Category: Fun

“What’s in the Bible” DVD Giveaway

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

I am participating in the “What’s in the Bible” DVD blog tour this week, sponsored by Tyndale House Publishers. I will be reviewing these new DVDs from Phil Vischer (the creator of Veggie Tales) later this week on my blog. Along with reviewing the new kids series, I will also be giving away to one of my readers, two certificates good for a free copy of the first two DVDs which together cover Genesis and Exodus.

UPDATE: Read my review of these new DVDs here.

Contest Details:

Fill in your name and email below to enter the giveaway for the first 2 What’s in the Bible DVDs. You can follow me on Twitter or subscribe to my blog today, and still qualify for the additional entries.

Plus, there’s an additional step to win 2 additional entries. If you subscribe to my new team book review blog: Crossfocusedreviews.com, you qualify. Just go over and check out the new blog and click “subscribe”!

Contest will end Friday night 3/12 at 8pm CST. Winner will be mailed a Tyndale House gift certificate to take to their local Christian bookstore which is good for a free copy of the DVD.

Use the contact form below to enter the free contest.

Contest is now closed, thanks for participating.

The winner is Marcelo Sanchez!!

Congratulations, your certificates will be mailed out shortly.

News Flash: Tune in to an Interview of Bob Hayton on the Iron Sharpens Iron Radio Broadcast with Chris Arnzen

~ Bob Hayton ~ 9 Comments

Interview Details: Live
call-in radio broadcast
Date: Monday 3/8/10
Time: 6-7pm EST / 5-6pm CST
Host: Chris Arnzen
Interviewee: Bob Hayton
Subject: Reforming
Fundamentalism through
Reformed Theology
Station: WNYG-1440 AM
On-Line: www.rcnam.com
& click “Long Island 1440 AM”

 

I’ll be LIVE on the air with Chris Arnzen, host of Iron Sharpens Iron radio, on Monday 3/8 at 6pm EST / 5pm CST. Here is the teaser that Chris is sending out about the interview. Please tune in and feel free to call in with your questions or comments.

Bob Hayton, founder of Fundamentally Reformed (see www.FundamentallyReformed.com), will address the theme: “Reforming Fundamentalism Through Reformed Theology”.

Bob is a former Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB), who now embraces Reformed Theology. He blogs to: 1) spread a passion for Jesus Christ, 2) help people harmed by extreme fundamentalism, 3) encite wider reform in fundamentalism & beyond, and 4) defend his theological positions. Bob also operates the “King James Only?” blog spot, the King James Only Research Center web site and other helpful blog spots and web sites.

According to our guest, Bob Hayton, “Often in fundamentalism, doctrine and Biblical exegesis are downplayed, ignored, or avoided. Topical or shallow messages prevail. Church members learn their do’s & don’ts but not what the Bible actually says (the arguments Biblical authors use, the context of favorite proof texts, or Bible doctrines in general). While fundamentalists claim to be standing on the Bible alone, rare is the church that actually opens itself up to Biblical scrutiny. For instance, it is an assumed thing that the Bible will not actually be shown to teach Calvinism, post-tribulational rapture, or covenant theology. So anyone who would espouse one of these positions or another similar position is immediately identified as a heretic and the church never actually carefully reviews what the Bible says on the matter…

“Fundamentalists assume that their practices, standards, and positions are Biblical to the point of reading into the Bible what is not there to support their traditions and viewpoints… while fundamentalists claim to be the stalwart defenders of true doctrine, they are in fact the defenders of old-fashioned (actually late 1800’s early 1900’s) tradition…”

Tune or log into this live, controversial, call-in broadcast and learn how Bob Hayton discovered and made the journey to embrace Reformed Theology, the *truly* old “Old Time Religion”.

To call in with questions, dial 631-482-8300. You can listen live to the broadcast at www.rcnam.com [you will have to click “Long Island 1440 AM”]. And the audio file will be freely available soon at sharpens.org.

Book Giveaway: Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

This week, as part of the Hear No Evil book blog tour, I will be giving away one copy of the book Hear No Evil: My Story of Innocence, Music and the Holy Ghost by Matthew Paul Turner. You can read my review of the book, or check out other reviews collected at the author’s blog here.

The book is an interesting read and will be of particular interest to anyone familiar with the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. After entering my book giveaway contest, check out this post on the author’s blog with links to other book giveaway contests for the book, which officially releases today. Of course, if you don’t win, you can pick up a copy on Amazon.

 

 

The contest is now closed. A winner will be announced in the comments below shortly. Thanks for participating.

 

 

God Speaks in Packages — My Entry into the Thin Places Contest

~ Bob Hayton ~ 5 Comments

I learned of this contest just today, so I’m just in time to post my entry.   Mary DeMuth is promoting her new book Thin Places by a writing contest, with the prize being an Amazon Kindle.   Here is a description of the contest:

In exactly 259 words — the retail value of a Kindle reader — tell us about a time you experienced a “thin place” in your life. These would be aha moments, beautiful realizations when the Son of God bursts through the hazy fog of our monotony and shines on us afresh, times when God has reminded or reassured you that he is real and present.

Without further ado, here is my entry:

Overwhelmed. That word best described me that night. I was woefully behind in my projects. Finals loomed ahead, almost as bleak as the financial pressures I felt. And I had never been busier in my life.

I suppose most freshmen go through a crisis their first semester. But for me this was huge. I was facing this alone — stressed out, at my wit’s end, and eaten by worry. Sounds a bit dramatic now, but I remember the feeling well.

I sought solace in a time of prayer, on my knees, under my desk in a dark room. I don’t remember if I was begging God for help, or just quiet and worn out, but I was desperate.

And then it came: a knock on the door, and a voice, “Delivery, for Bob Hayton!” I slowly backed out from my desk and met the fellow entering my room. A very large package had arrived.

I wondered if a check was inside, something tangible to get me out of the mess I was in. Instead, I was greeted with a wide assortment of treats and goodies. It was a simple care package, nothing more.

But for me, it somehow was more. It didn’t help me pass my exams or complete my projects, it didn’t rescue me from a financial bind, but it gave me the kind of help I really needed — strength to go on.

God answers prayer. He watches out for His children. Sometimes, through small things like packages, he intervenes, whispering, “I’m here, I know, I care.”

Bob’s Best Books of 2009

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

In 2009, I’ve been blessed to review 29 (make that 28, see below*) books. From these books, I wanted to list my favorites. Rather than give a top 10, which so many others have done, I thought I’d list the best book from several different categories. With some honorable mentions thrown in, I list the best 9 books of 2009.

I want to also take this opportunity to thank the 20+ publishers who have provided books for me to review here. I also owe huge thanks to my readers. Thanks to you all, my site reached over 128,000 hits this year! I aim to keep offering quality content on my blog beyond book reviews, and I pray my site has been a blessing to some of you this year in your Christian walk.

Without further ado, here are Bob’s Best Books of 2009.

Best “Christian Life” book — A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World by Paul Miller (NavPress). This is more than a challenging book on prayer. It’s an encouraging read that will inspire you to pray more. Best book I read all year, hand’s down.

Honorable mention — Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World edited by C.J. Mahaney (Crossway). Worldliness is the scourge of the modern church. This book steers clear of legalism as it addresses this important topic. You will be blessed by this extended application of 1 Jn. 2:15 “Love not the world”.

Best “Devotional” book — Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter by Nancy Guthrie (Crossway). This book collects 25 excellent readings on the importance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The selections are from great authors past and present, and will do much to stir your soul.

Best “Theology” Book — Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures by Dennis Johnson (P & R Publishing). This book should be required reading for all pastoral theology majors. Everything from biblical hermeneutics, biblical theology, the history of bible interpretation and preaching, and how the Old Testament and the New Testament are unified is covered. The best part comes when the author illustrates his method of finding Christ in all the Scriptures through several sample OT and NT texts. This book will make the Bible come alive as never before.

Honorable mention — The Erosion of Inerrancy in Evangelicalism: Responding to New Challenges to Biblical Authority by G.K. Beale (Crossway). While the discussion gets somewhat technical, the topic is important. Beale ably responds to Peter Enns’ stretching of the definition of “inerrancy”. Beale demonstrates how scholarship can interact with ancient near-Eastern studies, and yet remain faithful to a robust evangelical view of Scripture. Beale’s points are worth considering as the challenges must be faced by all students of Scripture. I particularly enjoyed Beale’s treatment of the cosmic temple theme as developed throughout Scripture. That chapter alone is worth the price of the book.

Best “Family” book — What He Must Be If He Wants to Marry My Daughter by Voddie Baucham Jr. (Crossway). This book is insightful and refreshing. In a humorous way, it handles sensitive and all-important topics. It’s perfect for parents, or young adults thinking through how best to find a mate.

Best “Reference” book — New Testament Text and Translation Commentary by Philip W. Comfort (Tyndale House). This handy tool discusses almost every textual variant that impacts translations. The variants are listed in canonical order, and the chief Greek manuscripts, Greek texts and key English Bibles are listed as supporting or following the various readings. Difficult variants are discussed at length in a layman-friendly, straightforward style.

Best “Commentary” — Reformed Expository Commentary: James by Daniel M. Doriani (P & R Publishing). This commentary is truly a joy to read. Written by a pastor-scholar, the book addresses scholarly concerns even as it pastorally applies the Scripture. This is an accessible commentary which illustrates how to handle the text. James is opened up for the reader, and the light of the gospel shines through. The book captures the right balance, in my view, of scholarship and practicality. Highly recommended.

Honorable Mention — NIV Application Commentary: Joshua by Robert Hubbard Jr. (Zondervan). This commentary was also fun to read. While it is more technical, it doesn’t aim to just inform the reader. It’s goal is to bridge the gap from the ancient world of the text to the modern day, highlighting the text’s contemporary significance. Joshua truly does come alive through this book.

See all the books I’ve reviewed here. Feel free to follow me on Goodreads, too. For information on how you can get books to review on your blog, read this post.

*I have since retabulated my numbers and am considering two small board books for kids to be just 1 book in my count.