Jarrid Wilson Talks Social Media and His New Devotional

  |  Tue, October 16, 2012   |  Misc, Products   0

If you’ve never heard of Jarrid Wilson, then get ready, because it won’t be long before his name is mentioned alongside top ministry leaders.

Jarrid represents the new wave in ministry, one that uses social media and technology to preach the Gospel. Jarrid’s use of Twitter, Facebook, his podcast, and his blog has enabled him to spread the Word to tens of thousands of people all around the world.

Jarrid was kind enough to talk to us about his ministry and his brand-new devotional, 30 Words: A Devotional for the Rest of Us.

What compelled you to write a devotional?

30 Words is more than a devotional: it’s an experiment for an everyday person who is looking to gain further knowledge of God’s character. I wrote 30 Words in hopes that it would be set apart from other devotionals, something people can reread whenever they are looking for a fresh wind of encouragement or inspiration.

How is this devotional different from others?

There is plenty of material both for individuals brand-new to their faith, and for those looking to become the next great theological mind. But what I realized is that there fails to be much content for the middle man. “A devotional for the rest of us” is for anyone looking to deepen their relationship with God, no matter where they are on their walk with Him. 30 Words is a bridge.

What drew you to publishing with Kirkdale Press?

Simple. Kirkdale Press is family. Not only are they incredibly gifted at what they do, but they have an incredible heart for authors who are passionate about their work. I am truly honored to work with Kirkdale Press, and I am thankful God allowed me to publish my first book through them.

Social media plays an important role in your ministry. What do you find so compelling about social media?

Matthew 28:18–19 is a simple statement that encapsulates my yearning for ministry through social media. We are called to make disciples of “all nations,” and I believe that through the power of social media, we are able to take the Gospel to the homes of millions across the world. Social media has a tendency to turn the everyday introvert into an everyday extrovert. And by using that to my advantage I am able to speak words of truth, hope, grace, and love to people all across social media platforms.

What are some challenges and potential benefits for the church in incorporating social media into its reach and mission? 

I believe that God has gifted us with many tools in sharing the Gospel, and that one of those tools for today’s age is social media. I can’t begin to understand why a Church wouldn’t want to use this tool to help their mission in sharing Christ. Although not everyone is social savvy, you’d be surprised by how many people you can reach through a single tweet or Facebook post.

What are some great and not-so-great examples you’ve seen of social media being used by Christians?

I can’t begin to explain how many people I see who claim to love Jesus in their bios, but who have yet to resemble Him in their tweets or posts. It hurts my heart to see people tweet malicious statements in the name of Christ, all because they have the comfort of hiding behind a username. We are called to be the difference, and I believe our greatest struggle in the social media world will be to not conform to how the world uses it.

Jarrid’s devotional 30 Words is published through Kirkdale Press, and it’s available now.

Limited-Time Offer on the Welwyn Commentary Series

  |  Tue, October 16, 2012   |  Products   0

Most pastors and Bible teachers rely on more than one commentary to help them formulate their sermons and lessons. Some commentaries offer literary context, discussion of the original languages, and in-depth exegesis, while others provide practical insight, illustrations, and expository thoughts. The Welwyn Commentary Series belongs in the latter category. It’s a terrific resource for personal study, preaching, and teaching.

Until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, the Welwyn Commentary Series (49 vols.) is 59% off—that’s $490 off the retail price! Use coupon code WEEKLYWCS at checkout to get this discount.

A Commentary for Leaders

The Welwyn Commentary Series’ 49 volumes of Bible exposition are designed to help you teach God’s Word in a practical and straightforward way. With numerous maps, illustrations, book outlines, and study questions, these commentaries will help you communicate the biblical story to your congregation or small group. They’ll help you make the Word relevant with clear areas of application.

If you’re leading a small group or Sunday school class, the Welwyn commentaries will help you steer the discussion toward Scripture. They’ll give you clear analogies to help you drive home the point of the text.

Save Big for a Limited Time

Through Thursday night only, this comprehensive commentary series is on sale for 59% off retail. Save $490 when you order the Welwyn Commentary Series (49 vols.) before 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, with coupon code WEEKLYWCS. Get it now!

Chart a Course through the New Testament with the Lexham Bible Guides

  |  Mon, October 15, 2012   |  Products   1

Ephesians ships Oct. 23

Information is good, and more information is better. But in the digital age, the volume of information available to us can be overwhelming—and this is no less true when it comes to information about the Bible. The Lexham Bible Guides help you chart a course through the forest of biblical study and theological commentary.

Created by Logos’ Bible reference team, each Lexham Bible Guide focuses on one literary unit of Scripture at a time. In a clear and easy-to-follow format, the guides provide—

  • An outline of the passage’s structure
  • An overview of the passage
  • A description of important exegetical and theological issues
  • Explanations of key original language words
  • Curated, annotated links to your Logos library
  • An application summary

The Lexham Bible Guides give you a comprehensive picture built on the best and most in-depth research available. They elegantly synthesize biblical and theological commentary with historical and literary background. For busy pastors and teachers, the guides include slide templates and prebuilt word-study slides to make it easier to present the information to an audience.

At each point on the map, though, the Lexham Bible Guides offer you the opportunity to delve deeper—without getting lost.

Written to take full advantage of the Logos platform, each Lexham Bible Guide links to relevant content in your Logos library. With one click, the annotated bibliography opens up into a more extensive exploration of a full range of theological perspectives from top scholars. Learn more about how God’s Word has been understood by scholars—faster, and without stumbling over the details.

New Lexham Bible Guides have just been released for several New Testament books. In addition to Lexham Bible Guide: Ephesians,* Galatians, 1 Thessalonians, and 1 Peter are also available. Pre-order your Lexham Bible Guides now!

*Lexham Bible Guide: Ephesians ships October 23—get yours while it’s still on Pre-Pub!

Logos 4: Create an Update Shortcut

  |  Mon, October 15, 2012   |  Training   0

Today’s post is from Morris Proctor, certified and authorized trainer for Logos Bible Software. Morris, who has trained thousands of Logos users at his two-day Camp Logos seminars, provides many training materials.

Ok, I’ll admit. I’m like a little kid when it comes to expectation. I can’t wait. I like walking to the mailbox to see if the mail has arrived. I periodically look out the window, hoping the UPS truck is coming down the driveway. All my life well-meaning people have reminded me about that proverbial watched pot and boiling water. Yet I still jump the gun.

With Logos I’m no different. The software’s developers periodically add new features and update resources, which automatically download into the system. I can’t wait, though. I want to make sure I’m up to date with the latest and greatest. I, therefore—more times than I care to admit—initiate an update. If you’re like I am, you may want to apply this shortcut:

  • Type these two words in the Command box: update now. (A)
  • Drag Update now (B) from the Tools dropdown list (that appears under the Command box) to the Shortcuts bar. (C)
  • Notice that Logos places a down-arrow icon on the Shortcuts bar.

Update Logos Now

Now, anytime you’re wondering if you’re completely current with your Logos Bible Software, just click the new shortcut. Logos will instantly check for updates (D) and, through a popup message (E), inform you if they’re available or not.

I won’t confess how many times I click this icon!

Pastor Appreciation Month Roundup: Oct. 13

  |  Sat, October 13, 2012   |  Products   0

To celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month, we’re revealing a new sale item every weekday through October 26. If you’ve been watching the Pastor Appreciation Month page, you’ve seen the deals released so far. But if you’ve missed them, here are the live specials for the second week:

A. T. Robertson Collection (15 vols.)

Retail: $365.87  Regularly: $249.95

Only $179.95 with coupon code PAM06

The 15-volume A. T. Robertson Collection contains the grammars, commentaries, lectures, and sermons of one of America’s foremost Baptist scholars. A founding member of the Baptist World Alliance, a Greek scholar, and prolific preacher, A. T. Robertson devoted his entire career to equipping others for ministry.

Tyndale Theological Studies Collection (5 vols.)

Retail: $123.00  Regularly: $99.95

Only $74.95 with coupon code PAM07

The Tyndale Theological Studies Collection brings together five diverse works from Tyndale Seminary Press. From collected essays on dispensationalism to a discussion of important pastoral topics, these resources are informative, highly practical, and theologically rich.

Deluxe Printed Training Bundle

Retail: $150.00

Only $100.00 with coupon code PAM08

Logos Bible Software 4 is packed with dynamic and innovative tools for Bible study. Morris Proctor’s Deluxe Printed Training Bundle will help you get the most out of your software. In this bundle you’ll get volumes one and two of the Logos 4 Bible Software Training Manuals, plus Inductive Bible Study with Logos Bible Software, the I-BEAM of Message Building Training Manual, the Logos QuickCard Set, and the Logos 4 Keyboard Shortcuts Mousepad.

The Works of Zwingli (7 vols.)

Retail: $201.65  Regularly: $69.95

Only $54.95 with coupon code PAM09

Zwingli preached against ecclesial corruption, fasting, the requirement of celibacy for the clergy, the veneration of saints, excommunication, and more, setting the stage for the Swiss Reformation. The Works of Zwingli (7 vols.), which assembles some of Zwingli’s most important works translated into English and includes historical works about his life and legacy.

Contemporary Theology Collection (6 vols.)

Retail: $284.80  Regularly: $119.95

Only $79.95 with coupon code PAM10

The Contemporary Theology Collection brings the eternal truth of God to bear upon the contemporary considerations of the modern intellectual condition. In six volumes, the collection examines the ontology of God, the Trinitarian nature of atonement, forgiveness and truth in the modern world, and much more. Each volume is marked by rigorous academic inquiry and timely appraisal of the issues.

Keep watching the Pastor Appreciation Month sale page for new deals. All coupon codes expire October 31!

Read Along with Your Faithlife Community

  |  Fri, October 12, 2012   |  Company   0

It’s easy to connect with your Faithlife groups using custom reading plans. Whether it’s for your church, your small group, or your Christian book club, you can create a plan around your schedule and needs. Maybe you already have a Faithlife group you want to transition into a reading group, or maybe you want to form a group around a certain text. Creating a plan is simple.

Once you have the group you want, it’s time to select the book. In order for everyone to participate in your group reading plan, everyone must own the resource you want to read. Just like in a face-to-face book club, you can’t read if you don’t own the text!

If you’re looking for a book to get started with, the Faithlife Study Bible is a great place to start. It’s free through March 2014, and it integrates seamlessly with the Faithlife community. Download yours now!

Here’s a quick step-by-step to get your custom reading plan up and running:

1. Open Logos 4.

2. Under File, select Reading Plan.

3. Select the text you want, how often you read, when you start, when you want to finish reading, and what group you want to share with.

4. Click “Generate.”

Now you’re ready to read with your group. A reading schedule will automatically appear in Faithlife’s “Today’s Readings” widget to keep you on track. You’ll be able to talk about the text, share your insight, and so much more from within your group on Faithlife. Get started today!

*Don’t have a Faithlife account yet? Sign in using your Logos account, or get started now with a free account. Then tell your friends and start building your online community.

Celebrate the Ministry of F. F. Bruce

  |  Fri, October 12, 2012   |  Products   0

In both the classroom and the pulpit, Frederick Fyvie Bruce stands out as perhaps the most recognized voice among mid- and late-twentieth-century evangelical scholars.

Born in Elgin, Scotland, on October 12, 1910, F. F. Bruce—as he is more commonly known—was educated at Aberdeen, Cambridge, Vienna, and Manchester University, where he excelled in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. Bruce held teaching posts at some of Europe’s most prominent universities, most notably as the Rylands Chair of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at Manchester University. He was a member of a number of prestigious societies, among them the Society for Old Testament Study and the Society for New Testament Study. Bruce was instrumental in the establishment of Cambridge’s Tyndale House, a research library for postgraduate students engaged in biblical research.

Bruce was a prodigious author, and it is in his numerous works that we find his enduring legacy. He wrote on a wide variety of subjects, including early Bible translations, Greco-Roman history, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. Some of his better-known titles include The Canon of Scripture, Paul: Apostle of the Free Spirit, The Epistle to the Galatians (NIGTC), and three volumes in the NICNT: Acts, Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians, and Hebrews. Bruce’s writings were born from a deep knowledge of apostolic Christianity. But he communicated this in a way that was easily accessible, making the world in which Jesus and the early church lived come alive.

This weekend, in celebration of F. F. Bruce’s birthday, we’re offering Paul: Apostle of the Free Spirit for only $29.95 with coupon code FFBruce12. Pick up a copy of Bruce’s seminal work on Paul—you won’t be disappointed.

Life-Changing Women’s Conferences

  |  Thu, October 11, 2012   |  Company   0

Last month’s Faithlife Women conference drew women from all over to hear some of today’s best speakers and authors. Presenters like Angela Thomas, Liz Curtis Higgs, Carol Kent, and Kasey Van Norman encouraged, empowered, and edified us as we gathered in Irving, TX.

The conference was such a success, we’re already planning next year’s Faithlife Women event! Keep watching FaithlifeWomen.com for information as it’s available and to read life-changing content from some of today’s top Christian authors and personalities.

Don’t Miss the Defined by God Conference!

If your husband works in ministry, come join us for the Defined by God conference November 1–3 in San Diego, CA! It’s the perfect opportunity for you to recharge your battery and connect with others who understand the challenges you face at a conference designed solely for pastors’ wives. Register today for FREE!

Zwingli, Lost Hero of the Swiss Reformation

  |  Thu, October 11, 2012   |  Products   0

As part of our ongoing Pastor Appreciation Month sale, we’re featuring the seven-volume Works of Zwingli for only $54.95 with coupon code PAM09.

It’s surprising that Huldrych Zwingli isn’t better known. Zwingli, a contemporary of Martin Luther’s, was an important figure in the Swiss Reformation.

Zwingli believed that faith was a personal experience that didn’t require sacraments and ceremonies to sustain itself. His work and his regular, exegetical preaching led to sweeping reform in Switzerland.

Zwingli spoke out publicly against

  • Lenten fasting
  • Veneration of the saints
  • The damnation of unbaptized children
  • Church corruption
  • And many other important issues

As opposition from Catholic Cantons grew, a Christian Civic League which included Zwingli’s city of Zürich was formed. Tensions grew between the two factions, and Protestant encouragements to evangelize within Catholic Cantons only inflamed tempers further. Swiss and German reformation movements sought to unify their efforts against the Pope but Zwingli and Luther fell out over theological issues relating to communion.

On October 9, 1531, the Cantons declared war on Zürich. With internal squabbling at a high, the Zürich forces were unprepared for the size of the army mobilized against them. On today’s date, October 11, 1531, Zwingli, along with 500 members of the Zürich army, was killed. The battle that took Zwingli’s life lasted less than one hour.

The Works of Zwingli (7 vols.) includes the powerful writings that propelled Zwingli to the forefront of the reformation movement in Switzerland. The addition of Samuel Jackson’s and Samuel Simpson’s works on Zwingli bring important historical context to Zwingli’s life and work. With coupon code PAM09, you can save more than 21% on this collection. Get your copy now!

Don’t miss out on the rest of the Pastor Appreciation Month Sale’s daily deals.

Lisa Chan Discusses Being a Pastor’s Wife

  |  Wed, October 10, 2012   |  Misc   1

I was happy to catch a few minutes to chat with upcoming Defined by God speaker Lisa Chan. Lisa has been married to pastor, speaker, and writer Francis Chan for 18 years. I asked Lisa about some of the struggles pastors’ wives face.

Was Francis a pastor when you first married him?

Yes, he was working with a church. The church had gone through a terrible time, and there was a split with the senior pastor. We left on our honeymoon thinking maybe he would take over temporarily at that church, but in two months’ time, Francis felt like, “You know what, I think God wants us to start our own church and for me to really head out and lead.” And so Cornerstone was founded after two months of marriage.

What’s the biggest challenge pastors’ wives face today?

That’s an interesting question. I think one of the biggest challenges is authenticity. It’s so easy to slide into a position or a title and find your identity in that instead of being an authentic, godly woman—one pursuing Christ, walking in step with the spirit, and focused on what he wants, rather than what people want or think. We all know that’s part of the territory, but if you can learn to keep your eyes forward and on Christ, you can learn how to deal with it in a better way.

What advice would you give to pastors’ wives who are struggling with authenticity and feeling like they have to fit into a mold that other people put them in?

I think the best way is to not spend too much time thinking about it—usually if we focus on the problem, it just gets bigger and bigger. But if we turn our focus and choose to say, “No, I’m going to go after Christ, I’m going to grow in my walk with God, I’m going to learn to listen to his voice and do the things he asks me to do”—that’s really the only answer. And I know it seems really oversimplified, but sometimes our biggest problems have very simple answers. That would be my biggest advice—just follow after God and that’s what it’s all about.

My husband gives this illustration that if you’re learning to be a mountain-bike rider, you have to look where you want to go. In other words, if you look where you don’t want to go, like the cliff or rut, your bike will automatically go where you don’t want to go. So to stay on the right path, you look at where you want to go. And so for us, as pastors’ wives, let’s not look at this big cesspool of “Oh people expect so much of me, and this is so terrible”—you’re going to go that way—but if you just say “I’m going to be a women of God, a child of God after him,” all the other stuff falls into place because you’re just following after God.

What will you be speaking on at the Defined by God conference, and how will it help pastors’ wives?

I’m pretty sure that I’m going to be speaking about having a steadfast love, and I’m going to be sharing a lot that I’m saying here; I want to refocus and resimplify because we tend to overcomplicate, and I know that’s my tendency, and the Lord is just showing me how much I need to step back and simplify and do the next step that’s right in front of me. What does God have for me right now, today? I don’t want to worry so much about the future and get ahead of myself.

What would you say to women who are thinking about coming but are on the fence?

I know that as pastors wives, we hear a lot of messages—maybe sometimes we get to attend some with our husbands, we’re listening, we’re reading, so sometimes it can feel like it’s just gonna be one more thing on our plates. But I think the uniqueness of this is that it will be just pastors’ wives instead of a women’s conference or couples’ retreat, and so to me, that’s the fun of this. Wow, we’re all very like-minded, we have the same struggles, the same desires, husbands who are in the same place in ministry, and so there’s camaraderie and the ability to feel united with so many women who are in the same place. And I’m just asking women to consider how much of a blessing it is to come together with other women to understand exactly where you’re at.

Come see Lisa and more fantastic speakers at the Defined by God conference in San Diego, CA,  November 1–3.

Register now for FREE!

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