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November’s Featured Module
Eternal Security of the Believer
by H.A. Ironside
This module would make a great primer for those desiring to study this precious doctrine. Our eternal security in Christ is not based on our feelings of being saved, but in the fact of salvation provided through the finished work of Christ.
The book is basically divided up into two sections: 1) The Doctrine based on exegetical truths and an understanding of Scripture; and 2) Questions and Answers about Eternal Security.
This is really Ironside at his best. His writing is not technical, nor deep. It is intensely practical, warm, and devotional. It’s like he’s sitting across the living room, having a conversation with you. The book would make a great short study for a young believer; or give plenty of sermon ideas/illustrations for the experienced preacher/teacher.
This free eS/TW module may be downloaded here (scroll down to the soteriological section).
If you’d like to purchase this for your small group (or just like holding a good book in your hands!), they are available here.
SEE OUR PAST MODULES OF THE MONTH by clicking here.
NEW Official Module(s!) Available
& An Updated Premium Module (FREE Upgrade!)
I love the ability to be able to download eSword’s official modules right from inside of eSword. I’m sure it made for a lot less headache on Rick’s part (can you imagine dealing with dozens of requests every day that basically say “HELP! How come I can’t see Barnes’ Notes?” “It’s because you installed it to your “Favorite Music” folder!). It’s so easy and convenient!
In fact, it’s so easy and convenient, I’m guessing most users rarely check back to see what’s “officially new.” And if that’s the case, I’m also guessing there are a couple of modules you’ll be interested in there.
The newest module just out is a Graphics module called “WordClouds” (that’s the tab name). DDT made a word cloud module available (author: William Bonnell; module creator: “Dyan”) back in March, 2011. Now Rick has released an official WordCloud graphics module.
If you’re not familiar with a Word Cloud, they are very striking visual representations. In the case of a Bible word cloud, they are visually very striking representations of what a book (or in the Bonnell version, groups of books) is about. Here are a couple of black & white examples of what a word cloud is (Bonnell’s and Rick’s are in color, but you get the idea).
Rick’s official “WordCloud” module is different from Bonnell’s in at least four ways:
- Rick’s WordClouds are basically alphabetized left to right (making it easier to spot key words)
- Rick used a different filter to filter out “common words” (so not all of the words in the clouds are the same)
- Rick made 66 WordClouds (one for each book), while Bonnell made 76 word clouds (one for each book, plus 10 other combinations, like OT, NT, etc.)
- Tab names are different! Bonnell’s tab name is “BCW -
Word Clouds” and Rick’s is simply “WordClouds.”
To download, simply use the “easy and too convenient” menu option inside of eSword to download modules. After downoading, restart eSword and then go to the “Graphics Viewer.” TaDaaaa!
One More Important Note
With eSword 10’s ability to now show graphics from within .topx/.refx modules, Rick
has released an update on one of his premium modules. Nelsons’s Bible Manners & Customs
has been updated to now include all of the maps, pictures, and other graphics that
eS7x-
The development of the candy cane took a few hundred years. Before the invention
of the modern pacifier, parents used to give their babies unflavored white sugar
sticks to suck on. During the 1670's a German choirmaster had the sugar sticks bent
into a shepherd's staff and passed out to children attending the Christmas services.
This holiday custom spread throughout Europe and fancy canes, decorated with roses,
were used as Christmas decorations in many homes. About 1900 the white candy cane
received its traditional red stripes and peppermint flavoring. At the same time the
legend of the candy cane came into being. According to this legend, a candy maker
in Indiana designed the candy cane to tell the true story of Christmas -
The most obvious symbolism used in the candy cane is its shape. Turned one way, it
looks like a "J" for Jesus. The newborn Lamb of God was named Jesus, meaning Savior,
because He was destined to "save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). Turned the
other way, candy canes remind us of the shepherd's staff. The first people to hear
of Christ's birth were shepherds guarding their flocks at night (Lk 2:8-
The hardness of the candy reminds us that Jesus is our rock of refuge (Deu 32:4,
15, 18; 1 Sam 2:2; 2 Sam 22:32, 47; 23:3; Psa 18:2, 31; 28:1; 92:15; 94:22; 95:1;
Is 44:8). In rocky lands like Israel, people often sought shelter from their enemies
in the caves or rocky crags of cliffs. Rocks also remind us of the solidness of the
promises of Christ who is a precious cornerstone and sure foundation to those who
follow Him, but a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offence" to those who reject
His gift of peace (1 Pet 2:6-
The whiteness of the candy brings to mind the Virgin Birth and the sinless life of
Christ (Mt 1:23; Lk 1:34-
The traditional candy cane has 3 small red stripes to remind us of the soldiers'
stripes by which we are healed and a larger stripe which represents the blood shed
by Christ on Calvary's tree (Is 53:5; Mt 27:32-
The peppermint flavor of modern candy canes is said to be similar to hyssop. In Old
Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. During the
first Passover celebrations, a bundle of hyssop was used to smear the blood of Passover
lambs upon the doorposts of houses so that the Angel of Death would pass over their
occupants (Ex 12:22). Bundles of hyssop were also used to sprinkle blood on worshipers
and objects during Mosaic purification rituals (Ex 24:6-
The Legend of the Candy Cane
See my tips to “Maximize Productivity” with eSword settings & more.
Use eSword for Personal Revival in 2012 -
I think it’s fair to state that the American church is in (great) need of revival. When does revival start? Evangelist Gypsy Smith used to encourage individuals to take a piece of chalk, kneel down, and draw a circle around themselves. They were then to look up to heaven, and pray: “Lord God, send revival, and begin it right here in this circle!”
While our desire is for God to send revival to America, to our local church, and to our family, we need to start inside that circle of one. We need to start with “me.” Revival is simply our own relationship with God being rekindled and revived.
eSword provides great tools to help with personal revival. Are you interested in reading more? Click here to read the entire blog.
eSword & Personal Revival 2012
Using eSword’s Revival Tools For Personal Revival In Your Life
DDT Site Report 2011
This year was a year of upheaval in my world, and in the eSword world. I moved cross country twice; three major versions of eSword were released; one new version of theWord was issued; and two new eSword websites were launched.
Through all of that upheaval, though, a tremendous amount of solid, evangelical material has been created for eSword and theWord. From a content perspective, 2011 was the best year ever for eSword and theWord since the creation of the two programs.
Interesting DDT.com Site Stats
OK, let’s start with some “bean counting.” (These site statistics come from Google Analytics.) We had 46,243 visits this year, from 15,632 “new” visitors. Our best month was November, when we had nearly 5,500 visits. This year, we had...
Want to read the entire DDT Site Report 2011? Click here!