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Showing posts from March, 2023

Alexander the Great

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Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a King of Macedonia who lived from 356 BC to 323 BC. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful military commanders in history, and his empire spanned from Greece to northwestern India. Alexander was born in Pella, Macedonia, in 356 BC, the son of King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympia. He was educated by the philosopher Aristotle and showed an early interest in military strategy and tactics. In 336 BC, at the age of 20, he succeeded his father as king after Philip II was assassinated. Alexander quickly consolidated his power in Greece and then set his sights on the Persian Empire, which had been the dominant power in the region for centuries. In 334 BC, he crossed the Hellespont with an army of approximately 35,000 soldiers and began his campaign against Persia. Alexander won a series of decisive battles against the Persians, including the battles of Issus and Gaugamela, and by 330 BC, he had conquered

General Reflections - Part 1

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Here are some general reflections based on scriptures and personal experience. God works in your life by opening and closing doors. He also tests you by giving you opportunities to close doors on your own. Your spiritual growth is reflected in your gratitude for all the doors that have been closed. Humiliation can sometimes be a precursor to humility and eventual exaltation. This is exemplified in the lives of many biblical figures, including Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel, and above all, Jesus. If you seek humility, do not fear divinely-ordained humiliation; instead, embrace it with joy. Many of the men that God has used in powerful ways prayed for around three hours each day. If you are serious about being used by God, start by dedicating a tithe of your time to prayer. The greatest evidence of God's existence is transformation from someone who denies him to someone who desires him above all. When you become more like Christ, you give him great joy, as he sees in you the r

Francis Asbury

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Francis Asbury (1745-1816) was a prominent figure in the early history of Methodism in America, and is often referred to as the "Father of American Methodism." Born in England, he became a preacher at a young age and was ordained as a Methodist minister in 1771. Asbury was one of the first Methodist missionaries to come to America, arriving in 1771. He quickly became a leader in the Methodist movement in America, serving as a circuit rider and preaching in areas that had not yet been reached by other ministers. Asbury traveled extensively, preaching and establishing new congregations throughout the colonies, often on horseback and enduring difficult living conditions. In 1784, Asbury was appointed by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, as one of the first two superintendents of the Methodist Church in America. As a superintendent, Asbury played a key role in shaping the organizational structure of the church and overseeing its growth. He was known for his tireless work eth

Lilias Trotter

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Lilias Trotter (1853-1928) was a British artist and missionary, known for her exceptional talent in watercolor painting and her dedication to serving God through her work. Born in London, Trotter grew up in a wealthy family and received a privileged education, which included training in art. She showed great promise as an artist, and her paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. However, Trotter's life took a different turn when she became interested in Christian mission work. In 1888, she met the evangelist John Mott, who inspired her to devote her life to spreading the gospel. She joined the North Africa Mission, an organization dedicated to evangelizing Muslims in Algeria and Tunisia. Trotter spent the next forty years of her life in North Africa, living among the local people and sharing the message of Christ with them. She also continued to paint, using her artistic talents to create beautiful images that illustrated biblical themes and stories. Trotter&

Philip Melanchthon

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Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) was a German theologian, humanist scholar, and Protestant reformer. He was born in Bretten, Germany, and was initially trained in the classics and philosophy. He later studied theology at the University of Wittenberg, where he became a close friend and collaborator of Martin Luther. Melanchthon played a key role in the Protestant Reformation, particularly in the development of the Lutheran Church. He was a prolific writer and contributed significantly to the development of Protestant theology, education, and humanism. Melanchthon's most famous work is his "Loci Communes," which became a foundational text of Protestant theology. He also wrote many commentaries on the Bible and other theological works. In addition, he played a significant role in the development of the educational system in Germany, advocating for the importance of classical languages and humanistic education.

1727 Herrnhutt Revival

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In the early 18th century, Europe was going through a period of religious decline, as the Enlightenment had brought about a questioning of traditional religious beliefs and practices. However, in 1727, a remarkable event occurred in the small town of Herrnhutt in Germany, which would become known as the Herrnhutt Revival. This revival had a profound impact on the religious landscape of Europe, and its effects are still felt today. Herrnhutt was a small village in Saxony, Germany, founded by a group of Protestant refugees from Moravia who had fled persecution in their homeland. The group was led by Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a devout Christian who believed in the importance of personal spiritual experience and the need for religious revival. Under his guidance, the refugees established a community in Herrnhutt, where they could worship freely and live according to their beliefs. The community at Herrnhutt was unique in many ways. It was a mixture of different Protestant denom

Cyrus the Great

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Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Persian Empire and a renowned conqueror who lived in the 6th century BCE. He was born in the city of Anshan, in modern-day Iran, and was part of the Achaemenid dynasty, which ruled over the Persian Empire. Cyrus the Great began his reign as a local king in the region of Pars, but he soon expanded his territory through a series of successful military campaigns. He conquered the neighboring kingdom of Media in 550 BCE, followed by the kingdoms of Lydia and Babylon in the following years. He is also known for his victory over the Median king Astyages, which consolidated his power in the region. Despite his military conquests, Cyrus was known for his leniency towards the conquered peoples, often allowing them to retain their own cultures and religions. This approach earned him the respect of many of the peoples he conquered, and helped to maintain stability throughout his empire. Cyrus was also known for his respect for human rights and his promotion

Battle of Carchemish

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The Battle of Carchemish was a historic battle fought between the Babylonians and the Egyptians in 605 BCE. The battle took place near the city of Carchemish, located in present-day Turkey, on the banks of the Euphrates River. The Babylonians, under the command of King Nebuchadnezzar II, had been expanding their empire and had gained control of much of Mesopotamia. The Egyptians, led by Pharaoh Necho II, had been attempting to expand their influence into the same region and had allied themselves with the Assyrians. The two armies clashed at Carchemish, and despite being outnumbered, the Babylonians were victorious. This victory secured Babylon's position as the dominant power in the region and marked the end of Egypt's attempt to expand into Mesopotamia. The Battle of Carchemish is significant because it marked a major shift in power from the Egyptian Empire to the Babylonian Empire. It also marked the beginning of the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, who were taken as prisone

Gutenberg Bible

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The Gutenberg Bible is one of the most famous and important books in history. It is named after Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, who printed the first edition in the 1450s in Mainz, Germany. The Gutenberg Bible was the first book to be printed using moveable type, a revolutionary invention that allowed for the mass production of books. It is estimated that around 180 copies of the Gutenberg Bible were printed, and today only around 50 survive. Today, many of these copies are held in libraries and museums around the world, including the British Library, the Library of Congress, and the Vatican Library.  The Gutenberg Bible consists of two volumes, with 1,282 pages printed in Latin. It features the Old and New Testaments, and includes a variety of artistic elements such as ornate initials and illustrations. The text is printed in a blackletter typeface, which imitates the handwriting of scribes at the time.

Samuel Logan Brengle

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Samuel Logan Brengle (1860-1936) was an American minister, evangelist, and author who is best known for his influential work in the early days of the Salvation Army in the United States. Brengle was born in Vineland, New Jersey, in 1860. He was raised in a devout Christian family and had a strong desire to become a minister from a young age. However, he struggled with his faith as a young man and was involved in a number of unfulfilling pursuits before finally experiencing a spiritual awakening in his mid-20s. In 1887, Brengle joined the Salvation Army and quickly rose through the ranks to become a prominent leader within the organization. He was known for his passionate preaching style and his commitment to the spiritual growth and well-being of his followers. Brengle was also a prolific author and wrote a number of books on Christian spirituality, including "Helps to Holiness," "The Way of Holiness," and "When the Holy Ghost is Come." His writing was cha

Frank Laubach

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Frank Charles Laubach (1884-1970) was an American Christian missionary and literacy advocate who is best known for his work in promoting literacy and self-improvement through what he called the "each one teach one" method. Laubach was born on September 2, 1884, in Benton, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a devout Christian family. After earning a degree in philosophy from Princeton University in 1909, he studied theology and became a missionary in the Philippines. There, he was struck by the large number of illiterate people he encountered and began to develop his "each one teach one" method, which involved teaching one person to read and write and then asking that person to teach another. Over the course of his career, Laubach traveled to more than 100 countries, including India, China, and Africa, where he worked to promote literacy and self-improvement among people of all ages and backgrounds. He also authored numerous books and articles on literacy and spirituality,

John Wesley

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John Wesley (1703-1791) was an English theologian, evangelist, and founder of the Methodist movement. He was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, to Samuel and Susanna Wesley, both of whom were Anglican priests. Wesley received his education at Christ Church College, Oxford, where he was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1728. After a brief stint as a curate, he joined his brother Charles Wesley in preaching the gospel to the poor and marginalized communities around England. In 1738, Wesley had a life-changing experience that he later referred to as his "Aldersgate experience," where he felt his heart "strangely warmed" and received a profound assurance of God's grace. This experience deepened his faith and fueled his passion for evangelism. Over the course of his ministry, Wesley traveled extensively throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, preaching to large crowds in open fields and public squares. He also wrote extensively, publishing sermons, hymns, and

Lettie Cowman

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Lettie Burd Cowman (1870–1960) was a Christian author and missionary who is best known for her book, "Streams in the Desert". Born in 1870 in Indiana, she grew up on a farm and developed a strong faith in God at an early age. After completing her education, she worked as a teacher and then as a secretary for the YMCA. In 1901, Lettie married Charles Cowman, a successful businessman who shared her passion for missions. Together, they traveled the world as missionaries, sharing the gospel in various countries including Japan, China, and India. Their experiences were chronicled in Lettie's books, which include "Climbing", "Milestones in the Life of Faith", and "Silver Threads Among the Gold". In addition to her writing and missionary work, Lettie also founded the Oriental Missionary Society, which trained and supported missionaries to work in Asia. She was a strong advocate for women's ministry and played a key role in the founding of the Wo

James Outram Fraser

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James Outram Fraser (1886-1938) was a British missionary and linguist who dedicated his life to studying and documenting the languages and cultures of the Lisu and other minority ethnic groups in southwest China. Fraser first arrived in China in 1910 as a representative of the China Inland Mission, and spent the next several decades living among the Lisu people in Yunnan province. Fraser was not only interested in spreading Christianity to the Lisu people, but also in preserving their cultural heritage and language. He was an accomplished linguist, and his work in documenting and analyzing the Lisu language is still considered valuable today. Fraser also compiled a detailed ethnography of the Lisu people, which includes descriptions of their customs, beliefs, and daily life. Perhaps Fraser's most enduring legacy is his role in helping to develop the Fraser alphabet, a writing system for the Lisu language that is still in use today. Fraser believed that preserving the Lisu language

Cambridge Seven

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The Cambridge Seven were a group of seven young men who studied at Cambridge University in the late 19th century and became famous for their decision to give up their privileged lives in order to become missionaries in China. The group consisted of Arthur T. Polhill-Turner, Stanley P. Smith, Montagu Harry Proctor Beauchamp, C.T. Studd, D.E. Hoste, Cecil H. Polhill, and William Wharton Cassels. Their decision to become missionaries was inspired by the evangelist D.L. Moody, who visited Cambridge in 1884 and spoke about the need for missionaries in China. The Cambridge Seven were deeply moved by Moody's message and decided to devote their lives to spreading the Gospel in China.

Smith Wigglesworth

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Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947) was a British evangelist and faith healer who played a significant role in the Pentecostal movement. He was born in Menston, Yorkshire, England, and became a plumber by trade. In 1882, he married Polly Featherstone, and together they had four children. Wigglesworth had a deep faith in God and believed in the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit to heal the sick and perform miracles. He began preaching in 1892 and became known for his bold, straightforward style and his ability to heal the sick and cast out demons. Wigglesworth's ministry was marked by many notable healings and miracles, including the raising of several people from the dead. He traveled extensively, preaching in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and other parts of the world. In addition to his healing ministry, Wigglesworth was also an author and wrote several books, including "Ever Increasing Faith" and "Faith That Prevails."