To The One Who Conquers

I decided to do something a little bit different for this post. I just began reading the book of Revelation and am finding that the messages Jesus has for the seven churches to be very applicable to my own life. In the end of each message to a church, Jesus offers some form of hope when we encounter trials in this world. If we overcome these trials Jesus has rewards stored up for us. I decided to summarize all the rewards Jesus talks about if not for others' benefit simply for my own. Writing things down seems to help me process thoughts and retain them much more effectively. The following summary is from chapters 2-3 of Revelation.
The one who conquers:
-Will eat of the tree of life
-Will not be hurt by the second death
-Will receive some of the hidden manna
-Will be given a white stone with a new name that no one knows except for he who receives it.
-Will be given the morning star
-Will be clothed in white garments
-Will never have his name blotted out of the book of life
-Will have his name confessed before my (Jesus') Father and his angels
-Will be made a pillar in the temple of my (Jesus') God
-Will have the name of God, the name of the city of God,the name of the new Jerusalem, and Jesus' new name written on him.

I'm excited.

"Bold Love" a Part-by-Part book review

I've recently begun reading a book entitled "Bold Love" by Dr. Dan B. Allender & Dr. Tremper Longman III. Besides the book being highly recommended to me by a few different people, what drew me to the book itself was actually the cover. Underneath the title, a few bullet points introduce what will be covered throughout the book.
-Know the difference between loving an evil person, a fool, and a normal sinner.
-What it means to "honor" a wicked parent.
-Why anger usually outlives forgiveness
-How to love an abusive person without opening yourself up to more damage.
-How a passion for revenge can work on love's behalf.
Pretty intriguing stuff to all be jammed into one 300 page book! The introduction starts out really just debunking the"forgive-and-forget" philosophy that Christians tend to use when "forgiving" others . He explores the idea that using this approach, really doesn't display love. This isn't suggesting that there aren't times when people are just being petty and should ignore minor irritations. Dr. Allender says,"Forgiving love is the inconceivable, unexplainable pursuit of the offender by the offended for the sake of restored relationship with God, self, and others." This concludes the summary of the introduction of the book. Good stuff so far! Definitely check this one out.