Category: By This Name

By This Name on air in Sri Lanka

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Latest posts by Staff Writer (see all)

Radio

Every time we receive a report from a partner ministry, our hearts are encouraged. It is always good to hear how our tools are being used in another part of the globe.

At the beginning of this year, TWR in Sri Lanka, with our permission, took By This Name and created a weekly radio broadcast in Sinhala called, God’s Unique Book. Sinhala is one of the three official languages of Sri Lanka. In just two months of being on air, TWR had received over 50 letters and phone calls from listeners. Here are some quotes that have been translated from Sinhala into English:

Continue reading “By This Name on air in Sri Lanka”

More eBooks on our stores

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Latest posts by Staff Writer (see all)

By This Name eBook

A few months ago, we began the process of updating our eBooks. We wanted to ensure that each version worked well across a range of ebook readers and reading apps.

We are making progress on this project. We now have nine ten fifteen eBooks on our stores (Australia, Canada, UK and USA), with more on the way.

With each purchase of an eBook, you will be able to download three different file types: Mobi, ePub and PDF.

Continue reading “More eBooks on our stores”

God has allowed us to guide many friends

Naomi
Naomi
Naomi
Latest posts by Naomi (see all)

Faithful Couple
“Our days are full from morning till night… our weeks pretty much revolve around spending time with friends and doing By This Name studies.”

It all started when Josh* attended a TERM Seminar in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in 2010. He learned how to use GoodSeed tools to guide a course about the Bible in a way that makes sense. When he returned home he immediately shared what he had learned with his wife Steph*. As a couple they began praying that God would bring opportunities. Since then, their life has become quite busy–in a good way! God has allowed them to guide many of their friends and acquaintances in their small rural town to a clear understanding of the Bible’s main message–the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Continue reading “God has allowed us to guide many friends”

Kenyan translator teaches as he was taught

Naomi
Naomi
Naomi
Latest posts by Naomi (see all)

Kenya-BTNLast year Lewis,* a pastor from Arizona, joined a team of Bible teachers organized by Village Ministries International to travel from USA to Uganda and Kenya. Their objective was to provide Bible training resources for indigenous pastors and teachers.

Abasi,* a young Kenyan fluent in both English and Swahili, volunteered to be a translator for the team. As they travelled over rough terrain from village to village, Abasi faithfully and accurately conveyed the teaching with conviction to over 200 people who attended the meetings. By the end of the trip, it was clear to Lewis and the others that young Abasi was not only a good communicator but also a keen and humble student of the Word.

Continue reading “Kenyan translator teaches as he was taught”

The ladies’ tea and book club

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Latest posts by Staff Writer (see all)

Cuppa Tea

Jody* is a hairstylist who has many co-workers and clients whom she has come to know as friends. Recently, she took a step of faith and discovered a simple and effective way to help her friends clearly understand and believe in the good news of Jesus Christ.

Jody explains how she makes meaningful connections with her clients:

“As a stylist, I work hard to make the women who sit in my chair look and feel beautiful. As a Christian, I want to be a good listener, so that each one knows I truly care for them.”

Continue reading “The ladies’ tea and book club”

I finally understand what they talk about in church!

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Latest posts by Staff Writer (see all)

Bible in pew at church

Editor’s note: One of our GoodSeed staff members, Reuben*, had the opportunity last year to speak at a sports camp for youth. He wanted to share the testimony of one of the campers.

Last October, an email was relayed to me from a young man named Tyler* who I had met at camp several weeks earlier. Tyler wrote:

“Reuben* is the reason I turned back to God. I met him at the sports camp this summer and I have been unable to find his email address… I would like to contact him again. He has truly inspired my faith. Also, he gave me a book called By This Name and it has helped me a lot to make progress in my faith. =)”

Tyler gave me credit for turning him back to God, but I give the credit to God and thank Him for using me in His work. In His strength and guidance we stand! I managed to get in touch again with Tyler and he shared with me about his walk since hearing me teach the Bible’s message from creation to the cross. He writes:

“I have been reading the book you gave to me. It has really changed my life. I wish my friends were able to experience what I did at the sports camp. I have one friend who does not believe in God and only wants to believe in what he can understand. I have gotten him a bit more towards following Christ. But I don’t know what more I can do. At my church and youth group, I still make references to what you talked about at camp and it has helped me FINALLY understand what they talk about in church.”

An understood gospel is a powerful gospel; it changes lives and gives believers the confidence to share it with others. Pray with us that, just as Tyler was guided through the gospel message, he can guide his friend through the good news of the Bible in the same way.

(*Name changed as per GoodSeed policy.)

 

Photo credit: Bala Sivakumar on Flickr

 

I found the Bible daunting!

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Latest posts by Staff Writer (see all)

The Great BibleWe received an email all the way from Malaysia. This older gentleman was recently given a copy of By This Name. After he read it, he was compelled to write to us. This is what he shared:

This well structured and cleverly written book by John R Cross played a great part in my knowing God and accepting His gracious gift of salvation through faith in His beloved son Jesus Christ. I had previously tried to read the Holy Bible but found it not only daunting to go through the first few chapters but also found the scriptural language difficult to understand. It would have been near impossible for me to read through the thousands of pages and make sense of them. On the other hand By This Name is presented in such a way that the modern-day non-believers’ doubts are quickly dispelled by addressing issues of science and why God is unique and is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow… and He always keeps his promises.

With these initial possible obstacles of the modern man addressed, John then narrated the Bible in simple English and in a comprehensible and cohesive manner so that the reader can easily grasp the essence (basic essentials) of the Holy Bible without having to plough through thousands of pages in the Bible. Of course it is imperative to know more deeply the Word of God in order to grow spiritually and to obey Lord Jesus’ Great Commission. However, the non-believer must first become a believer and that is by knowing what God’s grace is all about. The sooner he obtains this knowledge the sooner the Holy Spirit can then work on him.

I realize that what has worked for me may not work for another. But I have reasons to believe that there are others out there who are seeking to learn more about the Holy Bible who can be helped through the reading of By This Name. — Benjamin*

We never know what will happen when we give a friend a book. We thank Benjamin for taking the time to write to let us know the impact that By This Name has had on his understanding of the Bible. It was encouraging for our staff to receive his story. We pray he will continue to read the Word and grow deeper in his understanding and in his walk with Christ. Praise God for his testimony.

[*Name changed as per GoodSeed policy.]

See By This Name on our US Store or on our Canada Store.

Why do you give the name Yahweh high profile in By This Name and What are Christmas and Easter all about?

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Latest posts by Staff Writer (see all)

yhwh sky

For those with limited experience confronting non-biblical worldviews, the use of Yahweh in these books seems a little unnecessary. Why even bring that name up? Will it not be confused with Jehovah Witnesses?

To start with, those who are biblically illiterate wouldn’t know that the name Jehovah and Yahweh are related. So it is no problem to them—they don’t make the connection to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. As for the Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves, they do know the connection, which makes these two books more acceptable to them rather than otherwise.

Continue reading “Why do you give the name Yahweh high profile in By This Name and What are Christmas and Easter all about?”

Who shares Bible verses at a soccer match?!

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Latest posts by Staff Writer (see all)

Soccer match
(Editor’s note: Over Christmas, we received a very encouraging testimony that reminded us of three things: 1) the power of God to transform lives, 2) the effectiveness of the prayers of friends and family, and 3) the fruit resulting from a lifelong lifestyle of sharing the gospel.)

During a Christmas Eve service last year, Stephen* shared how he had been turned off by Christianity when he was 17. While watching a soccer match at a stadium, someone invited him to read aloud some Bible verses. That immediately put him off anything to do with Christianity.

Over the years, whatever Stephen learned about the Bible was gleaned from TV documentaries. It didn’t make sense to him. Then, Mabel*, a friend of his wife, invited both of them to attend a “By This Name” course. Stephen wasn’t interested but his wife insisted on him accompanying her. Unknown to him at the time, Mabel and his wife had been praying very hard for Stephen to attend the course.

Continue reading “Who shares Bible verses at a soccer match?!”

What is the point of the Bible?

Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Latest posts by Staff Writer (see all)

what is the point
“I’ve read and read… but what’s the point?!”

My friend Joel* was confused and his frustration boiled over as we talked. A college student with a girlfriend and a new baby at home, Joel sincerely wanted to make better decisions for his young family. In his desperation he told me that he had begun to read the Bible for the first time in his life. And read he did!

Using a read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year approach, he bounced between much of the Old Testament and most of the gospels in only a few months’ time. But his motivation was fading–fast!

Continue reading “What is the point of the Bible?”