Showing results by narrator "Mel Jackson" in All Categories

Before the gospels were written, there were proto-gospels, notes, lists, and collections used to construct the gospels we have today. Some gospels were used and built upon to form other, expanded gospels. The “Q” Document was used as a memory tool and literary scaffolding by Matthew and Luke in the writing of their gospels. Although many scholars believe Mark had access to the oldest parts of Q, others believe he did not. Since Mark predates Matthew and Luke, they believe Mark was used as a template for Matthew and Luke.

The story of Mary empowers us. To many, she is the captive, possessed, enslaved, caught in the midst of crime and tragedy, but at once redeemed, set free, and loved by God himself. She is hope and triumph. She represents the power of truth and love to change the life of the lowest and most powerless of us. She is you and me in search of God.

The Book of Gad the Seer, also called The Word of Gad the Seer, is said to have been written by the Prophet mentioned in 1 Chronicles 29:29. The passage reads: "Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in The Book of Gad the Seer."

We are about to take a journey into the rewarding and challenging world of the Enneagram. Those with prior knowledge of the Enneagram will instantly notice the fresh approach taken in the pages to come. With a new vantage point comes new information and application. We will examine basic concepts of psychology with a focus on those ideas of Carl Jung, whose teachings greatly influenced the founders of the Enneagram of today. We will also learn to identify personality types in order to quickly classify basic traits, strengths, and weaknesses.

The Pastor of Hermas is a Christian literary work of the first or second century, considered a valuable book by many Christians, and considered canonical scripture by some of the early Church fathers such as Irenaeus. The Pastor or The Shepherd of Hermas had great authority in the second and third centuries. It was bound as part of the New Testament in the Codex Sinaiticus, and it was listed between the Acts of the Apostles and the Acts of Paul in the stichometrical list of the Codex Claromontanus.

Certain elements, rituals, and stories have been passed down within the brotherhood of masons from those great workers and architects that created structures from King Solomon’s Temple to the classic churches of the Middle Age. The stories and legends of our progenitor and our first Grandmaster could be true. The layout of the lodge and the offices occupied within the lodges of the Freemasons may indeed date back to the time of King Solomon, yet none of these events explain the strange words, terms, and and military-like events taking place within the lodge today.

Esaias is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name, Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet. In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Isaiah is considered one of the major prophetic books, so named because of the size of the books. The books of the major prophets are made up of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. This is not to say the major prophets are any more important, but only that the books are larger than books written by other prophets, called the minor prophets.

The tone of the book is set by a man deeply troubled about the state of his fellow Jews and the world in general. He is reaching out to the Jews in exile in Babylon attempting to explain to them that their captivity and exile is God's response to Israel's pagan worship. Jeremiah frames his metaphors in several ways, hoping the Jews will understand the weight of their sins. He tells them they are like an unfaithful wife, rebellious children, and their infidelity and rebelliousness made God’s judgment inevitable.

Although the book presents the Jewish leaders Judas, Jonathan, and Simon as devout people and has little sympathy for people who favor Hellenization, it must be noted that he nowhere mentions divine intervention. The author must have been a cultivated Jew living in Judah, and can be dated to c.100 B.C.E.

Before you are the books referred to as the Minor Prophets. This portion of the Septuagint contains the books of Osee, Joel, Amos, Obdias, Jonas, Michaeas, Naum, Ambacum, Sophonias, Aggaeus, Zacharias, and Malachias. As the known world became Hellenized, the Jews began to lose their ability to read and write Hebrew. Jewish leaders were alarmed that soon no one would be able to read and teach the Torah. Owing to this, a Greek version was commissioned. The earliest writer who gives an account of the Septuagint version is Aristobulus, a Jew who lived in the second century BC.

The year is 1620. You ask me why I’m scared, sad, and blue? I’m a wild turkey, and everybody’s out to get me. Owls, foxes, bobcats, snakes, humans, and other predators want me for dinner. Will I survive?

One fine sunny day, Craymer the Crab is enjoying the cool breeze and warm sand at the beach. Seacliff the Seagull makes a mewing sound just like a kitten. He smacks his beak because he’s hungry. Will he eat Craymer the Crab?

A colorfully illustrated retelling of a Grimm’s Fairy Tale about a wife and husband who are both poor shoemakers. In a time of need, they are helped by the kindness of strangers.

A retelling of an Aesop fable to guess the moral. "A woman and her husband lived at the top of Gooseberry Hill. (Have you ever tasted gooseberries?) They went to their goose pen and were greatly surprised! It was the surprise of all surprises, or was it? What do you think they saw?

Mel Jackson's daughter presented him with a diary on Father's Day and asked him to leave a legacy of words - memories to read to her children after he was gone. The author decided to acquaint her to his father, whom she had never known. Here is an attempt to set to chronicle an experience that, to a young boy, made no sense. At times, telling his childhood stories to his children caused them to laugh. This time it is to inform, sadden, and also amuse. There is no attempt to vilify, but only describe a young boy's longing for the love of his father.

This volume offers a panoramic view of various sects of Gnosticism and ancient texts presenting major parts of the faith. This book contains: The Apocyphon of John, The Gospel of Truth, Treaties on the Resurrection, The Gospel of Peter, and The Apocalypse of Peter. Gnosticism is a diverse and complex religious and philosophical movement that emerged in the early centuries of the Common Era, primarily in the Mediterranean world.

DIY Backyard Upgrades: Summer Home Project Guide is your friendly companion for a season of rewarding weekend projects. Designed for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts in their 30s to 60s, this practical guide will help you enhance your outdoor space with confidence and creativity. With warm weather and longer days on your side, it's the perfect time to tackle those backyard upgrades you've been dreaming about.

Is your family gearing up for the college admissions rollercoaster? College Application Bootcamp: Get Ahead This Summer is a timely guide that turns the summer before senior year into a strategic advantage. Designed for rising seniors (Class of 2026, 2027, and beyond) and their supportive parents, this book delivers a step-by-step summer action plan to conquer applications with confidence. Learn how to craft standout Common App essays, boost SAT/ACT scores, polish your resume, and secure recommendation letters before the fall frenzy.

There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh barbecue sizzling on the grill on a warm summer day. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a first-time griller, the act of cooking outside with family and friends is an experience that creates lasting memories. This cookbook, Backyard BBQ Mastery, is designed to take your grilling skills to the next level. It’s packed with fresh recipes, simple techniques, and helpful tips that will make your next cookout a hit!

Are you ready to turn your summer into a launchpad for career success? Career Recharge: Upgrade Your Skills This Summer is a motivational guide for go-getters in their 20s, 30s, or 40s who refuse to let the summer months slip by. This book shows you how to leverage 8–12 weeks of “downtime” to level up your professional skills, strengthen your personal brand, and expand your network – all so you can step into the fall job market with confidence.