Manhood: 1. Identity in Christ 2. Love 3. Godly Wisdom 4. The Word of God 5. Purity 6. Character 7. Legacy Churches are filled with well-meaning youth pastors and programs that promote Christian values, doctrine, and culture to todays youth. But it is rare to find a program that includes a comprehensive set of pillars that are specifically designed to bring a teenage boy into Christian Manhood. By providing an intentional framework for Christian Manhood that can be worked through by a father/guardian and son over seven months, this book is designed to provide such a program.

What is ethics? Ethics is not merely about tricky situations or hot topics. Instead, ethics asks questions about what sort of people we are, how we think, what sort of things we do and don't do, and how we ought to live our everyday lives. How might we learn ethics from the Old Testament? Instead of searching for support for our positions or pointing out problems with certain passages, trusted guide John Goldingay urges us to let the Old Testament itself set the agenda. In this volume, readers will encounter what the Old Testament teaches about relationships, work, Sabbath, character, and more. Featuring Goldingay's own translation and discussion questions for group use, Old Testament Ethics: A Guided Tour is a resource for ethics like no other. Topically organized with short, stand-alone chapters, this book is one to keep close at hand.

The world is drowning in words. Some four million are books published every year, plus e-books, audiobooks, and magazines, not to mention television, movies, and videos; blogs, podcasts, and social media; and an estimated six to ten thousand ads forced on every American every day! But where—amidst this bewildering cacophony of words—shall wisdom be found? (Job 28:12). That long-ago question from Job is more relevant today than ever. And so is his long-ago answer: Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom (Job 28:28; cf. Prov 1:7; 9:10; Ps 111:10). That’s biblical bedrock for building a life—a God-centered life. A life of significance and satisfaction, humility and hope, confidence and joy. The book of Proverbs gives you the tools, and the book you hold in your hands will help you use the tools. Solomon Day by Day won’t change your life, but it will change the way you look at the proverbs. And the proverbs will change your life!

"The Lord shepherds me, and nothing will be lacking for me. In a place of tender grass, there he causes me to encamp." In his reading of Psalm 23, early Christian theologian Didymus the Blind perceived the comfort that is provided only by Christ, the good shepherd: "The disciples of Christ who have become perfect in his instruction . . . do not simply hear a voice, but they are familiar with the teacher himself." Born around the year when the Edict of Milan legalized Christianity, Didymus the Blind (ca. 313-398) lost his sight due to an illness at a young age. He nevertheless excelled at learning and became a defender of Nicene orthodoxy against Arianism. Over the course of his career, he wrote numerous theological treatises and exegetical works. Though some of his theological speculations would later earn the ire of the Second Council of Constantinople, Didymus was also a careful exegete of Scripture. This Ancient Christian Texts volume presents Didymus's lectures on portions of the Psalms as they were originally presented to his students. Here readers can learn at the feet of this early Christian teacher and find comfort in the Word of God. Ancient Christian Texts are new English translations of full-length commentaries or sermon series from ancient Christian authors that allow you to study key writings of the early church fathers in a fresh way.