Ipads, Kindles, eReaders, and Way of Life Materials
I purchased the first portable computer that came out (the Osborne, 1981). We had one of the first Independent Baptist Internet sites and published one of the first hypertext editions of a Bible encyclopedia. We had one of the first electronic lists for the publication of daily articles. We were among the first to publish a weekly news report and a monthly magazine in electronic edition.
WAY OF LIFE TITLES IN eBOOK FORMAT
In the beginning of 2011 we put almost all of our books into the major eBook formats (KINDLE, PDF, ePUB), including the Way of Life Encyclopedia, and made them available as downloads from our online catalog.
We are also publishing an extensive list of free eBooks, which are available at the Way of Life web site.
We publish the Fundamental Baptist Digital Library, which consists of 3,500 select books and articles comprising 1.5 gigabytes of information. It is the largest fundamentalist research database available, consisting of a contemporary church issues research library, a preacher’s information database, a Baptist history library, a Bible Version library, a library of dispensational Bible commentaries, and much more. Every book and article is in eBook (PDF) format which can be read by electronic Readers as well as desktop and laptop computers.
We also publish the Way of Life Advanced Bible Studies Series in digital format. There are currently 20 volumes averaging 265 pages each (totaling 5,500 pages of Bible study material). The subjects are Acts, Bible History and Geography, The Bible Version Issue, Defense of the Faith, First Corinthians, The Four Gospels, Genesis, Give Attendance to Doctrine, Hebrews, A History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, How to Study the Bible, James, Job, The New Testament Church, Pastoral Epistles, Proverbs, Psalms, Revelation, Romans, and Understanding Bible Prophecy.
AN EXPLODING TECHNOLOGY
The eBook is an exploding technological trend. Early in 2011, for the first time, an eBook was a bestseller on Amazon. On January 28 Amazon reported that Kindle eBooks sales have surpassed those of both hardback and paperback books. That is a major milestone. In June 2011, Barnes & Noble reported that it sold three times as many digital books through its website as print books. eBooks accounted for 20% of books sold in the U.S. in 2011. In January 2012, more than 40 eBooks outsold the print editions.
eBook readers have been out for several years, but they didn’t catch on until Amazon produced the Kindle in late 2007. The sale of eBooks was almost flat before that, but by 2008 sales increased to $100 million, in 2009 to $287 million, and in 2010 to $878 million. Some analysts project that eBook sales will pass $2 billion in 2013.
A report in USA Today for February 25, 2011, said that public libraries across the United States are seeing a surge in demand for electronic books. An electronic book supplier reported a 200% increase in eBook circulation in 2010.
People who have purchased the Kindle say that their reading habits have changed dramatically so that two out of three books they read are now eBooks.
The hugely popular Apple iPad, which was released in April 2010 and had sold 84 million units by September 2012, has provided a further massive surge in the popularity of eBooks. In addition to being an all purpose tablet computer, the iPad is an excellent eBook reader with a wide variety of reader applications available.
I have owned a Sony Reader, a Kindle, and now have an iPad and it has changed the way I read books. I read and review probably 100 books a year, often more, and have a personal library of over 6,000 volumes. I love a printed book as much as anyone, but eBooks are also a great way to go.
Continue reading this article……
Have a Blessed Christmas New Year's Season
It seems that each year about this time some people write to ask about my views on Christmas. The subject of Christmas seems to stir up as many strong passions as politics! Some of the angriest, most ungracious mail I have ever received (and that is saying something) has been from people rebuking me for having anything positive whatsoever to say about Christmas. When I announced recently that the national Christian ladies on the mission field in South Asia had some handmade Christmas cards for sale, you should have seen the comments. I was called ignorant, hypocritical, double minded, and other such things!
One most gracious Christian gentleman wrote:
“Take me off your list.... I am an ex-Catholic and my wife is also -- from the Philippines! Doubtless you are too stupid to know that worshiping God with Pagan, Dates, Symbols and Rituals does NOT please Him! We stopped 42 years ago - as soon as someone showed us, as Baptists, that it was wrong! How can you miss the encyclopedias, dictionaries, Internet and even God's word - Ex. 32-33, 1 Co. 10:1-5, Jer. 10:1-5 unless you are either not saved or wilfully disobedient! No need to answer unless you want to acknowledge just how stupid you really are!”
It is obvious that this is a deeply spiritual man who should be emulated, and I would guess that his spiritual influence is vast.
Consider another sample:
“I read of your complete hatred of the evils of Roman Catholicism -- but you're surprisingly 'silent' when in comes to the real 'demon' in the room--CHRISTMAS. How you can rant against the 'Charismatics'--but not so much a whimper against the abomination of the filthy dreamers who continue to push this 'garbage' of Jesus' birthday on Dec. 25--as being 'truth'! At least when those Charismatics are Speaking in 'gibberish' -- they aren't singing -- "Oh Holy Night--when Christ was born!" Or those silly songs about Away in a Manger--pure speculation and myths! So much for your American styled "Christianity"--full of myths and babblings about nothing--every time you sing. Christmas songs!! The whole Christmas story is purely wives' tales! But who cares? Right?”
“I am surprised Mr. Cloud, you strain gnats and filter out the many rotten poisons tied to ccm, and swallow camels tied to the pagan celebration of christmas. How can you do such a thing? Do you really not know what you are doing here?”
These folk have such a winning way, don’t they! Some of the brethren have the “gift” of making you want to do the exact opposite of what they are demanding and to run the other way when you see them coming.
We live in South Asia where our missionary work is located, and we do almost nothing for Christmas except to go out to have a nice meal and when our kids and grandkids are here we have a family get-together. We also have gospel meetings at Christmas time, because the Hindus are more likely to attend church on that occasion.
Continue reading this article……
Way of Life is a Blessing to Churches
Following are a few of the hundreds of testimonies we have received in recent years about Way of Life’s blessing on churches. We have always exalted the church as the pillar and ground of the truth and as the headquarters for world evangelism (1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 13:1-4), and a major objective of Way of Life has been to provide sound materials to help pastors in their ministries of protecting and building up the Lord’s churches.
We publish these testimonies because so many have said that Way of Life is a “negative” ministry that tears down. In fact, Way of Life is a multi-faceted preaching-teaching ministry and warning is a small but important part of that ministry.
Most of the following are written by pastors:
_________________
“I wanted to take this time to let you know how grateful we are for your coming to Westview Baptist Church, Warren, Michigan, for a Bible conference and for the great help you brought. One of the reasons this is the church it is today is because of your teachings and the WOL website. When I first met the man who is now my Pastor we were members of a liberal and worldly church, though I didn't realize it at the time. I came from out of the world and didn't know any better. I listened to CCM and watched the worldly movies that the others in the church watched until I met Tom Watson, who later became my Pastor. He found the WOL website and began to read the material and share it with me. As he began to gain conviction of certain things, he taught me. He would print out the articles and give them to me. One day he gave me one on modest apparel on women. My wife read it and was very angry until the Lord began to melt her heart. Now she is a very modestly dressed woman. Pastor also showed me about the harm of CCM and we turned aside from that as well. Four or five years ago a couple received a flier from our church and came one Sunday morning. Pastor happened to be preaching on modest apparel, and the woman became angry and said they wouldn’t be coming back. But later that night she began getting ready for church and her family asked what she was doing. She replied, ‘Going to church.’ She was saved shortly thereafter. Two years later her husband and daughter were saved also and they are some of the finest members of our church. The WOL materials have been an invaluable tool for countless people. We will always be grateful for you, Brother Cloud. We also thank you for the strong stand you take against all of the evils of the day and for teaching us what we need to watch for. Your ministry has helped more people than you could ever know!”
Bro. Cloud, Stop Defending Yourself
Some of my readers have expressed the opinion that I spend too much time defending myself.
I have a right to defend myself, but this thinking is a misunderstanding of what I am doing.
Take the series of “Replies to My Warning about Lancaster’s Music,” which I published in February and March.
The Lord being my witness and if I know my own heart at all, I did not publish those to defend myself or to say, “See, I am right!” I don’t need that type of feedback to know I am right on these issues, because the Holy Spirit has taught me that through God’s Word and my position has been unchanging through the years. The first book I wrote in 1974 was on the spiritual and moral dangers of rock music. No, I didn’t publish those things to puff myself up or to defend myself. I published them to help God’s people see that they are not alone in thinking that such things as the adaptation of CCM is dead wrong and spiritually dangerous. Further, the comments from readers were spiritually discerning and wise, and I knew they would be helpful to some of my readers, many of whom are in churches that are not strong (for the simple fact that there is no better church in the area). Those articles were teaching tools.
Take the recent article, “Reply to a Preacher Who Says I am Arrogant and Vindictive” (August 22, 2011).Continue reading this article……
Reply to a Preacher Who Says I'm Arrogant and Vindictive
I received the following e-mail in reply to the article “Turning Doctrinal Issues into Man Issues” (August 15, 2011) --
_____________________
“Regarding your complaint piece today about personality issues.
“Maybe you should step back and try and perceive how your articles come across. You can wrap yourself in piety and self-righteousness, claiming you are dealing with doctrine, but "a vast number of men" perceive your articles to be hit pieces, and in fact they are.
“Your arrogance is abrasive. Who appointed you to sit in judgment over other brethren?
“It is my understanding that you have never taken the time or effort to visit Lancaster and that you have never met Paul Chappell. Yet you sit in judgment of the man.
Two Good Bible Conferences
It was encouraging to participate in two more good Bible conferences on a recent trip to the States. (I live in South Asia where our church planting ministry is located and spend about three months a year traveling on Bible conference and research trips.)
The first was at HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, where I was graciously hosted by Pastor Terry Coomer and his wife and congregation. This was the church’s first Bible conference and the theme was the Kingdom of God, which is a doctrine that is widely abused today by Charismatics, Reconstructionists, Emergents, and others. Brother Coomer, who pioneered a church planting ministry in Indiana for many years, answered the Lord’s call to go to Little Rock a year and a half ago. Though 56 years old and not in the best of health, he answered that call the Lord has richly blessed. A financial miracle has made it possible for the fledgling congregation to purchase a nice building, and they are well on the way to filling it up. I appreciate Pastor Coomer’s humble but unbending stand for the truth in this wicked day. He is busy in soul winning (they have knocked on 23,000 doors already) and serious Bible training and discipleship. He spends much time personally discipling the flock and has started a one-night Bible Institute. Hope Baptist takes the Lord’s Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 seriously and is already a missionary-supporting congregation. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth and it is essential for the cause of truth that we establish biblically-sound, spiritually-healthy churches for the glory of Christ and the blessing of the people. As my readers know, we cannot recommend most Independent Baptist churches today, but we do recommend Hope Baptist. Continue reading this article……
Recommended Materials for Church Bookstores
The following is a work in progress. I plan to add to it as I have opportunity, though I will not necessarily try to keep the contact information contained herein up to date. Phone numbers and web site addresses change frequently and we do not have the personnel to try to keep up with that type of thing.
A well-run Christian bookstore can be a powerful and important ministry, and I believe that it is nearly essential today that churches set up their own bookstores. Even if there is a Christian bookstore in the area, it is more than probable that it contains many books that are doctrinally unsound. Further, it probably sells “Christian” rock. I have often said that one of the most dangerous places today for a Bible-believing Christian is the average bookstore. (See “Dangers in Christian Bookstores,” http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/dangers-in-christianbookstores.html).
The Lord Jesus Christ commissioned the churches with thoroughly discipling every member. He said to teach them “to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). That is part of the ministry of the Great Commission. Further, the churches are tasked with protecting the believers from false teachers. Continue reading this article……
The Parable of the Fire Alarm
There was once an international conference of Independent Baptists held in a large church. The facilities were impressive. The speakers were skilled. The unity was wonderful. Much good was being accomplished. Everyone was happy and deeply satisfied.
The only problem was that a fire was burning in the basement.
A passerby with some experience with fires smelled the smoke and decided to investigate. He discovered a small but steadily spreading fire. He was even told that this fire had been burning for some time. Disturbed, he looked around to see if any alarm was being raised, but no one seemed concerned. Strangely, some of the speakers mentioned the danger of fire in generalities, but none addressed the particular fire in their own midst.
The passerby decided to pull the alarm.
As the shrill sound pierced the air, the effect was immediate and pronounced, but it was not what the alarmist expected.
A few of the attendees heeded the alarm, looked around and saw for themselves that there was indeed a fire, and being convinced that it would spread, ran out of the building.Continue reading this article……
Reply to a Pastor Inquiring About My Research Practices
Recently I received the following e-mail:
“First of all, let me say: ‘Thank you,’ for the many informative articles I receive through FBNS However, upon the retraction of the article concerning Sister Gail Riplinger, I feel I must ask: Have you not read the book you commented on yourself? If not, do you make this a common practice, to speak on books you yourself have not read? I ask, as the Bible command is to: ‘Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.’ Again, I appreciate your work, but would also really appreciate the clarification, as this doesn't seem to be a righteous practice if it be the case.”
REPLY FROM BROTHER CLOUD
Hello:
Thank you for taking the time to write and express that question. If you had read my books and watched our DVD presentations, you would know that they are extensively documented from first-and research, but I understand that not everyone has done this, and your question is a reasonable one in light of my recent mistake in regard to Riplinger's book. Continue reading this article……
Christ's Messages to the Seven Churches
September 10, 2009 (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
This brand new professionally-produced 3-DVD video presentation is packed with graphics and video clips. It also contains extensive on-site research at the locations of these ancient churches in Turkey. The viewer will gain a deeper understanding of the conditions that existed in the Roman Empire in the days of the apostles when the first churches existed: the beautiful cities with wide colonnaded boulevards, the well-stocked libraries, the public baths with hot, warm, and cold running water, the lovely fountains, the countless marble statues, the gymnasiums, the theaters and stadiums with seating for thousands, the aqueducts, the Roman roads spanning the empire, the untold luxuries, the pagan idolatry permeating everything.
Philippines Literature Project 2008
PHILIPPINES LITERATURE PROJECT 2008
August 27, 2008 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
I have another conference scheduled for next January in the Philippines and would like to ship at least 200 sets of the Advanced Bible Studies Series (ABSS) for use by preachers there.
This is a serious set of Bible studies, the equivalent of a complete Bible College course. Many have written to us to tell us that these are life-changing. There are 19 volumes averaging 265 pages each. The subjects are Acts, Bible History and Geography, The Bible Version Issue, Defense of the Faith, First Corinthians, The Four Gospels, Genesis, Give Attendance to Doctrine, Hebrews, A History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, How to Study the Bible, Job, The New Testament Church, Pastoral Epistles, Proverbs, Psalms, Revelation, Romans, and Understanding Bible Prophecy.
The cost for printing 200 sets is $15,000. That is just the basic cost for paper and operating the printing equipment and binding. That is less than $4 per volume, which is very cheap. Volunteers are donating their labor to keep the cost down.
We plan to ship these to the church in Manila that prints the Filipino edition of O Timothy magazine each month, and they will be in charge of distribution, beginning with the January 2009 conference. This last January 300 preachers attended our Bible conference. We were able to warn about some of the dangers that are facing Bible-believing churches, such as New Evangelicalism and Contemporary Christian Music, and the warnings were very well received.
Exciting things are happening in the Philippines. There are hundreds of independent Baptist churches and until now most of them are very conservative and separated from the world, but we know that this will change if the battle is not fought to maintain the faith in the face of end-times apostasy. One thing that is urgently needed is more sound Bible training for preachers and Christian workers.
If you plan to help, we need to hear from you ASAP, because we need to print and ship the materials, and they can be shipped no later than October.
Funds should be made payable to Bethel Baptist Church and earmarked “PHILIPPINES PROJECT.” Bethel Baptist, our home church, is doing the printing.
Thank you!
Bethel Baptist Church, 4212 Campbell St. N., London, Ont. N6P 1A6, 866-295-4143, 519-652-0056 (fax)
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