To Be or Not to Be -- an Abraham, or Deborah, or...

To Be or Not to Be -- an Abraham, or Deborah, or...

ENUMCLAW, Wash., June 13 /Christian Newswire/ -- Some were godly and righteous and others blatantly evil, but all can be case studies for modern day living. To help us know how to live (and how not to), Paul Ireland examines the lives of the noble and ignoble in his book, "Patterns for Living, Practical Lessons to be Learned from Men and Women of the Old Testament."

The ancient stories of the wandering Israelites or the life of Job have plenty to teach us today, as does the examples set by saints of great stature like Noah or Joshua and lesser-known, common people like Jochebed and Amram. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own son, and the Hebrew midwives chose to go against the law of an earthly king to obey God and save a generation. Whether king or slave, these men and women were presented with an option to serve God or to ignore His commands, and in some cases they did both. Like anyone, men like Moses and David had success and failure. They enjoyed God's blessing by being obedient and were devastated because of their disobedience.

At all times, God the Creator and his son Jesus Christ are to be our supreme pattern for living, but there are valuable lessons to be learned from the lives of characters in the Old Testament. In referring to these inspired writings, St. Paul said in Romans 15:4, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Through careful Old Testament study and analysis, Paul Ireland has compiled a comprehensive collection of life stories and practical advice that are an encouragement or a warning for each of us today. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College, and a Christian Education degree, a teaching credential, and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has been pastor at churches in Hopedale, Massachusetts and Downers Grove, Illinois and prison Minister in Riverside, California. Much of his career has been spent as a house painter and contractor, giving him an appreciation of the physical and practical side of life. Paul and his wife are active in their local church and serve on the CMTA/Glass Convention Board. They have four adult children and many grandchildren.

For a review copy or to schedule interviews contact Adam Cothes, adam@winepressgroup.com

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