Why does Biblical guidance not work?

How many times have you heard someone tell a depressed person, "Cheer up!"? Then the depressed person immediately becomes happy, right? Of course not! It usually brings them down even more! Why? Because "Cheer up" is something we need to tell ourselves when we are down, not others. When others are down, my response should not be to tell them what to do, but rather to ask myself what I can do to bring them a smile. They already know they need to cheer up, and if they knew how, they would have already done so! If I really care, I can spend some time with them so they won't be lonely, or I can take the time to listen to all they are going through. But telling them to "cheer up" is better left unsaid!

I read an interesting article yesterday entitled Pharisees Ancient and Modern. The author points out the following observations about the Pharisees:

They knew their Bibles.
They were disciplined in prayer.
They fasted twice a week.
They gave about a third of their income to their church.
They were moral.
Many were martyred for their faith.
They attended church regularly.
They were evangelical/orthodox.
They were evangelistic. (Jesus said they would even cross the ocean to win a convert!)

So why do the Pharisees get such a bad rap? I submit 2 reasons: 1) They were legalistic, holding the words of the law as their highest authority; 2) They used the Scripture to keep everyone else in line.

Look back at the characteristics of the Pharisees. Were they different from us? It should scare us if they were not, because Jesus was harder on them than on any sinner we have record of him encountering!

When I see the sin of a brother, what is my reaction? I don't believe God calls me first and foremost to admonish him with Scripture. I surmise, rather, that the Scripture is intended to guide me in how to respond to him. Just as it is counterproductive to tell a depressed brother to cheer up, it is equally counterproductive to merely tell a sinful brother (that, by the way, is a description of us all!) to stop sinning. If he saw the need and knew how to stop, he would have already done so.

What were the Pharisees lacking? Love. A word so overused and misused that it has almost become meaningless. Yet it is the key to the entire Gospel. God is love (1 John 4:8). 1 Cor. 13 tells us clearly that we can do all these things perfectly, and yet, if they are not done in love, they are nothing. Do I love my brother enough to apply the Scripture to my own proper reaction to him, rather than sounding it as a gong to him, or as a clanging cymbal? Do I love him enough to lay down my prejudices (prejudice is not just about racism!) and befriend him as an equal? To spend time with him? To take him to a ballgame or go jogging with him?

Why does Biblical guidance not work? Because we are applying it to the wrong person! If applied to my own life, it is transformational, for me and for all those around me!

What America is all about...

Gentle Reader,

I don't know about you but I have had it with those who claim to American Christians (Catholic or Protestant) and yet complain about those 1 in 4 people who live below the poverty level "They take our taxes , because their lazy!" The homeless don't deserve help they just want handouts. I'm a "Republican" and I believe in pulling yourself by your bootstraps" "Those Democrats caused all the problems" There is a expression in Iowa "Hogwash"- look it up!

Let  me once and for all set the record straight! It was the greed of some that has caused the problems that  many of you are now facing. The greed of Wall street, the greed of certain Senators , congressmen, Governors and bureaucrats of all sizes and shapes , War contractors businessmen and women who decided that taking  care of "Number One" was more important that look out for the person who was weaker, less advantaged,  disabled, homeless hungry or in some way needed our help and was ignored. Now we have a president who has come back to where we should have been all along. My Bible tells me that there is enough wealth in the world to feed every man, woman and child, to cure every disease and to eradicate every ill. . . If we would only set aside our petty (yes I said petty) differences and remember what our past president said in 1961 

"To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."

JFK 1961

Comment: It is not a liberal idea or a conservative idea it is a Christian idea!

 If you are so taken to grab all you can get then this country is not for you, If you feel that you have been taxed to death try living in a third world country where the people there would love to make enough to feed their families and have so much left over that they would pay a tax on their excess.

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Wake up America this is you chance to show what you are made of. Pitch in, help out and don't let the greedy get you down.

Denis  

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day
Originally uploaded by ♥babybee

From Himself and Herself

The coming evangelical collapse

Gentle readers,

This was sent to me and I felt that it needed a much wider readership than it may receive. Please read with and open mind and a prayerful heart. I have been contacted by more than 1500 American church "who want to go in a different direction" No longer is Scripture being held out to the churches and the membership. What do we do as pastors?

An anti-Christian chapter in Western history is about to begin. But out of the ruins, a new vitality and integrity will rise.

We are on the verge – within 10 years – of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity. This breakdown will follow the deterioration of the mainline Protestant world and it will fundamentally alter the religious and cultural environment in the West.

Within two generations, evangelicalism will be a house deserted of half its occupants. (Between 25 and 35 percent of Americans today are Evangelicals.) In the "Protestant" 20th century, Evangelicals flourished. But they will soon be living in a very secular and religiously antagonistic 21st century.

This collapse will herald the arrival of an anti-Christian chapter of the post-Christian West. Intolerance of Christianity will rise to levels many of us have not believed possible in our lifetimes, and public policy will become hostile toward evangelical Christianity, seeing it as the opponent of the common good.

Millions of Evangelicals will quit. Thousands of ministries will end. Christian media will be reduced, if not eliminated. Many Christian schools will go into rapid decline. I'm convinced the grace and mission of God will reach to the ends of the earth. But the end of evangelicalism as we know it is close.

Why is this going to happen?

1. Evangelicals have identified their movement with the culture war and with political conservatism. This will prove to be a very costly mistake. Evangelicals will increasingly be seen as a threat to cultural progress. Public leaders will consider us bad for America, bad for education, bad for children, and bad for society.

The evangelical investment in moral, social, and political issues has depleted our resources and exposed our weaknesses. Being against gay marriage and being rhetorically pro-life will not make up for the fact that massive majorities of Evangelicals can't articulate the Gospel with any coherence. We fell for the trap of believing in a cause more than a faith.

2. We Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught. Ironically, the billions of dollars we've spent on youth ministers, Christian music, publishing, and media has produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it. Our young people have deep beliefs about the culture war, but do not know why they should obey scripture, the essentials of theology, or the experience of spiritual discipline and community. Coming generations of Christians are going to be monumentally ignorant and unprepared for culture-wide pressures.

3. There are three kinds of evangelical churches today: consumer-driven megachurches, dying churches, and new churches whose future is fragile. Denominations will shrink, even vanish, while fewer and fewer evangelical churches will survive and thrive.

4. Despite some very successful developments in the past 25 years, Christian education has not produced a product that can withstand the rising tide of secularism. Evangelicalism has used its educational system primarily to staff its own needs and talk to itself.

5. The confrontation between cultural secularism and the faith at the core of evangelical efforts to "do good" is rapidly approaching. We will soon see that the good Evangelicals want to do will be viewed as bad by so many, and much of that work will not be done. Look for ministries to take on a less and less distinctively Christian face in order to survive.

6. Even in areas where Evangelicals imagine themselves strong (like the Bible Belt), we will find a great inability to pass on to our children a vital evangelical confidence in the Bible and the importance of the faith.

7. The money will dry up.

What will be left?

•Expect evangelicalism to look more like the pragmatic, therapeutic, church-growth oriented megachurches that have defined success. Emphasis will shift from doctrine to relevance, motivation, and personal success – resulting in churches further compromised and weakened in their ability to pass on the faith.

•Two of the beneficiaries will be the Roman Catholic and Orthodox communions. Evangelicals have been entering these churches in recent decades and that trend will continue, with more efforts aimed at the "conversion" of Evangelicals to the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

•A small band will work hard to rescue the movement from its demise through theological renewal. This is an attractive, innovative, and tireless community with outstanding media, publishing, and leadership development. Nonetheless, I believe the coming evangelical collapse will not result in a second reformation, though it may result in benefits for many churches and the beginnings of new churches.

•The emerging church will largely vanish from the evangelical landscape, becoming part of the small segment of progressive mainline Protestants that remain true to the liberal vision.

•Aggressively evangelistic fundamentalist churches will begin to disappear.

•Charismatic-Pentecostal Christianity will become the majority report in evangelicalism. Can this community withstand heresy, relativism, and confusion? To do so, it must make a priority of biblical authority, responsible leadership, and a reemergence of orthodoxy.

•Evangelicalism needs a "rescue mission" from the world Christian community. It is time for missionaries to come to America from Asia and Africa. Will they come? Will they be able to bring to our culture a more vital form of Christianity?

•Expect a fragmented response to the culture war. Some Evangelicals will work to create their own countercultures, rather than try to change the culture at large. Some will continue to see conservatism and Christianity through one lens and will engage the culture war much as before – a status quo the media will be all too happy to perpetuate. A significant number, however, may give up political engagement for a discipleship of deeper impact.

Is all of this a bad thing?

Evangelicalism doesn't need a bailout. Much of it needs a funeral. But what about what remains?

Is it a good thing that denominations are going to become largely irrelevant? Only if the networks that replace them are able to marshal resources, training, and vision to the mission field and into the planting and equipping of churches.

Is it a good thing that many marginal believers will depart? Possibly, if churches begin and continue the work of renewing serious church membership. We must change the conversation from the maintenance of traditional churches to developing new and culturally appropriate ones.

The ascendency of Charismatic-Pentecostal-influenced worship around the world can be a major positive for the evangelical movement if reformation can reach those churches and if it is joined with the calling, training, and mentoring of leaders. If American churches come under more of the influence of the movement of the Holy Spirit in Africa and Asia, this will be a good thing.

Will the evangelicalizing of Catholic and Orthodox communions be a good development? One can hope for greater unity and appreciation, but the history of these developments seems to be much more about a renewed vigor to "evangelize" Protestantism in the name of unity.

Will the coming collapse get Evangelicals past the pragmatism and shallowness that has brought about the loss of substance and power? Probably not. The purveyors of the evangelical circus will be in fine form, selling their wares as the promised solution to every church's problems. I expect the landscape of megachurch vacuity to be around for a very long time.

Will it shake lose the prosperity Gospel from its parasitical place on the evangelical body of Christ? Evidence from similar periods is not encouraging. American Christians seldom seem to be able to separate their theology from an overall idea of personal affluence and success.

The loss of their political clout may impel many Evangelicals to reconsider the wisdom of trying to create a "godly society." That doesn't mean they'll focus solely on saving souls, but the increasing concern will be how to keep secularism out of church, not stop it altogether. The integrity of the church as a countercultural movement with a message of "empire subversion" will increasingly replace a message of cultural and political entitlement.

Despite all of these challenges, it is impossible not to be hopeful. As one commenter has already said, "Christianity loves a crumbling empire."

We can rejoice that in the ruins, new forms of Christian vitality and ministry will be born. I expect to see a vital and growing house church movement. This cannot help but be good for an evangelicalism that has made buildings, numbers, and paid staff its drugs for half a century.

We need new evangelicalism that learns from the past and listens more carefully to what God says about being His people in the midst of a powerful, idolatrous culture.

I'm not a prophet. My view of evangelicalism is not authoritative or infallible. I am certainly wrong in some of these predictions. But is there anyone who is observing evangelicalism in these times who does not sense that the future of our movement holds many dangers and much potential?

• Michael Spencer is a writer and communicator living and working in a Christian community in Kentucky. He describes himself as "a postevangelical reformation Christian in search of a Jesus-shaped spirituality." This essay is adapted from a series on his blog, InternetMonk.com .

The Secret of the Universe

The Winding Acient stairs at Thoor Ballylee

Nowthat we're almost settled in our house

I'll name the friends that cannot sup with us beside a fire of turf in th' ancient tower,

And having talked to some late hour Climb up the narrow winding stair to bed:

Discoverers of forgotten truth Or mere campanions of my youth

All, all are in my thoughts tonight being dead.

Gentle Reader, come in come in I've been expecting you!

Well good Morning,

If I'm a bit late its because I stayed up until 3 a.m. so I'm not really with it! I want to share with you the true story about love (no not the mushy kind but real true genuine kind of love that men can understand!)

During the U. S. Civil War. there were two friends, George Wyett and Richard Pratt and as the war progressed the army came to George's house because He was a farmer and said "we need every able bodied man " You'll have to come a fight", That night as George was trying to explain to his wife and 6 children that he would have to leave them and in all likelihood would not return. When there was a knock on the door and Georges old friend Richard Pratt came who was just passing by. The old friends talked way into the night and so George had Richard stay the night. Early in the Morning the army banged on the door and the solders said as Richard open the door "You have to come with us right now"

So Richard slipped out and went off to war in the place of the family man George Wyett In time George received news that his old friend had died in battle. And again the army came by and said "Are you George Wyatt?" "Yes" Then you'll have to come with us, every living man is drafted to fight" "I can't go " said George I'm not alive!"
But they hauled him off to the General . When they checked the records sure enough the records stated that George Wyett had died in battle. And since the army only wanted living men and according to the records George was already dead they couldn't call him up again!

You see Gentle Reader, Richard Pratt took George Wyetts place. Richard Pratt (Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.).
Gentle reader, Christ came to die! For you and for me! And we don't have to live in sin anymore (When Christ died He took our place) When God died for our sin we died, When He was buried we were buried, when He arose from the grave we arose with Him! No wonder the Apostle Paul could say " Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans Chapter 6 verses 4-6) "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy VICTORY?"

Never forget this little true story Gentle Reader, according to God's records your dead! Don't answer the door anymore to sin and the grave. (You don't live there anymore)

I love you all,

Denis

Ireland and the World

It's all about the Land

Gentle Reader,

In Ireland a man is worth something if he has a bit of land. A wee place that he can call his own. That is the way of the world also. We all need something tangible to call our own. A bit of property that no one can take away, a place we can feel safe, a bit of comfort. But today in America the "land of opportunity" and place of vast expanse. The "Great American dream" has been stolen by the "greed merchants" look around you Gentle Reader! It's a sellers market the price of gasoline, food, everyday items that we all take for granted. They are rapidly disappearing and what hasn't been stolen has been whittled away so that you are in so much debt there is no way out. What will you do Gentle Reader when it is all taken away from you and you are left homeless, hungry, or sick and have no one to care for you ? Who will you count on? Your 401K,? savings account? friends? relatives?

So Gentle Reader, one must decide what is truly important For "For what is a man profited, if he shall GAIN the whole world, and lose his own SOUL? or what shall a man give in exchange for his SOUL?" (Matthew 16:26)

"Now imagine you and the Lord Jesus walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your prints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures and returns.

For much of the way it seems to go like this. But gradually, your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends.

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: your footprints that once etched the sand next to the Master's are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints is the small 'sandprint', safely enclosed. You and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles. But gradually you notice another change. The footprint inside the larger footprint seems to grow larger. Eventually it disappears altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. Again, this goes on for a long time. But then something awful happens. The second set of footprints is back. And this time it seems worse. Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the and. A veritable mess of prints.

You're amazed and shocked. But this is the end of your dream. Now you speak. 'Lord, I understand the first scene with the zigzags and fits and starts and so on. I was a new Christian, just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you.'

'That is correct.'

'Yes, and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps. I followed You very closely.' 'Very good. You have understood everything so far.'

'Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled in with Yours. I suppose that I was actually growing so much that I was becoming like you in every way.'

'Precisely.'

'But this is my question. Lord.. Was there a regression or something? The footprints went back to two, and this time it was worse than the first.'

The Lord smiles, then laughs. 'You didn't know?' He says. 'That was when we danced'."

Love, Denis

Are you losing your marbles?

Gentle reader,
Excuse me for not getting up but dealing with a family member with lung cancer is not only tiring but wearing as well. I will be back at my blog in time but allow me to share a wee bit of old times. before we had such things as DVDs and HD TVs

Gentle Reader,

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable. A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the basement shack with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning, turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time.

Let me tell you about it.

I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whoever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles".

I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say. "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital."

He continued, "let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities."

And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years."

"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I'm getting to the important part."

"It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy."

"So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round-up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear."

"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away."

"I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."

"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time."

"It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. 73 Old Man, this is K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about.

I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.

Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast."

"What brought this on?" she asked with a smile.

"Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."

Denis

A twice told tale of long ago....

Part 13 Jesus in Syria

Gentle reader,

We have been looking for some time at the 4 Gospels from the perspective of those 1st century believers. For it is my belief that one cannot truly understand what the authors were trying to impart until you try one their sandals.
We were discussing the early persecuted believers reading of Marks gospel and when they might have drawn from these words.

Jesus in the boat not only rebukes the sea and the winds but the disciples also using the harsh words (Greek deiloi) “cowards! Are you still without trust” We find that the disciples are constantly criticized by Jesus for their lack of trust (sound like someone you might know personally?). The kind of truse that He showed when He was sleeping without fear of the storm We need to understand this verse penned by the Apostle Paul to his spiritual son Timothy 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

On another occasion they fear for the crowds would starve in the desert for the lack of food (as if Jesus could not provide). They ask themselves “What manner of man is this that the winds and the sea obey him?” The disciples are confronted with the frightening prospect that God Himself is their fellow traveler toward Syria.
On His arrival in syria Jesus is confronted by a demoniac who saw Him from afar off. And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, (Mar 5:1-6)
This man was in an “unclean” land of Gentiles, suffers every kind of ritual pollution. He lives an a graveyard, he is uncontrollable, he burst all the chains and challenges Jesus the minute Christ puts His foot on Gentile territory. “And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not”.
The Devil tries to fence with Jesus in this impure land, having failed in the desert. “For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea”. (Mar 5:8-13) The fact that this is a foreign land is emphasized by the name that the demons give themselves. They call themselves “Legion” the title of a Roman military unit of thousands, not only that but the wild boar was the emblem of the Roman soldiers stationed in Palestine. Jesus has gone beyond the realm of the Temple and what he tells the man he freed is strikingly different than what he tells others that He has healed. Normally He tells any cured person not to relate what has happened , but with man who wants to return with Jesus to Judea, Christ orders him to stay in the Gentile area. “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (Mar 5:19). He calls Himself The Lord and makes a beachhead in this territory. Nonetheless the people in this area beg him to leave. They do not want to be caught in this cosmic struggle- they do not believe Christ is acting on His own but must be of the Devil as He could not be the Messiah. This is what confronts the Markean community as they enter Syria. To be continued...

Part 12 The Gospels

Part 12 The Gospels

Gentle reader,
We are back in the study of “What your father never knew and your mother wouldn’t tell you” about the gospels. I remind you that as many ways as there are to study the 4 gospels and this is just another way that perhaps may put things in perspective a wee bit. We are looking at the gospels from the perspective as Paul wrote in Hebrews “ For the word of God is quick, [living] and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. (Heb 4:12) describes

Jesus first trip to Syria

The first trip into Gentile territory follows right after the parable the describes the gathering of the Gentiles (remember that it was to the Jew first and then to the Gentile according to Paul: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”. (Rom 1:16). In the parable of the mustard seed, small at first . That grows into a huge bush where “ But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. (Mar 4:32)
This image of birds for gathering nations is familiar in the writings of the Hebrew Scriptures: In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. (Eze 17:23).
Ezekiel 31: 5-6 describes the Assyrian empire, before pride led to its downfall, as a great cedars in Lebanon Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
Daniel 4:21 describes Nebuchadnezzar before he was cursed , as a great tree ‘in whose branches the birds lodged’ The parable of Jesus thus says His reign will gather in the nations. [Note we might point out that this fact was not understood by the 12 nor perhaps those that followed, with the exception of the apostle Paul who received the further Revelation from Christ see Acts “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:” (Act 9:15)

So Gentle Reader,
Those passages from the Hebrew Sacred writings would be the kind that Mark’s community would be meditating on as they recalled the parable of the mustard seed, and it’s connection with the Gentiles of Syria.

They would also reflect on other passages having to do with fear and depression when they heard how Jesus crossed to Syria over the Sea of Galilee. When the Storm tosses the little boat, yet Jesus slept peacefully in the tumult, the disciples are panic-stricken. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (Mar 4:38). This plaintive cry would be familiar to the Markan community , since Levites were required to recite Psalm 44:23-24 every day (which is why they were called Wakers). Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
(Psa 44:23-24)

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea,[‘be bridled’] [To the wind ‘Silence ]Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mar 4:39). What Mark was depicting was the divine act of reining in the sea, what God does in Genesis (And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. Gen 1:9 ). And also in Job He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. (Job 26:10-11 ).
Look also at “Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. “(Psa 104:9) And God speaks in Isaiah 50:2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
Also Psalm 106: 9 we read “He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. “
Which we see that the last two citations are important since there is the EXODUS imagery that runs all through this gospel. Storms are often an image of persecution or of war, or temptation (Augustine, when he prayed for release from temptation, ask God to quell the frothy sea at its shore.[Confessions 2:3].
The disciples expressing fear at the sea are like Mark’s community terrified under persecution, and the rebuke at there lack of trust is like that of Moses when he broke the tablets because of the Israelites’ lose of faith while he was on the mountaintop.

So much for now gentle Reader, just remember to take away from this study that “Faith is what gets you started, Hope is what keeps you going. Love is what get you there’!
Next time,
Love,
Denis

A Brief pause-by way of Explanation

 Dear Gentle Reader,

 From time to time I take a wee break from writing. Not that anything is particularly wrong. Or that there is some emergency,  we are not dying of anything other that what kills us all. that is to say we wear out !  But those of you that read on a regular basis know that thinking is a difficult business, not only that but to be reflective in a world that spends its time on sound bites or being amused by "girls gone wild" or soap operas like "As the stomach turns" they won't miss my small attempt to get one to think as a intelligent person. Those who need to think, perhaps, need to consider this.  

 The Talmud tells that a gentile came to Shammai saying that he would convert to Judaism if Shammai could teach him the whole  Torah in the time that he could stand on one foot. Shammai drove him away with a builder's measuring stick! Hillel, on the other hand, converted the gentile by telling him, "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and study it." So may I take that quote and change it a wee bit to this "

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matt. 22:36-39) That is the whole of Christianity, the rest is commentary.

 So for a brief pause Gentle reader, if you need me read some of the 1500 + articles that I have left with you to reflect upon while I recharge my spiritual battery and if you hear of me advising the President on matters of state, it';s just a rumor started by the people who would like to start rumors.

 See you a a while Gentle reader, and remember you are accepted, you are valued, you are loved, by God and by me.

Denis  

The Gospel of Mark (Part 11)

What the 4 Gospels meant to early believers

(And what we can learn from them today)

Part 11

Gentle Reader,

We have been looking back at the 1^st century believers understanding of the Gospels. We have begun with Mark as the shortest of the 4. You need to copy the study so that you can refer to the historical insights and my understanding of the issues. Now understand that as Paul said " For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1Co 13:12) Those who claim to have everything worked out, all the answers, don’t! It’s rather like a jigsaw puzzle in which we worry over one piece of the puzzle when there are other pieces yet to be found (understood).

It’s only when we look closely and then take a step back, consider all the evidence at our disposal with one eye on the possibility that we might be wrong but ‘pressing toward the mark" of the high calling or better the calling upon high to as it were see over the next hill that we will begin to grasp in some small way the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of our heavenly father.

So with that in mind lets see if we can’t get a wee better grasp of what the early believers might have thought of Mark’s gospel.

Remember last time I told you to put your self in the sandals of those readers who were being persecuted and having to flee to the gentile country of Syria and then reading about Jesus two trips and why it would have special meaning for them!

Jesus first trip to Syria

The first trip into the Gentile territory follows immediately on Jesus’ use of a parable that describes the gathering-in of the Gentiles (into to Kingdom of heaven). It is the parable of the mustard seed, small at first, that grows into a huge bush where " But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it." (Mar 4:32) this image of birds for gathering nations is familiar in the Sacred Writings. At Ezekiel 17:23, the lord takes a tiny slip from a cedar tree which, planted, grows so large that "In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing [of every kind]; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell". (Eze 17:23)

While Ezekiel 31:5-6 describes the Assyrian empire before pride led to its downfall, as the great cedar of Lebanon:

"Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field. Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations. " (Eze 31:3-6)

Daniel 4:21 describes Nebuchadnezzar, before he was cursed as a great tree "Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation

The parable of Jesus thus says that his reign will gather in the nations. These passages from the Sacred (Hebrew) Writings are the kind Mark’s community would be meditating on as they recalled the parable of the mustard seed, and its connection with the Gentiles of Syria.

They would have also reflected on other passages having to do with fear and persecution when they heard how Jesus crossed to Syria over the Sea of Galilee. When the grart storm tossed the boat, yet Jesus sleeps peacefully through it all. The disciples are panic-stricken. Mar 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? That cry would be familiar to the Marken community, since the Levites were required to recite "Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? "(Psa 44:23-24) every day (which they were called Wakers). And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mar 4:39)

We find Jesus the wind "silence " and tells the sea "be bridled". Reining in the sea is a divine act, what God does at "And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. "

(Gen 1:9), where He reings in the sea to make land appear. And in Job He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. (Job 26:10-11).

In Psalm 104 "Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth." (Psa 104:9). While in Isaiah "Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst." (Isa 50:2). Psalm 106:9 "He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. "

These last two citations are especially important as we shall see- the Exodus imagery runs all through this Gospel.

Tell next time,

Love,

Denis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Run Into the Hills"

The Gospel of Mark (part 11)

Gentle Reader,

I do apologize for the time that it takes me to post our studies, if things were on a even keel I would be teaching a wee bit each day. However with Marti as sick as she has been and at times all I can do is sit sadly by and watch her suffer as this cursed disease takes its toll. And on the other hand our studies are not for those who are weak kneed, in their faith. As Paul our Apostle to the Gentiles once said Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"

 And as I have pointed out several times we are looking at the 4 Gospels from the point of view of the 1^st century Believer as if the ink was still wet on the parchments.

This is an new study for me as I wish to push your understanding and mine as far as we may go in this direction.

We might point out the Luke takes "the Defilement that desolates" (to bdelygma tes eremoseos) from Daniel 11:31, 12:11 "And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Dan 11:31) And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Dan 12:11) which describes the pollution of the Temple by Antiochus Epiphanes who in 168BCE placed a pagan altar above the altar of sacrifice, which "put a stop to sacrifice and offering (Dan 9:27). This is not parallel to the Romans’ total destruction of the Temple, but it does have a parallel in the Zealots’ seizure of the Temple in 67CE, which escalated the Jewish War. The Zealots maintained their military camp in the Temple until it was destroyed. Josephus, the Jewish historian, calls these Zealots "outlaws" lestai (Jewish War 4.13 ) . The same term Jesus uses in Mark 11:17 " And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves". For those who abuse their roles in the Temple. Which convinces me that the action of the Zealots in 67 CE and the following years is what prompted the Markan community to "run away in the hills" in Syria, escaping the war that would soon destroy the Temple. The Zealots are the Jews who would have been persecuting the Markan community just as the next wave of Zealots would do under Bar Kakhba in 132 CE.

The nearest hills for the persecuted Christians in Judaea ro run toward were in the Syrian Decapolis, a Gentile area where Paul had been active in his preaching. Mark shows that Jesus visiting Syria twice, crossing the sea of Galilee to reach it. If that indeed was where Mark’s listeners had run from their persecutors, both of the times when Jesus entered that territory would be rich with personal meaning for them, and Mark’s emphasis on the two trips would become more understandable.

Now Gentle Reader, for next time re read the 2 times that Jesus crossed into Syria and think about if you were living in that 1^st century what would you have thought and felt and how close would you have felt to the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords?

Till next time then,

Love,

Denis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gospel of Mark

Part 10 The gospel of Mark

Dear Gentle reader,

It has been some time that I have started this study on the 4 gospels (excluding all the other "gospels" that were rejected. The last time we were considering the persecuted "church" as we now can read in the Gospel of Mark. If Mark was written in and for a community under persecution, does he supply any hints about where this persecution was occurring? It was held in past times that the older view was that it was written in Rome, and that Peter had dictated the Gospel to Mark, and that Peter as well as Paul died in the Neronian persecution in Rome (64CE). My own personal view (now under reconsideration) is that the Gospel was written if not published around 43 A.D.

If that older view were historically accurate or the view was sound then this Gospel would hardly show such a lack of sympathy with Peter. Besides, the persecution that killed Peter and Paul on the charge of burning Rome down was a brief spasm not the sort the Markan community undergoes. And while some may argue that Peter was being humble the writing in Mark shows more than humility directed towards Pater. In the light of that fact that it was the (Jewish brethren? ) Who betrayed the Gentiles Christians in Rome.

What does the Gospel itself about and to the plight of those 1^st century believers?

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days." (Mar 13:13-20)

Mark alerts those in his audience that he is talking about them "(let him that readeth understand,) "understand this, reader! And also gives them hope that the time of their ordeal has been aborted (literally "cut back")

What is this defilement that desolates (to bdelgma tes eremoseos)? It has often been taken to refer to the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 A.D.. But elsewhere Mart does appear to seem to know the circumstances of that destruction, and he does not refer to it directly . As does Luke in "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto." (Luk 21:20-21). Luke was written around 58 A.D. and seems to have seen the final siege of Jerusalem. Which takes us to the Gospel of Matthew and the questions ask and answered by Christ to his disciples.

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand ) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mat 24:1-51)

Which could mean, Gentle Reader, that the Parousia of the Lord (better known as the doctrine of the Second Coming could have actually taken place around 70 A.D). which is a whole another study that I will not attempt at this time but just consider what that means to each of us if Christ returned within a generation or forty years of His death.

I’ll leave you at this point to ruminate over this possible event until next time.

Don’t worry we are not alone!

Love,

Denis

The story of Chanukkah (conclusion)

Dear Gentle Reader,

 A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .

There is no distance between people of like precious faith.

The lights of Chanukkah was not an ancient celebration pointing to the LORD MESSIAH JESUS; they were added after HIS death to point back to the ONE WHO alone is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. HIS light lasts forever, whereas the lights of Chanukkah only shine for a few days each year.In John 10. 22-23, the ANOINTED ONE, YESHUA was at the Temple where the Feast of Dedication (Chanukkah) was being observed. The LORD JESUS had said of HIMSELF, "I AM the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, he that follows ME shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the LIGHT OF LIFE." [John 8. 12] "As long as I AM in the world, I AM the LIGHT OF THE WORLD." [John 8. 12] "Are there not 12 hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the Light." [John 11. 9] "Yet a little while is the LIGHT with you, walk while you have the LIGHT, lest darkness come upon you." [John 12. 35]

The GLORY OF GOD shone out of the Temple -- the GLORY OF GOD shone out of the FLESHLY TEMPLE OF KING MESSIAH YESHUA WHO is the "Ner Tormid" the "EVERLASTING LIGHT." HIS light defeats darkness. So, even when we go to the grave, we will experience an even greater light because we will be with GOD. As it is written, "GOD is LIGHT, and in HIM is no darkness at all." [1 John 1. 5] We should not worship before the candles of the Chanukkah Menorah, but only before ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF, the ONE WHO was the LIGHT, then performed the miracle of the lights. "YAH is my LIGHT and my SALVATION" [Psalms (Tehillym) 27. 1 Tanakh, Kethuvim], and "I will also make you (Israel) for a light, an agent of good fortune, to the nations, that MY salvation may reach unto the ends of the earth." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 49. 6 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

The Jewish Festival of Chanukkah is celebrated on the eve of Kislev 24. The month of Kislev is the same as the month of December. The significance that YESHUA ha'MASHIACH gave to Chanukkah, is perhaps the reason the church chose December 25 for CHRISTmas Day. It is the Day to testify of the fact that in the birth of CHRIST JESUS, DEITY was dwelling in a HUMAN TEMPLE and shining out to give LIGHT in the midst of darkness. The birth of our BLESSED REDEEMER, is the dedication of the TRUE TEMPLE which is the body of JESUS. MESSIAH YESHUA told us that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth; which is true as the HOLY SPIRIT reveals MESSIAH as the ALMIGHTY LORD GOD through our lives.

Chanukkah tells us that, as believers, we are to be in the world, but not part of it. We can live as more than conquerors. We can be separated in holiness and dedication. We are to be lights to the world as a testimony to our MIRACLE-WORKING HOLY GOD. Amen

 

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !

Happy Chanukkah! The Eighth Light is the LIGHT of Courage. Let truth and justice be your armour and fear not, the ALMIGHTY ONE is with you.

As we celebrate the last night (evening-to-evening) of Chanukkah, our prayer for each of you is to be strong and of good courage; be bold as you proclaim the GOOD NEWS of Salvation to all. The LORD bless and keep you throughout the coming days! Go with GOD!

 Love,

Denis (see you on the other side of the new year)

THE STORY OF CHANUKKAH (Part 3)

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Heaven and nature sing "Joy to the world, the LORD has come!"The 24th of Kislev was important to Israel years before the Maccabees memorialized it with Chanukkah. It was the day that "The FOUNDATION was laid for the LORD'S Temple." [Haggai/Chagai 2. 18 - 19] It was also a day when victory was promised to the Children of Israel, the ETERNAL ONE said, "Speak to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah : I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. And I will overturn the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathens. I will overturn chariots and their drivers. Horses and their riders shall fall, each by the sword of his brother -- for I have chosen you and will bring you close to ME, says the LORD OF HOSTS." [Haggai (Chagai) 2. 21 - 23 Tanakh, Nevi'im] {Special Note: Zerubbabel is the center of the MESSIANIC Line and like a signet, seals both branches together. . . OBEDIENCE -- present blessing; PROMISE -- future blessing.}

This Day now celebrated as Chanukkah was "A Day of Faith." It was in the dead of winter, food was scarce [Haggai/Chagai 2. 16 - 17] it seemed as if the ALMIGHTY had forsaken HIS people. Yet, the LORD said, "from THIS DAY, I will send you blessings." Haggai looked forward to the harvest (Succoth - Feast of Ingathering/Booths) which was nine months away. [Haggai/Chagai 2. 19]

Was MESSIAH YESHUA, therefore, conceived on Chanukkah; born on Yom Kippur, and circumcised the 8th day in the middle of the Feast of Tabernacles? "The WORD was made flesh and tabernacled among us." [John 1. 14] JESUS announced Jubilee at the beginning of HIS ministry. [Luke 4. 16 - 21] HE died as the Passover LAMB. [1 Corinthians 5. 7] On Chanukkah, HE plainly said that HE was the MESSIAH. [John 10. 22 - 25] On Pentecost, JESUS sent HIS SPIRIT "to guide you into all TRUTH." [John 16. 13] Maybe soon, on some Feast of Trumpets, the LORD YESHUA will come for all who believe in HIM. [1 Thessalonians 4. 13 - 18] On the following Day of Atonement, "HE will turn ungodliness from Jacob and take away their sins, and so all Israel will be saved." [Romans 11. 26 - 27] "Then the Kingdom will be set up, Israel will be re-gathered, and ALL the nations shall go up from year to year to bow low and worship the KING, the LORD OF HOSTS, and to observe the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)." [Zechariah (Zecharyah) 14. 16 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

The MIGHTY LORD GOD delivered Israel to fulfill the promise through Haggai, HE delivered Israel in the days of the Maccabees, and HE is able to deliver Israel in this day. When things look the worst, when you see these things, know that the LORD JESUS is near, even at the door. [Matthew 24. 33]

Josephus, the Jewish historian, was the first person to make lighting one candle for each of the 8 Days. . . calling it the Feast of LIGHT. The custom of lighting the candles originated sometime shortly after the earthly life of MESSIAH YESHUA, and continues to this very day.

. . . to be continued




Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !
Be blessed as we bid farewell to Shabbat! May the ALMIGHTY ONE, WHO separates the holy from the secular, forgive our sins and grant us a good week as we continue in HIS service!
Happy Chanukkah! The Seventh Light is the LIGHT of Justice. Trust in the LORD and wait patiently for HIM, May the LORD GOD teach you patience that you may endure every trial HE allows to make you strong.

Here at last... a child is born

 

 

 Gentle Reader,

Marti and I wish you a very Merry and blessed Christmas from our home to yours. Our last story is one of the best from a dear brother and it is called:

Christmas Hardships

The Workman

"Do you really expect me to go to Bethlehem?" Joseph banged down his chisel on the scarred bench.

Ephraim, his cousin, had just entered the low workshop. "You don't have a choice, Joseph. If you don't go the Romans will confiscate your house and your precious tools. Just try to carve a yoke with your fingernails."

"What are we, cowards?" the carpenter retorted. "Mark my words, Ephraim, this 'Enroll-in-your-ancestral-city' business is nothing more than a way to squeeze more taxes out of us. If we give into those foreign tyrants now they'll just be back for more money."

"What's more," Joseph continued, "you're crazy if you think I'd take Mary on a trip this month. She'd probably have the baby on the way!"

"Couldn't you just leave her with your mother for a couple of weeks? She'd be all right. Nobody says the women have to go. It's the heads of households who have to register."

"Register, hah! Be taxed, you mean."

"So why not leave her at home?"

Joseph brushed the woodchips aside and motioned for his cousin to sit down. The carpenter spoke in a low but earnest voice. "Mary's aunt has made life miserable for her ever since she found out Mary was pregnant. Some people were willing to let it go. Not Tabitha."

"She got my wife all stirred up about it," Ephraim volunteered.

"Not just your wife. Most of the women in this town go out of their way to avoid her. At the village well they whisper, "Little slut!" just loud enough for her to hear. Many's the day she's come running home in tears."

"People sure can be cruel," Ephraim said. "At least you and Mary went ahead and got married."

Joseph bit his lip, but didn't say more.

Ephraim got up. "Well, you are going to Bethlehem, aren't you? You'd be a fool to get the Romans on your back. You know what they did to old Ben."

Joseph stood up slowly. "Yes, I'll go. But Mary'll have to come along. There's no way I'd leave her in Nazareth by herself!"

However, when Joseph talked to Mary about it, she didn't seem nearly as sure as her husband. "How could I walk all that way?" she said. "I waddle now. I just can't make it."

"Mary, we'll bring old Jake. You can ride him when you get tired."

"Have you ever ridden on Jake?"

"Well, no."

"That animal is the most bony, jolting mule in Nazareth. I'd rather walk!"

She did ride, though ... some of the way. Joseph would finally stop for the day when Mary just couldn't take any more. He'd help her down off Jake, then he'd fix a fire while she would unload their heavy blankets and try to find some shelter under a tree or large rock.

Mary would always be the center of attention among the few women traveling that time of year.

"I remember when I was carrying Levi," one would start. "Made my feet swell. I couldn't do anything for months."

"That's nothing," replied another, "my sister got so big everyone thought she was carrying twins. But her time came there was only one baby. Died though."

Joseph glanced over at Mary in the flickering firelight. He could see fear flit across her face. Her hands moved to her swollen belly so she could feel the baby's reassuring kick.

The women didn't notice. The first one went on, "Oh, the pain's so awful! I'm glad I'm too old to have any more babies."

Joseph put his arm around Mary's shoulders and pulled her close. Only one more night on the road before Bethlehem.

They reached the sleepy village of Joseph's ancestors just about dusk the fifth day. Joseph went to the inn and nearby houses trying to find a place to sleep. "God," he whispered as he combed the town, "can't You find us a decent place to have this baby?" Nothing.

All at once he saw Mary's face tighten. She tried to suppress a groan as she fought with the pain. It was a long moment before she relaxed, but he could see worry written all over her.

Joseph went back to the innkeeper again. "Are you sure there isn't any room? My wife's about to have a baby. We've got to find a place out of this wind tonight!"

The innkeeper thought a while. "Did you try the house at the end of the street? They sometimes take people in."

"I tried an hour ago."

"Any relatives in town? Any second cousins?"

"No."

Mary was shivering now, in obvious discomfort. "Joseph," she said weakly, "I've got to lie down somewhere."

"Well, there's the stable in the back," offered the innkeeper at long last. "Of course, it's full of animals from all the visitors in town for that blasted Roman census. But if you can find a place in the corner, I guess that'd be okay." He paused. "Just don't keep the animals awake all night."

It was the other way around. The dozen donkeys in the strange barn never stopped moving. And the smell was overpowering to Mary who had been fighting nausea as her pains got stronger.

In the wee hours of the morning Joseph knocked on the innkeeper's door again.

"What do you want this time of night?" the innkeeper snarled when he finally came to the door.

"Is there a midwife in town?"

"Oh, it's you. A midwife? Yes, old Martha lives in a little house about three blocks from here. You go down the main road, turn left at the two-story house, and go to the alley. You can't miss it. You go down the alley and across the pasture. She lives in a shack just behind the third house after that."

"I ... I really don't think I should leave my wife. Her pains are coming awfully fast now.... Could you go?"

"Jonathan!" the innkeeper yelled into his darkened house. "Get up and fetch old Martha. A lady's having a baby in the barn. Hurry!"

He turned to Joseph as he closed the door. "Have some pity, man. My whole family's awake now."

Pretty soon the door opened again and a young lad ran off in the chilly air. After a while he returned, walking slowly so he wouldn't outdistance the old midwife whose arthritis certainly didn't to take to cold winter nights. The boy was shivering by the time he got to the stable.

"Here's Martha, sir," he muttered quickly, and darted back into the warmth of his house.

The old lady put them at ease right away. She had Joseph fetch water and cloths from the innkeeper. It must have been nearly two in the morning by the time the baby came, and another hour before Joseph dug into his robe for a few coins to give the old woman as she hobbled away.

Then he returned to his wife and took her hand as they looked into the puffy face of their son. Alone at last.

"I'm so tired, Joseph," Mary said, settling back into the blanket-covered straw.

The baby finally stopped crying and drifted off to sleep.

Joseph stirred a few minutes later as some men peered from the darkness into the lamp-lit stable. He nudged Mary awake and reached for his staff.

"What do you want?" Joseph said to the men in a forced whisper. "Don't wake the baby."

"We're shepherds," one called out. The baby started crying.

"We saw angels out on the hills an hour ago." The entire story tumbled out as the shepherds edged into the stable to see the baby. Joseph relaxed his grip on the staff.

The shepherd continued, "And the angel told us, 'To you is born this day in the City of David a Savior which is Messiah the Lord.' The angel even told us about the swaddling cloths and the manger here."

"The angel told you about the manger, too?" Joseph interrupted.

"Oh, yes. That's how we knew where to look."

Joseph glanced over at Mary. Her eyes met his. He squeezed her hand.

"This baby is the Messiah, isn't he?" Joseph said quietly. "After all these hassles I had started to question. But..." He paused. "It's almost like God planned the whole thing: the trip neither of us wanted to take." He chuckled. "He must have seen you on bony old Jake." Joseph laughed out loud. "Even this smelly old barn and it's manger."

He stood up, still chuckling. "What do you know? In spite of the problems--no, in the midst of the problems--God's been at work all along."

Love,

Denis and Marti

Chi Fawn Pi (her story worth the telling)

Gentle Readers,
Over a year ago Marti lost her little service dog just a few weeks after I wrote this blog so as we celebrate the time in which Christ came to pay a debt he did not owe, for those of us who owed a debt we could not pay... lets remember those who have left a mark on our spirits and in our hearts...
Denis

I couldn't resist getting in the act...

 

 So without further adieu here is my story...

Christmas Is for Love
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas.

Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn't been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.

I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt's anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him.

As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, "Did you really miss me?"

I explained how he had been my best helper. "I was making you a surprise," he whispered confidentially. "It's for Christmas." With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn't stay after school any more after that.

Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. "I have your present," he said timidly when I looked up. "I hope you like it." He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box.

"Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?" I asked opening the top to look inside. "

"Oh you can't see what's in it," He replied, "and you can't touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you're all alone."

I gazed into the empty box. "What is it Mark," I asked gently, "that will make me feel so good?" "It's love," he whispered softly, "and mother always said it's best when you give it away." And he turned and quietly left the room.

So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it.

Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love.

You see Gentle Reader everyone one has a story within them a story of love even in the worst of circumstances...

And yours will be a blessing to someone somewhere sometime...

ChiFawn Pi (Marti's No# 1 dog)

Dedication (part 2)

 

Gentle reader,

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .

In MESSIAH JESUS dwells the fullness of the GODHEAD BODILY.

CHANUKKAH DEDICATION (Part 2)

The eight-branched Menorah also represents the people of GOD WHO are "the lower lights." The MESSIAH called HIS followers "lights" [Ephesians 5. 8] and also commanded them to let their "light so shine before men" that their good works would be seen and the HEAVENLY FATHER glorified. [Matthew 5. 16]To the Jewish people there is much significance in the idea of LIGHTS - one of them is relative to marriage: "From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being." [Baal Shem Tov]

The WORD OF GOD describes YESHUA ha'MASHIACH as THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. HE came as a SERVANT (SHAMMAS) to light every man who comes to HIM, and all who come to HIM shall no longer walk in darkness, but shall have the LIGHT OF LIFE! A song of thanksgiving for this LIGHT is found in the book of Isaiah: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a brilliant LIGHT; on those who dwelt in the land of gloom and death, LIGHT has dawned." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 9. 2 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

Yes, this GLORIOUS LIGHT, WHO is the LORD MESSIAH JESUS, shines not for one night only or even for eight nights. . . but HE is as the "NER TORMID" - THE PERPETUAL LIGHT shining victoriously forevermore!

There is a popular game which is played at this season to remember the Miracle of Lights. Driedels (tops) are spun in this celebration. The driedel is shaped like a cube, on each of the lateral sides of which is found a Hebrew letter. The four Hebrew letters are: nun, gimmel, hai, shin - the initials of the words which constitute the sentence, "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham" or "A Great Miracle Happened There." In Gamatra (numerology) the initial Hebrew letters of "A Great Miracle Happed There" have the number value (35 which is the same numerical value as the name "Messiah!" YESHUA truly is "THE GREATEST of miracles!"

In John 10:22 we read of THE ONE WHO walked on Solomon's porch on this day (Feast of Dedication), WHO has won a victory for us greater than that of Judah Maccabeus. MESSIAH YESHUA has loosed us from the hands of our enemy, the Devil, and has cleansed the once-polluted temple by the ministry of HIS HOLY SPIRIT. We who are redeemed, rejoice in the GIFT of all gifts, not only at the Feast of Dedication, but every moment of our lives when we remember the victory the LORD JESUS wrought for us and the MIRACLE OF THE EVERLASTING LIGHT in our souls! HalleluYAH!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !

Happy Chanukkah! The Second Light is the LIGHT of TORAH. Israel's BOOK OF LAW: The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is a Light.

May mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. And, may you share wonderful holy-days together with friends and family.

Our prayer, also, is that the flame of the LORD YESHUA ha'MASHIACH burn brightly in your heat as you share HIS light with others.

Dedication

 

Dear  Gentle Reader,

Before Christmas and all the trappings of commercialism came about there was Chanukkah! read on to discover your heritage from those who brought us The King of the Jews (and Saviour of the world)!

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .

Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth or the only truth. . . for only the LORD MESSIAH JESUS is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE, and THE LIGHT.

CHANUKKAH DEDICATION (Part 1)

"Instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, to cause the lamp TO BURN ALWAYS. Aaron and his sons shall set them up in the Tabernacle of Meeting, outside the curtain which is before the Ark of the Covenant, to burn from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a due from the Israelites FOR ALL TIME, throughout the ages." [Exodus (Shemot) 27. 20 - 21 Tanakh, Torah]

It is said that the Hebrew word, Chanukkah, itself tells of the date for its observance: "hanu" means "rested" and "kah" means "25". Thus, it was on the 25th of Kislev that the Jewish people "rested" from their enemies at that time in history. Chanukkah is the "Festival of Lights" because of the many lights involved in the Feast. "Chanukkah" literally means "dedication" in memory of the re dedication of the Temple in 165 BC by Judas Maccabeus, after it had been polluted by Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian king. In 176 BC Antiochus tried to force the Jews to give up their faith and to adopt Greek customs. He persecuted the Jews who refused to do this.

Antiochus Epiphanes converted the TEMPLE OF GOD to worship Zeus, and placed an image of Zeus the dominant Greek god (the abomination of desolation) in the Holy Place . He looted the Temple and ordered all Jews to bow down to the idols placed there. Then, Antiochus brought in a sow, and placed it on the Holy Altar in desecration of ALMIGHTY GOD'S holiness. He brought waste and destruction -- desecrated the vessels of the LORD in debauchery and drunkenness and put out the "Ner Tomid" (Perpetual Light).

The Hasmoneans, the Maccabee family, led the Jews in a revolt. After several years of fighting, Judah and his men drove the Syrians out. On the 25th of Kislev (exactly 3 years after the defilement of the Sanctuary) in the year 165 BC they made their entrance into the Temple and rededicated it to the service of the GREAT GOD OF HEAVEN.

In the Temple , the priests left a light burning in obedience to the command of the HOLY ONE, but when they prepared to rekindle this light after the victory, they found that there was only enough oil to last one day. This was a tragic discovery to the Jewish people for the ALMIGHTY'S command could not then be carried out. Search was made for the oil for this Lamp. The oil must be pure and prepared under the care of the high priest and sealed with his seal. No pure oil could be found nor could any be prepared before 8 days (7 days set apart to the LORD; on the 8th day it became holy to the LORD). The small jug of oil bearing the seal of the high priest might suffice for only one day, but according to the Jewish people's tradition a MIRACLE occurred, the oil lasted for the full eight days!

Thus, in Synagogues and homes, Chanukkah is principally observed by the lighting of candles set in an eight-branched Menorah to commemorate the MIRACLE and the victory. This Menorah also contains an additional holder for the candle called "Shammas (servant)" with which the others are lighted. The custom is to burn one candle the first evening, two the second; progressively increased each evening until all eight are lit on the eighth night. Before each candle is lit there is a blessing recited and singing follows afterwards.

It is significant that the eight candles of the Chanukkah Menorah are not lighted with a match but with the "Shammas." Then after the "SERVANT" has given its light to all the others it is put in a high place or a special place of honour in the Menorah. Do you not see in this action a beautiful picture of the only SERVANT (of GOD) WHO was exalted after HE had given HIS light to HIS people? In the words of Isaiah we find HIM described: "The REDEEMER OF ISRAEL, GOD'S HOLY ONE; the DESPISED ONE; HIM WHO is abhorred of nations; to the SERVANT of rulers: kings shall see and stand up; nobles, and they shall prostrate themselves - to the honour of the LORD, WHO is faithful, to the HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL WHO chose you." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 49. 7 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

CREATOR GOD exalts HIS SERVANT, MESSIAH YESHUA, and causes kings and princes to bow down before HIM. Yes, the LORD JESUS is the only SERVANT WHO is worthy to be given a position of honour! HE is the ONE sent of GOD to bring us the light of salvation. [Isaiah/Yeshayah 52. 13 - 15; Philippians 2. 6 - 8] Of MESSIAH YESHUA, the KING of all ages, it is written, "The LIGHT OF ISRAEL will be fire, and the HOLY ONE a flame." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 10. 17 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

...to be continued

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !

The 8-Nights of Chanukkah start tonight at sundown Sunday, December 21st this year. Prepare to enjoy the Festival of Lights!!!

Wishing you every happiness during this Festival of Lights, Christmas, and the coming year. May the bright glow of the festive candles cause us to remember the wonder reflected upon the SERVANT WHO bent down to bring light to those HE served.