Offthebookshelf.com
Mark Stevens
Chaplain Stevens graduated from the Institute of Jewish Studies, a school of the Philadelphia Biblical University. He is an ETA (Evangelical Training Association) certified Bible Teacher. He holds a BA in Theology and an MA in Ministry from Freedom Bible College and Seminary, and is the final stages of receiving his Doctorate in Ministry from Freedom. He has completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Cooper Trauma Center. He is a staff Chaplain at Cooper University Hospital and Ancora Psychiatric Hospital. He is also a Certified Psychiatric Rehab Counselor. He is the published author of 3 books When God Hides His Face , Be Sure Your Drink Isn’t Poisoned, and Why God Had to Die He can be reached for speaking engagements and books signings at….
chaplainstevens@gmail.com
609-346-8343
All Books By This Author:
- When God Hides His Face
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I chose to develop this thesis to assist people that minister to the sick, the dying, and the people that have been affected by the careless words and insensitivity of others. I have experienced pain and tragedy in my own personal life and as a Hospital Chaplain and Prison Minister I have seen my fair share of pain. I spent 23 years in the Air Force and I have seen the effects of war and death. I came home from Desert Storm and came down with an Auto-Immune disease (Sarcoidosis) like many of my fellow service men, we suffer for reasons no one can or is willing to give an answer. I am blind in one eye, I am in pain 24/7 from the rheumatoid condition caused by the Sarcoidosis and I also have Lymphadema from lymph node damage from the Sarcoidosis.
This book is for care-givers, pastors, chaplains, and hospice workers....or someone that is dealing with their own personal pain.
- Genres: Religion
- Why God Had to Die
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Millions of people think Jesus (Yeshua) was just a “good” man, a guru of sorts, or a prophet with a nice message. Jesus was and is God. C.S. Lewis said a man that made the claims Jesus did had to be God or a lunatic. Denial of this fact can cost you your soul. If this knowledge is SO important, why is it hidden to so many? Keep reading. I pray you are enlightened.
It has been said that trying to understand the trinity of God will make one lose their mind...but denying the trinity will cost you your soul. Millions of people are of the opinion that Jesus was some New Age guru that found nirvana, The Holy Spirit is some impersonal force (i.e. Star Wars), and God is a cosmic big bang that accidentally spawned mankind from some left-over protoplasm. The problems with these lines of thought are that they will leave you without a heavenly Father, a Savior for your soul, and a Spirit to keep and guide you. There are some specific things that we shall examine to help you defend and understand the truth about Jesus humanity and deity. Jesus is the most talked about man in history, and sadly the most misunderstood and misrepresented. Jesus was a Jewish carpenter who was also The Son of God. To some it seems quite contradictory for God to subject himself to such a humble existence. The Jews expected the Messiah to be a warrior and not a humble servant. Even Christians forget that Jesus was the ultimate example of servitude. Remember Peter’s reaction when Jesus wanted to wash his feet? Peter knew that God was kneeling before him and it was hard for him to understand how the Messiah could wash his feet.
- Genres: Family, Religion, Spirituality
- Why is My Church Dying?
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“America has thousands of churches! There are some in Cathedrals, Small Chapels, Storefronts, Private Homes and Warehouses. Some of these churches are denominational and some are not, some are traditional and some are very unique, and finally some are growing and unfortunately MANY are DYING! There are a lot of churches, ministries, and Christian Centers that are on life support spiritually. Why? I believe the question is on the hearts and minds of many Pastors and church members, and the answer is available…BUT can we handle the TRUTH?
The truth is something most Christians avoid like the plague! Why? I think we (Christians) would rather blame the devil for things that are really our fault and responsibility. Is the devil our enemy? Of course he is! But WE reap what WE sow. The church preaches a lot about sowing and reaping, especially when it comes to money and wealth. If you read the verses in Malachi about tithes, read carefully! It wasn’t the people God was rebuking, IT WAS THE PRIEST! But many churches lay this on the members and yet they don’t practice what they preach. Tithes in the Old Testament were not JUST for the priest! The Levites, The Strangers (homeless), The Widows, and the Fatherless ALL benefited from the tithe.
Local churches are supposed to make an impact on the communities they are in by GIVING back, (Matt. 5:14-16) Sinners should have to even confess and admit that the Church in their community makes a difference in the neighborhood! I want to give you ten answers to the QUESTION! “Why is my church dying!” Hold on to your hat’s the answers may shake up your traditional thinking…and make you THINK!” It is not a sin to think outside of the box of tradition…it is a sin to stay ineffective.
There is nothing wrong with having a storefront church! But if after 20 years your storefront church still has the same 12 members, you need to padlock the door and admit your church is dead! Saints should beget saints, we were saved to lead others to salvation in Jesus Christ! My prayer is that this small book will make you mad enough to do something!
- Genres: Religion
- Everyman's Battle
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I am writing this book with the hope of helping Christian men and women that may be struggling with sexual sin and the temptations connected with sexual sin. We live in an age when illicit sexual intercourse is the norm, Pornography is in mainstream society, and sexual perversions are considered the everyday way that modern men and women live. The Bible is filled with examples of the same sins and struggles we have today. Samson is on the cover because he was the “poster child” for a believer with sexual addictions. Samson however had a comeback because he cried out to God. If you are struggling, maybe it’s time for you to cry out for help. The problem is the pulpit is silent on the subject of sexuality positive or negative. Young people today need direction and answers on issues concerning sex. The average teenager today starts having sex at the age of 14; this is terrifying to me.
I hope this short book will help you realize how the enemy carefully calculates your destruction through the avenue of sexual sin. I share some funny stories and personal things so you will know you are not alone in this struggle. Jude 24 is my favorite scripture when it comes to God keeping us in this evil world, meditate on it and make it your mantra. The Lord can keep you from falling, sometime even when you DON’T want to be kept! If don’t believe me keep reading!
- Genres: Spirituality
