Christmas

Gentle Reader,

With lights stretched from high to low, ornaments scattered in hopeless array, and the smell of apple cider boiling somewhere near, the timely event of winter decoration sets the tone of our December. Until the house is fully lit up, somehow it just doesn't seem quite like the season has started. Like a Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie or a birthday without candles, some of our most precious traditions can be the simplest pleasures of a momentary occasion soon to pass. At the center of our common tradition are the Christmas trees that find themselves adorned with silver, laced with tinsel, covered in lights, and crowned with a star. During the late 13th Century, Thomas de Hales wrote a lengthy poem in Old English called A Luve Ron (A Love Song). During one of the stanzas, he referred to a "treowe king" by which he meant, "a true king." The word treowe took two different directions from the time of Hales to later scholars like Wycliffe and Tyndale (16th Century). Over a period of just 300 years, treowe became closely associated with both "true" and "tree" because in either case, it continued to mean someone or something that would not fall. A tree firmly rooted will never tumble unless broken by the axe. Greeks referred to their trees as xylon (think of the "wood" sound of a xylophone) while the Romans referred to them as arbor in Latin (think "Arbor Day" and the tradition of planting seeds). Trees have always symbolized a practical and essential part of sturdy construction, but the fir and pine trees are uniquely mentioned during the Scripture of Isaiah 60:13. "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious." Although we find that many planters now grow the fir and pine on a farm, the natural pine grows on the mountainside. In fact, it is the fir and evergreen tree that adorns the forest of these "beautified" mountains. And when the snow comes falling, every needle and every cone is covered in white by the decoration of God's design. The history of our modern Christmas tree can be traced back to the hills of Germany and the hero of the reformation. At various times during the winter, Martin Luther was known to take a small spruce tree and decorate it with candles as a symbol of the sparkling stars in heaven above. When German immigration began to increase on American soil in the 1830s (more than 300 years after Luther), English Protestants were initially frightened by what they perceived to be a very pagan tradition among professing Christians. But by 1838, just 32 years before President Grant declared Christmas to be a national holiday, the word "Christmas tree" had already become commonplace. Some of you will share legitimate concern for the practice and decoration of trees (Jeremiah 10:2-4) while others will view it as a harmless activity in the age of God's grace. Whether you enjoy the smell of fresh pine in your living room or prefer to avoid it altogether, may you find that the season is no less inviting for the family you love and the fires that you build.

A tale or two

Gentle Reader,

Here are two tales one true one a story can you tell the difference?

The Story of

 PANETTONE

Once, in a little village in the hills above Milan, there was a baker named Antonio and a very good baker he was too. He made bread for all the people in the village. Good coarse country bread that kept the villagers from going hungry when they worked in the fields, ploughing and tending the grapes.

Now the baker was a widower and he had one daughter a beautiful girl, but spoilt. Because her father was so very fond of her, he wouldn’t let her do any work. Not in the bakery or anywhere else. He wouldn’t even allow her to help with the housework. All poor Seraphina had to do each day was sit in her window and watch the world go by.

She spent most of her time looking out into the street and the market square - and eating sweets! So she wasn’t only spoilt and bored, if truth were told, she was getting sadly fat!

One day in November, not long before Christmas, there was great excitement as a group of young huntsmen rode into the village looking for something to eat and drink. As Seraphina leaned out of her window, her eyes met those of one of the young men and 'pouf!' it was love at first sight!

Luckily it was love at first sight for the young man as well and he gave her a big wink! He then sat down to talk to the old ladies who are always to be found in Italian village squares. He wanted to find out about the lovely lady in the window. They in their turn were eager to know who he was. Tt turned out the young man was called Angelo. He was the son of the Duke of Milan and a very important person. Between them, Angelo and the old ladies hatched a plot so that Seraphina and Angelo could meet.

Angelo called for ink and paper and wrote two letters, one to Antonio and one to his daughter Seraphina. This is what they said. To Seraphina he wrote,

"Dear Seraphina, I love you. Soon we will meet and I will hold you in my arms".

To Antonio he wrote,

"Dear Antonio, I like your bread. Please meet me at the Market Square after Mass tomorrow. I have a plan that will make you rich and famous!"

He asked the old ladies to deliver the letters. Next day they all met and Angelo told Antonio of his plan to set him up in a bakery in Milan and for him to marry Seraphina. Both Seraphina and Antonio thought that this was a good idea and the next day they left for Milan.

Once in Milan, Antonio and Seraphina spent the day going round the bakeries of the great city. They tasted Torte, Pane and Biscotti and found them delicious. The biscuits were sweet and crisp and the bread soft and white, and scattered with wonderful seeds.

While they walked and nibbled at the bread, Antonio became more and more sad. At the end of the day he went to Angelo and said, "I cannot make bread here, my bread is good bread but it is bread for the workers in the hills. Your friends would not buy my bread". "Oh", said Seraphina, "if only you could make bread as sweet and rich as these dried fruits and candies". "Yes", said Angelo, "and as rich and sweet as this punch fortified with eggs and milk and honey". "THAT’S IT!" said Antonio, "I'll make a bread that tastes like all of these things!". And soon Seraphina and her father departed back to their village with wagonloads of the biggest eggs the sweetest honey and the plumpest raisins and fruit.

All the next day Antonio experimented and muttered to himself in his bakery and at the end of the afternoon, he put all the dough into bowls to rise overnight. The next day he filled every baking tray and tin in the bakery with the dough. There was still some dough left over so he put what was left into clean flowerpots and baked it in them.

Soon the whole village was filled with the delicious smell of baking bread. Antonio, Seraphina and the people of the village, plus Angelo (who had ridden up from Milan), could hardly wait for the bread to be cool enough to be cut and tasted. At last Antonio took his first bite and everyone waited with bated breath, "YES!" he shouted, and soon everyone was munching and laughing. And then Angelo loaded up the cart and took what was left back to Milan.

Everyone in the village waited and within the week, a cartload of new supplies came up from Angelo with a note, "My friends loved your bread and please can you make lots more? Also, make it all in flowerpot shapes because my friends liked that best. Bring it to Milan as soon as possible and Seraphina and I will be married the next day".

As soon as he could, Antonio with Seraphina set off for Milan with lots of the new bread. As they approached the gates of the city, Antonio could hear the bells ringing and he thought it was because it was Christmas Eve, but as he came nearer, he could hear cheers and the people calling "Toni, Tonio we love your bread, 'Pane', Panne, Panettone".

And that’s why the Italians always eat Panettone, 'Tony’s Bread', at Christmas and why the best Panettone comes from Milan.

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
In Him dwells the fullness of the GODHEAD BODILY.

THE STORY OF CHANUKKAH (Part 2)
Antiochus enacted a series of harsh decrees against the Jews. Jewish worship was forbidden; the SCROLLS OF THE LAW were confiscated and burned. Sabbath rest, circumcision and the dietary laws were prohibited under penalty of death. Even one of the respected elders of that generation, Rabbi Eliezer, a man of 90, was ordered by the servants of Antiochus to eat pork so that others would do the same. When he refused they suggested to him that he pick up the meat to his lips to appear to be eating. But Rabbi Eliezer refused to do even that and was put to death.

There were thousands of others who likewise sacrificed their lives. The famous story of Hannah and her seven son’s courage happened at that time. They were arrested and compelled to eat swine’s flesh and thereby assent to the pagan sacrifice. One by one, when they refused to yield, they were tortured.

The First Son had his extremities cut off, was scalped, had his tongue cut out, and still refused to eat pig. Finally he was boiled alive.

The Second Son had the skin stripped from his head, and still refused to eat pig. He exclaimed to Antiochus, "In-human fiend, you may discharge us from this present life, but the KING OF THE WORLD will raise us up, since it is for HIS Laws that we die, to live again forever."

The Third Son held out his arms for dismemberment saying, "It was the GOD OF HEAVEN that gave me these limbs; for the sake of HIS Laws I disdain them; from HIM I hope to receive them again."

When the third son died, the Fourth Son was tortured. He cried, "Ours is the better choice, to meet death at men's hands, yet relying on ELOHIYM'S promise that we shall be raised up by HIM; whereas for you there can be no resurrection, no new life."

As they tortured the Fifth Son, he said, "Do not think that our race has been deserted by YEHOWAH. Only wait, and you shall see in your turn how HIS mighty power will torment you and your race."

The Sixth Son died with the words, "We are suffering like this through our own fault, having sinned against ELOHEY, but do not think you yourself will go unpunished for attempting to make war on YEHOWAH."

Finally the Seventh Son died with the following words: "Our brothers already, after enduring their brief pain, now drink of ever-flowing life, by virtue of YEHOWAH'S covenant, while you, by YEHOWAH'S judgment, will have to pay the just penalty for your arrogance. I too, like my brothers, surrender my body and life for the Laws of my ancestors, calling upon ELOHEY to show HIS kindness to our nation, and that soon."

Ultimately, the Mother was also put to death. All steadfastly refused deliverance in hope of the resurrection.

THE MACCABEES: In a little village 15 miles NW of Jerusalem, a priest named Mattathias and his 5 sons rebelled. Before his death, Mattityahu called his sons together and urged them to continue to fight in defense of GOD’S TORAH. He asked them to follow the counsel of their brother Shimon-the-Wise. In waging warfare, he said, their leader should be Yehuda-the-Strong. Yehuda was called "Maccabee" (means: Hammer), a word composed of the initial letters of the four Hebrew words "Mi Komocho Bo’eilim ha’Shem" - "Who is like unto You, O God."

Under the leadership of the oldest son, Judah Maccabee, they launched a guerrilla-style war against Antiochus Epiphanies and his army. Its purpose was to force the Syrians out of Israel and restore worship to YEHOWAH. Mattathias killed all the traitors and then killed the Syrian commissioners. After a 3 year struggle, the Jews drove the Syrian army out of the Promised Land. Their rallying cry from Matthias was "Let everyone who has a fervor for the Law take his stand on the Covenant and come out and follow me. Let us fight unto death in defense of our souls and our Temple!" [1 Maccabees 2. 27 – 28] In other words, "return and obey the voice of the LORD your GOD, and do all HIS commandments. For the LORD your GOD is a COMPASSIONATE GOD; HE will not fail you nor will HE let you perish; HE will not forget the covenant which HE made on oath with your fathers." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 4. 29 - 31 Tanakh, Torah]

Exactly 3 years to the very date after the Temple was desecrated, the 24th of Kislev, the triumphant Jews made their entrance into the TEMPLE OF GOD and re-dedicated it to the service of YEHOWAH ELOHEY.

In the LORD’S TEMPLE, the priests were to leave a light burning in obedience to the command of GOD MOST HIGH, "Command the children of Israel to bring you pure beaten olive oil for the light, to cause the lamp TO BURN CONTINUALLY. In the Tabernacle of Meeting, outside the veil, which is before the Ark OF THE Covenant, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before YEHOWAH. It shall be a decree forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel throughout the ages." [Exodus (Shemot) 27. 20 - 21 Tanakh, Torah] When the Maccabees prepared to rekindle the Menorah to re-dedicate the Temple of ELOHEY which had been spoiled by the enemy, they discovered only one single jar of olive oil buried beneath the ruins with the seal of the High Priest still intact on its lid. This was tragic because the Jewish people could not carry out YEHOWAH's command as there was only enough oil to burn one day.

For olive oil to be dedicated for use in the Lamp, it was to be made by the High Priest and sealed with his seal after being sanctified (set apart) for 7-days; then on the 8th day it was "HOLY TO THE LORD." [Exodus/Shemot 29. 37; Leviticus/Vayikra 12. 3; Ezekiel/Yehezke-El 43. 26 – 27; 2 Chronicles/Dibre Hayamin Bet 29. 17] According to the Jewish tradition, "nes gadol haya shem" ("A Great Miracle Happened THERE") . . .the small flask of oil lasted for a full EIGHT DAYS! {In Jerusalem, they say: "nes gadol haya po" - - "A Great Miracle Happened HERE (Jerusalem)."}

 

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of the World  !
Happy Chanukkah! The Second Light is the LIGHT of Torah. Israel's Book of Law has brought learning and truth to all of the world.
"Have a Joyous Christ-filled Day! With warmest thoughts and heartfelt thanks for all you've done and all you've given to us. May the GREAT GOD OF ISRAEL bless you as you bless others and serve our WONDERFUL LORD every day.

To be continued...

Ham for Chanukah

 This is what American education is all about!

 

 

Gentle reader,

 You need a laugh and I can't improve on the real news so read this first and then below a wee bit of education?

Oy vey! Pork for Chanukah?

The Greenwich Village gourmet grocery store, Balducci's, has become the butt of the Jewish holiday by advertising its boneless hams as "Delicious for Chanukah."

Manhattan novelist Nancy Kay Shapiro, 46, spotted the kosher faux pas while browsing the meat section Saturday at the chain's outpost at Eighth Ave. and W. 14th St.

When Shapiro went back Sunday, she took photos of the unorthodox display promoting boneless spiral-cut hams for $8.99 a pound, petite smoked hams for $6.99 a pound and boneless smoked hams for $6.29 a pound.

Instead of pointing out the mistake to management, she posted the snapshots on her blog to "amuse others."

"I just thought it was funny," Shapiro, a self-described "unobservant Jew," said. "I wasn't offended in any way. I just thought, here's somebody who knows nothing about what Jews eat."

Shapiro said that when she went back to the store Tuesday, the first night of Chanukah, the signs had vanished.

A Balducci's official was so verklempt about the error he didn't want to speak on the record. He fessed up that "it was a mistake," blaming it on a stock clerk who normally doesn't work the meat department.

He referred all other questions to the company's marketing department in Connecticut.

Now then about this holiday that is called the festival of lights:

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
It is easier for one to raise a myriad of olive trees in Galilee than to bring up one child in the Land of Israel. [Midrash Raba]

THE STORY OF CHANUKKAH (Part 1)
Chanukkah means dedication. It is the Jewish Festival celebrating the Maccabees' victory over the Syrian army in 165 BCE (Before Common Era/BC - Before CHRIST).

Alexander the Great once conquered all the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, creating a vast Greek Empire. At the age of 33, he died broken-hearted, feeling that he had conquered all that was worth conquering. Wherever the Greek army went, Greek culture, language and religion were forced upon the population known as Hellenism.

After Alexander died, the Greek Empire was divided among his generals: Antigonus received Asia; Ptolemy received Egypt; Seleucus got Babylon; Lysimachus received Hellespont; and Cassander received Mascedonia. There were wars back and forth continually for years.

At the time of the Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanies (means: "the deified god") ruled Syria and Ptolemy ruled Egypt. These two warred over the holy land. Antiochus launched a military campaign against Egypt in order to bring all of Israel under Syrian dominion. They imposed Hellenistic culture and religion on all they conquered with a vengeance. The Syrians were incredibly barbaric, even the Greek language was imposed upon the people they conquered. It was forbidden to observe Shabbat, study TORAH, use the Hebrew language or perform circumcision. Circumcised baby boys were killed and the mothers were forced to carry the dead infants hanging from their necks. Jews were given the choice to give up Judaism or die, often by torture; pagan temples were built throughout Israel. Then they plundered and desecrated the Temple of ELOHEY on the 24th of Kislev 168 BCE.

The soldiers even sacrificed a swine on the Temple Altar, the HOLY TORAH was spattered with pig blood and cut into pieces, then burned. Then Antiochus committed the ultimate offense - - on the birthday of Zeus, which is the month of Kislev (December) 24. Antiochus had his soldiers erect an idol of Zeus Olympus, the Greek’s supreme deity, in the Holy of Holies of the Temple of GOD. Not surprisingly, the idol bore the face of Antiochus himself. He demanded that the people bow down to worship his idol god. [As described in Daniel/Danyel 9. 27; 11. 30 - 31; Matthew 24. 15 - 17] Many Jews would not give allegiance to a heathen deity, and as many as 80,000 people chose to die rather than commit idolatry.

. . . to be continued

Thanks for all who congratulated me on the award.

Denis

CHANUKKAH

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
It is easier for one to raise a myriad of olive trees in Galilee than to bring up one child in the Land of Israel. [Midrash Raba]

THE STORY OF CHANUKKAH (Part 1)
Chanukkah means dedication. It is the Jewish Festival celebrating the Maccabees' victory over the Syrian army in 165 BCE (Before Common Era/BC - Before CHRIST).

Alexander the Great once conquered all the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, creating a vast Greek Empire. At the age of 33, he died broken-hearted, feeling that he had conquered all that was worth conquering. Wherever the Greek army went, Greek culture, language and religion were forced upon the population known as Hellenism.

After Alexander died, the Greek Empire was divided among his generals: Antigonus received Asia; Ptolemy received Egypt; Seleucus got Babylon; Lysimachus received Hellespont; and Cassander received Mascedonia. There were wars back and forth continually for years.

At the time of the Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanies (means: "the deified god") ruled Syria and Ptolemy ruled Egypt. These two warred over the holy land. Antiochus launched a military campaign against Egypt in order to bring all of Israel under Syrian dominion. They imposed Hellenistic culture and religion on all they conquered with a vengeance. The Syrians were incredibly barbaric, even the Greek language was imposed upon the people they conquered. It was forbidden to observe Shabbat, study TORAH, use the Hebrew language or perform circumcision. Circumcised baby boys were killed and the mothers were forced to carry the dead infants hanging from their necks. Jews were given the choice to give up Judaism or die, often by torture; pagan temples were built throughout Israel. Then they plundered and desecrated the Temple of ELOHEY on the 24th of Kislev 168 BCE.

The soldiers even sacrificed a swine on the Temple Altar, the HOLY TORAH was spattered with pig blood and cut into pieces, then burned. Then Antiochus committed the ultimate offense - - on the birthday of Zeus, which is the month of Kislev (December) 24. Antiochus had his soldiers erect an idol of Zeus Olympus, the Greek’s supreme deity, in the Holy of Holies of the Temple of GOD. Not surprisingly, the idol bore the face of Antiochus himself. He demanded that the people bow down to worship his idol god. [As described in Daniel/Danyel 9. 27; 11. 30 - 31; Matthew 24. 15 - 17] Many Jews would not give allegiance to a heathen deity, and as many as 80,000 people chose to die rather than commit idolatry.

. . . to be continued
Blessing for Chanukkah


Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe


she-asah neeseem la-avotaynu ba-yameem ha-heim ba-z'man ha-zeh
who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time


(Amein)
(Amen)

Called ID

With every ringtone and vibration of our cell phones and home phones, we each have the same knee-jerk reaction. Almost without thinking anymore, we look down to the Caller ID. If it's someone we want to talk to, we answer. If it's someone we don't want to talk to, we let it keep buzzing. We make thousands of decisions about how we want to spend our time and any number of calls can take us into any number of conversations. The first chapter of Proverbs allowed us to get a foretaste of who wants our attention. Wisdom is the voice on the other end of the line, but she can be intimidating, humbling, and even complicated (1:1-6). Given the chance, wisdom will warn you of the dangers you didn't see coming (1:7-19). Ignored, wisdom will laugh at you, mock you, and even leave you lonely (1:20-30). But heard long enough, wisdom will provide nourishment, comfort, and peace (1:31-33). You've seen the ID, now answer the call. Wisdom is about to begin a conversation and we all need to be on the receiving end.

Tis the season

Or not!

Can you say shopping daze?

Gentle Reader,

Every year at this time I try to write something that you can carry through the holiday season. This year will be no different except that I want you to think about your place in the world in which you live and whether or not you have a responsibility to not only your own needs but other around you. Those at work those with whom you share common interest and what about those half way around the world. Remember my blog about the "Butterfly effect"? If not dust off my archives and reread that little gem.

What We see around us is aischrolatry {that is worship of filth, dirt, or smut } and when you play in the dirt you get dirty don't you. Remember "Pigpen" of Charlie Brown fame?

Whoa now Denis, how are you going to connect Christians , the butterfly effect,Christimas together?

Very carefully Gentle reader, the only persons who won't get my blog are those that I call infrequent visitors (those who drop in thinking this is where you get pictures of Paris Hilton.

Christians are by far (in the opinion of most non-Christians) just plain naive. Well those individuals may be right. I mean We believe in Christmas with all the trimmings, gifts, good will and some Christians even believe in trying to carry over that good will, you are trying to cram into 30 days, throughout the year. But it's hard Gentle Reader, when we are deluged every day buy the worship of Aischrolatry, as well as autolatry { self-worship} Ever heard of the "Me Generation"?

The intelligent person (can you say christian) will tell you that December 25 is not the Birth of Christ {who Christians call the Son of The Most High God}. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called WONDERFUL, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. {Isaiah 9} However if for one season we can be a little kinder to not only family but friends and dare I say Strangers? Then all the better. So for now lets all just bask in the glow of the season and wish every one Merry Christmas, happy holidays, or happy Chanukkah festival of lights. whatever your chosen belief system and be kind to one another... Try it you may grow to like that feeling.

Well maybe just for a (as you say a wee bit) I'll try to be kind but just to get you off my back Denis!

To be continued...



Denis

Time after time

Through the sands of the hour glass so are the days of our lives





Gentle Reader,

I'm back!

after being spammed so bad that my website was overrun by those who you wouldn't want to marry your daughter. But it gave me time to enjoy the comedy of American politics. I still say that you need to write your representative and tell them they need to straighten up or come home. I would like to tell you that by book "Which Church" is coming along. But I am still doing research. I was voted in the the British Centre for Science Education and Also Associates in Biblical Archaeology.

But enough about me what have you been doing?

I'm going to write a series on Christians, Christmas and the rest of the world Called "Fact, fiction, and foolocracy.

See more after we eat a wee something.

Love,

Denis

"THE COMING!"

Greek word for coming: "parousia"

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" (2 Peter 3:10 &12).

The "day of the Lord" or "day of God" will point us to the end of something and the beginning of another. This day is the "coming of Christ." Therefore, our study will take us through all of the occurrences of the Greek word, parousia (coming) in the New Testament.

The Apocalypse means, the unveiling. "Apo" = from; "calypse" = hiding. Hence, out of the words, "from hiding" we get "revelation." The Revelation is about the unveiling, appearing or coming of Christ. This is the "day of God."

Since September 11th, 2001, America is responding to an evil that is terrorizing the world. Many are concerned that this could be the beginning of "the end of the world" and the second "coming of the Lord." Throughout the Bible, the end of the world is associated with the coming of the Lord. If this is the end, it is "the coming of Christ" or "the day of God." The Bible is clear about when the second "coming of the Lord" and the end of the world will happen? I want us to look at the day of "the coming of the Lord" and when "the end" will occur.

Gifted scholars and trained researchers, at times, understand the past differently, even after they have read the same texts and examined the same evidence. We are no exception. You and I will look at the same material and come out with different viewpoints. So, I will place all the facts before you. I am presenting all the verses in the New Testament, that concern the frequently used Greek word, "Parousia." It is translated into the English as "coming." The reason for looking at this Greek word is because the English word, "coming" does not give us a clear picture of this Greek word that is translated twenty four times into the English. I will show that two English words (presence & arrival) better convey the thought behind the first century usage of the Greek word, parousia (pronounced: par - oo - see' - a).

M. R. Vincent has recorded in his book, "Word Studies in the New Testament" (page 74), that the Greek word for "coming" ( parousias) was originally thought of as (in the Greek language of the first century) "presence." It derives its usage from the Greek word, pareiuai, which means "to be present." On the other hand, our word, "coming" is an on-going process. This Greek word pictures the end of the process.

A very trust worthy Greek scholar, W. E. Vine, in his work, "An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words" (page 203), says that par-eis-erchomai means to come in (eis) beside or near (para) as the arrival of harvest or to the side of those present so as to be present with them, and is used...

* in the literal sense, of the coming in of the Law in addition to sin, Romans 5:20; (hence: it's arrival)

* in Galatians 2:4, the coming of false brethren into your midst, suggesting their arrival through stealth.

In Vine's book (page 208), he says that parousia means a presence, para, with, & ousia, being (from eimi, to be), denotes both an arrival and a consequent "presence with." For instance, in a first century papyrus letter, a lady speaks of the necessity of her parousia in a location, in order to attend to matters relating to her property there. For a fuller treatment of Parousia, see Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine (pages 87, 88).

The Greek word for "coming," parousia (parousia) occurs 24 times in the Greek New Testament. This word is translated "coming" in 22 out of 24 passages and clouds the meaning many times for the reader. The Greek word, parousia (parousia) does not mean an on-going process of coming. It is in contrast to being absent. One could be absent and still be coming. However, one cannot arrive and be absent at the same moment. Therefore, it should be translated "arrival" in 20 of the passages and "presence" in 4 of the passages in order to keep the thought of the writer consistently clear. This would lift the veil and clarify the meaning of all the passages.

A. Four passages where the Greek word, "parousia" should be translated "Presence."

1. In Second Corinthians 10:10 ( "...his bodily presence (parousia) is weak..." ) If we used the word, "coming" here, the meaning would be destroyed. Paul is talking about the very real "presence" of his physical body. We are very fortunate for this translation of the Greek word, parousia in this instance as "presence."

2. In Philippians 1:26 ( "...by my coming (parousia) to you again." ) Paul is referring to his arrival and presence with them. "Presence" would be the better translation for the Greek word, parousia.

3. In Philippians 2:12 ( "...not in my presence (parousia) only, but now much more in my absence." ) Paul uses the word parousia to contrast with his absence. This is a good translation of the Greek word, parousia.

4. In Second Peter 1:16 ( "...coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ." ) The word parousia here is used to picture the termination of the process of coming and the beginning of the state of being presence. The Greek words should be translated, "...presence of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Parousia is an event. It is not a condition. It is a transitional point of contact, not a continuous line of movement.

Eleus'sis (eleus'sis) is a Greek word for covering the entire line of movement from point A to point B. Our Greek word we are considering, parousia (parousia), is the arrival or conclusion of the process of coming.



B. Twenty verses where the Greek word, "parousia" should be translated "arrival."

Matthew 24:3 "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 (parousia), and of the end of the world?"

Matthew 24:27 "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming (parousia) of the Son of man be."

Matthew 24:37 "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming (parousia) of the Son of man be."

Matthew 24:39 "And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming (parousia) of the Son of man be."

1 Corinthians 15:23 "But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward, they that are Christ's at His coming (parousia)."

1 Corinthians 16:17 "I am glad of the coming (parousia) of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which is lacking on your part, they have supplied."

2 Corinthians 7:6 "Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming (parousia) of Titus; and not by his coming only,

2 Corinthians 7:7 "And not by his coming (parousia) only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire..." coming (parousia) only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire..."

1 Thessalonians 2:19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming (parousia)?"

1 Thessalonians 3:13 "To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

1 Thessalonians 4:15 "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming (parousia) of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep."

1 Thessalonians 5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Thessalonians 2:1 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him."

2 Thessalonians 2:8 "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming (parousia)."

2 Thessalonians 2:9 "Even him, whose coming (parousia) is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders."

James 5:7, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming (parousia) of the Lord."

5:8 "Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming (parousia) of the Lord draweth nigh."

2 Peter 3:4 "And saying, Where is the promise of His coming (parousia)?"

3:12 "Looking for and hasting unto the coming (parousia) of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"

1 John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming (parousia)"

This is a complete list of the New Testament locations of the Greek word, Parousia (parousia) in it's 24 occurrences. The English word "coming" does not give us the true picture that is painted in the Greek word, Parousia (parousia). A "coming" may or may not end in an arrival. However, an arrival is final and means that we are experiencing His Presence. Many are beginning to understand that He has already come in 70 C. E. and is here, according to Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. Many still debate this issue.

The Bible speaks of the "end of the world" in connection with the "coming of the Lord." His coming or arrival was during the first century (70 C. E.) and that "generation" did not pass away until they saw it. We are not living in the "last days." For in 30 C. E., God spoke to the Hebrew people through Jesus Christ and called those times "the last days" (Hebrews 1:2). The last days ended the Biblical period of redemption. We have been redeemed and are living in the days beyond those last days. We are in living in "the ages to come."



These are days when we must unite.

Whatever you or I believe about the end of the world, today we are in times of trouble when Terrorists are threatening our peace. We must act now and unite all our efforts to safeguard our families and country.

The hidden word

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee;" Proverbs 2:1

In between the southern border of Russia and the northern border of China sits the 19th largest country in the world. For a period of just four minutes and seven seconds on March 29, 2006, citizens of western Mongolia were able to witness the most recent Total Solar Eclipse. Such a rare occurrence could not be missed as the moon passed between the earth and the sun to temporarily hide all natural light from our planet in that particular location. The Greeks spoke of things “hidden” through two very similar words, kalypto (from which we get eclipse and apocalypse) and krypto (from which we get cryptic and cryptography). Both have essentially the same meaning, but might help us in contemplating the extensive depths of what it means “to hide.”

In the Hebrew world that Solomon lived and wrote, his father can be quoted as saying: “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11 A key question should arise from both verses. If the “word” has been received, why should it be hidden? After all, if the “received word” includes beneficial truth for the world (such as the gospel or a note of wisdom), it seems only right that we would be quick to tell someone. Hidden words are not visible words, so why are they to be stored under lock and key? For the answer, we again turn to Solomon's father, the ever beloved King David: "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom." Psalm 51:6 Look at the verse again.

Read it several times through. If the Word is not hidden deep within your heart, you will never know wisdom. It is not enough to simply "know" the Word or recite each verse from the memory of the mind. Hear the Word. Study the Word. Know the Word. But during the process, hide the Word inside. For only when the Truth is hidden in our hearts can it be applied.

Take a stand!

Gentle Readers,
Dr Denis says... http//drcallahan.bravejournal.com has been spammed so many times in the past month that the sever took me off line to protect it's bandwidth. So in the meantime here is another reason why I am incurring the wrath of the world. by another brother.

The Evangelical SubcultureTwo Different Conversions

When I became a follower of Jesus Christ I underwent two different conversions, although I didn't realize it at the time. First, I was converted from my old life into the Body of Christ by reconciliation with God through Jesus. Hallelujah! At about the same time I bought into the Evangelical Subculture under the false impression that it WAS the Body of Christ. It took me years to realize the difference between the two.

I had been aware of "Christendom": that worldly religious structure consisting of political and economic empires and bureaucracies, both Protestant and Catholic, that had fought religious wars and undertaken crusades to retake the "Holy Land", that had burned people at the stake, that continued to preach false Christs and false gospels of works, and that continues to talk about the counterfeit unity called Ecumenicalism.

But I had not understood the nature of the Evangelical Subculture, that is a part of the worldly structure of "Christendom". This subculture has its own organizations and institutions, denominations, parachurch organizations; its own magazines and radio stations and TV networks; its own schools and colleges and universities; its own celebrities; its own music industry and book stores; its own marketing and advertising worlds.

Like Joining a Club

The tragedy of the Evangelical Subculture is that people who have a sincere desire to follow Jesus get side tracked into a zeal for being a part of this worldly system. It is like joining a club. The club member begins to wear the clothes and trinkets bought at the "Christian" book stores; watch "Christian" TV and listen to "Christian" radio; buy the latest fad books that sweep the "Christian media"; subscribe to the "Christian" magazines; worship the "Christian" celebrities; use all the latest jargon promoted in the latest books by the celebrity authors.

A cult-like mentality develops among people who see this Evangelical system as identical to the Body of Christ. Their zeal is for the trappings of the subculture. It is its own religion. If someone tries to point out the unbiblical nature of some aspect of this subculture people will take offense because you are criticizing their religion. The subculture becomes the message. The "gospel" that people preach is for conversion to the system, not really to Jesus Christ.

The Subculture, Institutionalism, and Deception

The pop culture of Evangelicalism feeds on institutionalism, denominationalism, "non-denominational" institutional church organizations, and the professional clergy system. The professional clergy and their church organizations, in turn, find an indoctrinated constituency to fill their pews and programs. Both the subculture and the institutional churches turn a relationship with Jesus and his people into a participation in a religion and a lifestyle.

This Evangelical Subculture has played a major role in setting professing Christians up for deception. It seduces people to think and act like the subculture instead of reading the Bible for themselves and deriving their understanding from the Bible. It has been this subculture that has infected the Evangelicals with psychology, self-esteem, political action and social activism, unity at the expense of sound doctrine, mysticism, and cult attachments to gurus, movements, and organizations. Ultimately, the end of this deception is a merging of the Evangelical Subculture with the global counterfeit religious vision.

We ought to be content with the simplicity of following Jesus and being the Body of Christ together with those the Lord provides for fellowship, according to the teachings of the Apostles in the New Testament.

Jim Baumgaertel

Thank you

O Gracious God, we give you thanks for your overflowing generosity to us. Thank you for the blessings of the food we eat and especially for this feast today. Thank you for our home and family and friends, especially for the presence of those gathered here. Thank you for our health, our work and our play. Please send help me those who are hungry, alone, sick and suffering war and violence. Open my heart to your love. We ask your blessing through Christ your son. Amen. and Amen

Thanksgiving

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Time is GOD'S way of preventing everything from happening all at once.

BEING THANKFUL
"Enter HIS gates with praise and thanksgiving, HIS courts with acclamation. Praise Him! Be thankful to HIM! Bless HIS Name!" [Psalms (Tehillym) 100. 4 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

The majority of occurrences of the word thankful or thanks in the OLD COVENANT are translated from the Hebrew word "yadah" which means to "hold out the hand, to extend an empty hand, revere or worship with extended hands."

A truly thankful person is one who has come to grips with certain realities about his need before CREATOR GOD. The ALMIGHTY ONE commands us to be thankful. It was a duty given to the Levitical priests "to be present every morning to praise and extol the LORD, and at evening too." [1 Chronicles (Dibre Hayamin Alef) 23. 30 Tanakh, Kethuvim] When the HOLY ONE, blessed be HE, brought the Israelites back to Jerusalem in the times of Nehemiah "he began with thanksgiving, with prayer and praise" [Nehemiah (Nechemah) 11. 17 Tanakh, Kethuvim] and the Levites "led the thanksgiving psalms and songs." [Nehemiah (Nechemah) 12. 8 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

The Hebrew word used by the OLD COVENANT writers is a picture of one holding out an empty, thankful hand to the ETERNAL ONE. There is nothing we can bring to GOD that causes HIM to bless us. Our empty hands picture our inadequacy to accomplish the will of the EVERLASTING FATHER (in our own strength), or to provide for our own needs or the needs of others.

The prophet Jonah "prayed to the LORD his GOD from the belly of the fish" [Jonah (Yonah) 2. 1 Tanakh, Nevi'im] and even in this loathsome dilemma proclaimed, "but I, with loud THANKSGIVING, will sacrifice to YOU; what I have vowed I will perform. Salvation is of the LORD." [Jonah (Yonah) 2. 9 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

Nebuchadnezzar had to learn this lesson. Although he had been warned to repent of his arrogant, boastful, self-importance he still uttered, "There is great Babylon, which I have built by my vast power to be a royal residence for the glory of my majesty!" [Daniel (Danyel) 4. 30 Tanakh, Kethuvim] This great king was driven out by OMNIPOTENT GOD and caused to eat grass "like the cattle and beasts of the field" - and when his senses returned, Nebuchadnezzar realized that even a mighty king's hands are empty unless the MIGHTY KING of kings fills them.

In our generation people deny their dependency upon their HEAVENLY CREATOR. "Because that, when they knew GOD, they glorified HIM not as GOD, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened." [Romans 1. 21] Our witness to this darkened world is to live with the reality of our own empty hands extended in thankfulness to "The ONE" Who supplies all our needs. "O LORD, YOU open YOUR hand, they (and we) are well satisfied." [Psalms (Tehillym) 104. 28 Tanakh, Kethuvim]




Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !
Happy Thanksgiving dear ones! We give thanks the whole year through as we remember and praise our Almighty Creator & SAVIOUR, HE is the most splendid GIFT we have all been given. Faith celebrates even before the victory is seen!

Please note Dr Denis says... has been spammed so that I will be off line for the next 2 weeks... Sorry to my readers

THE QUESTION OF DIVISIONS

THE QUESTION OF DIVISIONS


As we look about us today we see that Christendom is divided into hundreds of sects. We read much about these divisions as men deplore them. There is a widespread accusation that men are dividing the body of Christ. And men everywhere are seeking to make a union, to gather the sects and denominations together under one head. But of course that one head will be a man.

In the midst of all this the question comes to mind as to whether there can be divisions in the body of Christ. If so, how could it be done? Where would one start? What means could be used?

In Ephesians 4:3-6 there is mentioned the unity of the Spirit. It is sevenfold as follows;

ONE LORD

One Hope One Faith

One Spirit One Baptism

One Body One God and Father

No one can make this unity. It is already made. It is to be kept, that is all that one can do about it. But somebody is sure to ask if the unity is broken if somebody does not keep it. Failing to keep the unity is not breaking it or making any divisions. The unity cannot be changed by man's attitude toward it. It remains nevertheless.

In man made organizations, there can be all kinds of divisions and splits. And they can also make a unity by joining organizations together. But no such unity can be a spiritual one.

In the churches during Acts, there were divisions and strife. This was wrong and was mentioned along with carnality, fornication, incest, and the like. But after Acts the word church never again appears in the plural and no longer does the term apply to a group of believers here on the earth. The church today is seated with Christ in the heavens. What man can ascend to heaven to divide this church?

The Head of the church today is seated at the right hand of God in the heavenlies. If any man were to try to be head of the church today, he would have to invade heaven itself and displace Christ from His position there. Yet men vainly imagine that the church is here on the earth and that a man is its head. And many a martyr died in the flames insisting that Christ was the Head of the church, and not somebody else.

What man can ascend to heaven to break the unity of the Spirit? Yet we are told that we are to strive earnestly to keep it. We are to watch over it, to take care of it in our own lives, to keep an eye upon it, not looking to something else as a substitute, and to observe it attentively. Our failure to do this does not break it, but it can break us. We can suffer loss and lose our joy.

Keeping the unity of the Spirit is closely knit with the walk. The unity can be manifested in the walk. If one will closely read this chapter 4, he will see that this all leads on to a unity of the faith mentioned in verse 13. But there can be no unity of faith without a knowledge of the Son of God. This leads to maturity, the full grown man.

koinwniva Koinonia

THE FELLOWSHIP Startled by the alarm clock on a cool Sunday morning, many of us awake to the routine of service at our local church. An elder has requested that we arrive early to set up chairs or perhaps make coffee for old friends. Some of us are the recipients of this labor as we enter the doors of an assembly hoping to see a smile and find warmth from our pastor's gentle encouragement. When all is said and done, a few go out for lunch and the majority return to their privacy. By its very nature, we call this weekly encounter a time of "fellowship." From Oxford to Harvard and every prestigious university in between, great scholars are often granted the title of "Fellow." Depending on the academic structure, this can mean a variety of different things, but at its core, any university Fellow is a man or woman who receives unlimited access to the inner libraries and research offices. Even college students have been known to receive word from the government that they are being granted a "fellowship" of financial support based on the condition of their academic status. With so many different experiences, we naturally stand to be a little bit confused about the meaning of fellowship. Is it a gathering of people on sunday morning? Is it a financial gift? Is it a prestigious title? "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;" Philippians 1:3-5 Paul speaks in remembrance of Philippian "fellowship" by bringing in the Greek word koinonia. Simply put, this a remembrance of "joint participation" in a common cause. "Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 In 1987, our nation rallied behind the rescue workers of Midland, Texas as they worked to lift "Baby Jessica" out of the well she had fallen. Such a little child could not alone be held accountable for falling, but she required the assistance of others to get back up. Likewise, Biblical fellowship stands on the principle of giving aid for the common good. At times, we may manufacture the environment for this with Sunday morning coffee or an invitation to dinner, but the setting is not the fellowship. If one is broken, fellowship willl put them back together. If one is fallen, fellowship will seek to restore them. If one is down, fellowship will find a way to lift them up. "That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care for one another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it." I Corinthians 12:25-26 Sound Biblical fellowship recognizes this necessity of partnership. For when one partner falls and we do not help him get back up, what will happen when we fall? Likewise, if we do not rejoice when our partner is honored, who will rejoice when we are honored? Our heaven-bound road was not intended to be lonely. The path may in fact be narrow, but that ought to bring us closer together, not spread us apart. As fellowship closes the gap of distance between you and your brother in Christ, you'll want to make every effort to help them get up if they lose their footing.

#7 Seminaries

Not my seminary but just a photo of another cemetery

Gentle Reader,

Marti has been sick and so I sit by her bedside and contemplate the things that I wish to share. One certainly should ask "why Denis, do you rant against Christians when you say with much convincing arguments that you are also a believer in Christ the peripatetic carpenter from Nazareth?" And I must admit Gentle reader, that this series probably disturbs me much more than it does you.

It is because I care deeply about my faith and then in turn the faith that was "once delivered to all the Saints". I see so much good on every side from those who claim the Name of Christ! And yet I see beyond all of the good to see such ignominy being perpetrated upon those who have no defense. It does not begin in the pew of churches nor even in the pulpit but... in the seminaries. When those with little or no faith try to destroy the faith of those who come to be taught the Word of God.

It is in Seminaries that we have those who want to stop your thinking process until your eyes bleed from the a shear temerity that passes for education (As I always say not all, but so many are disingenuous that the teach the K.I.S.S. method Keep them simply stupid)

I challenged a theologian in residence at Notre Dame University. And what He told me was telling "If I would tell these students the truth I would lose my tenure!" I have been defamed, denied, and discourteously treated simply because I dare to tell the truth. And the truth is Gentle Reader, as the Apostle Paul one said:

"O the depth of the RICHES both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33)

It is God gentle Reader, who wants you to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of Him as He knows you.

And it is Man who wants you to be ignorant of your faith. It becomes sciolism in our seminaries which reaches down to the pulpit and then to the pew in which you sit. No longer are we allowed to study the Scripture with a "critical eye" to see and learn for ourselves what Scripture truly says . We are force fed pablum by those who have never gone beyond "milk themselves! I for one will not stand idly by and allow the unlearned, unenlightened, and unconversant to continue to steal for you what is your God given right to Know Him. 

 I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread

 Denis 

"That I may know Him." Ah, I long to know

Not just a Christ of far-gone years ago;

Nor even reigning on a heavenly throne,

Too high and distant to be really known.

I long to know Him closely; this is how-

Alive-and in this ever-pressing "now";

Communicating His all-conquering power,

A living One, within my heart this hour,

Who now no longer lives from me apart,

But shares His resurrection in my heart.

Others have said

"...a rare and unique gift of being able to take a broad spectrum of subjects in the Word of God which are often profoundly complex and difficult, and unfold them in such a charming and simple way that they become spiritual manna and springs in the desert". Herbert J. Moore, D. Sc. California, USA

"...this un-heard of literature would indeed be a blessing in our country." A. Wigholm Stockholm, Sweden

Your writings are both original in their thought and provocative (not only to say inspiring) in their presentation, and the conclusions are thoroughly evangelical." John R. Brencher, Th.D. Liverpool, England

"...illuminating and refreshing in their originality of thought." Hugh L. Mackintosh, M.D. Ayshire, Scotland

Reason # 8 Stay away from...

Which Church is right and which is wrong?

"What if everyone got kicked out of his denomination once a year? Then everyone would have to ask himself, "Do I believe the Bible teaches this because I'm an Epiptopresbymethobaptopalian... or am I an Epiptopresbymethobaptopalian because I believe the Bible teaches this?" And some denominations would die (—and good riddance!), and some stalled people would get growing seriously?"




Gentle Reader,

Some have ask what gives me the right (since I claim to be a Christian) to criticize religion and Churches in general and Christianity in particular. And rightly so, do some ask how can I do this seemly "terrible' thing when what we need in more religion not less and words that I wouldn’t repeat in a bar room brawl!

To begin with I have a PhD. degree in Ancient Biblical Philology (languages) one of only a handful in America. I also have a Th. D. which is a Doctorate in Theology and a D.D. Doctorate of Divinity I have several degrees in Education at the college level and have spent the past, (do I have to really tell you how long I have been teaching, preaching and studying?) Well lets just say more years than most of my readers have been alive. I have preached and taught in countries all over the world. From small group bible studies to large Bible conferences, teaching people from University professors to grade school children. I have spoken in all types of Churches from Pentecostal to Baptist from Catholic conferences to Methodist to Church of Ireland and Anglican English church as well as more American churches than there are states and stars and stripes on your flag. My book, "Which Church"? is the result of this massive research project covering more than that little store front Bible or home fellowships. So once again let me state for the record I am a Christian (but not just any Christian , I am a child of the Most High God, creator of heaven and earth. He wrote us (all true spiritual seekers of truth) a love letter, to which I have devoted more time than you have spent flipping the remote on your television. A life time seeking the "TRUTH of the truth" These are my top reasons for seeing that religion is a waste and what we have today in what we call American churches is a sham and a disgrace (Not all churches and not every person) But for the purpose of making my top 10 certain characteristics are paramount. My next reason to stay away from church is a biggie. I call it denominations. Each group, or church or denomination, (with the exception of the Roman Catholic Church, who allow a hierarchy of men -no women to tell everyone else what to believe) decides what they believe, and what makes one a follower of Christ by whether or not one ascribes to their particular set of doctrines and some even go so far as to demand certain rituals and mental ascent and many demand that you subscribe to all of their rules "without mental reservation" ("leave your brain and reason at the door please"). So when for example you join one church if you have not been properly introduced to whatever teaching they believe in it just doesn’t count!

#8 Denominationalism Gentle reader, is the reason that I don’t fit in to your "normal" church I refuse to bow or bend to a group that has already decided what I can believe or and has all the answers about God! You may of course and you should join with others who give you a sense of comfort. But (there is always a but) Never allow someone to squeeze you into their mold ["I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable serviceAnd do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1,2]. I leave you with this one question "How can you join a family that you have been born into"?



If you stay away from the organized church you might find the "real" body of Christ


"The truth is out there"

Denis

Reason #9 to stay away from Church

Reason #9 It Is a shame that “so-Christians have so little understanding of Holy scripture that they just “pick and chose Scriptures they like rather than to get a handle on all of God’s word. (that includes many so-called Pastors) [call by a “church” but not by God] One of the main reasons God gave us His word was to understand what forgiveness is all about! Duh, so when you see a Christian condemning a particular sin (Sin is missing the standard -which standard is God Himself not anything that man makes up) you can guess that they have no compassion or understanding of weakness that in inherent within all of us. They would say “Christians aren’t perfect just forgiven” But the standard that these establish for them selves they are unwilling to allow to someone else! Recently we have a church and pastor demonstrating against a funeral of a soldier killed in the War . Saying that it is God’s judgement on America for fighting in a unjust war. Let me ask you Gentle reader, when is killing and judgement ever just. Perhaps in God view, But Gentle Reader, those who condemn others need to walk a mile or so in their shoes. These people who are suppose to show forth the reality of Christ ! No wonder people run from Christians. Christ came for the lost strayed and stolen, and yet those same people join a church and won’t have someone with HIV/AIDS worship with them. Or someone with a gay lifestyle. Christ never put a limit on lifestyle, or illness He just said “Come, follow me!” If those who name the name of Christ were true witness you couldn’t keep people away. It’s not what you do Gentle reader, it’s who you are. You life should be so transparent that people want you have. If they don’t then why ?

"To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;" Proverbs 1:3

Top 10 Reasons

Warning: These next 10 or so post are about why I believe that Religion/church is no longer the a relevant place to go for Christians or for that matter for anyone who sincerely desires a Spiritual Awaking in America. This does not mean EVERY church is altogether a place to be avoided. But you should not park your brain at the door and accept everything said or done there . We are told in Holy Scripture “Come out from among them and be ye separate ” Many real believers have left the Organizational church and opted for a fellowship the way God intended. I for one have talked with literally 100's of churches so called that have no concept of what “real Christianity” is all about. If these next blogs entries offend. Ask yourself why? Perhaps what I say in love is the same thing Jesus said in the Jewish Temple. Wake up and Grow and then Go America. This is may take on what you should look for or to avoid. I apologize in advance for those who have such a limited understanding of Scripture. To the Pastors that I have talked with this is a Wake up call for all of us who have been chosen by God to speak up and out. No churches or Pastors have been harmed in these blog entries (except for those who need to get on their knees and beg God to forgive them)

10 Reason to stay away from Religion /Church

#10

 Gentle Reader,

When I see what passes for Christianity around me it's a wonder that God's grace isn't totally exhausted! We have not "real" Christianity but in fact "Churchianity" that is to say what passes for a belief system has been so tainted by avarice, self centeredness, lying (and not to just to one another but to themselves as well "I a good Christian" because I give my tithe to the church and yet ignore the poverty of brothers and sisters right next door! "MT 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
MT 23:14  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." Am I the only one that sees what is taking place in our last bastion of Hope"?

What should be the place where you can receive truth you receive watered down, stale the ghost of it's former self under the guise of being with it or Gen X or some such tripe which makes me think of that soap opera "As the stomach turns" 

I have churches that contact me from all over and I see no difference in what they want. They begin by telling me that that want someone conversant with the Bible in the first statement and in the next several paragraphs they tell me that they already have made up their minds what the Bible teaches on every subject! Duh! After 30+ years I learn every day something new and I study in original languages!  They have no Spiritual understanding and truly I have meet self proclaimed Pagans who are more in tune with God that many Christians! What's  that tell you? But here we have a group (Church want to be) stating that they have every understanding on every subject. They want some one to be a figure head not someone who will tell them the truth. They don't want the truth of the Bible, they want to feel good about living just they way they do and believe the way they believe "Don't confuse me with the facts preacher, my mind is already made up" I was told by one one deacon.

 What's worse we have T.V. Preachers who tell you to send money and God will bless you because He wants you to have a new house, car and all the money all you have to do is send "seed faith" to show God that you are sincere! Duh. if God is God does He need you money? I don't think so. But some greedy unchristian group wants to scam you for all you have and then will tell you you don't have enough "faith" ( Forsaking  all I Take Him)!

Next time we'll look and #9 reason to stay away from Religion/church

 Love, Denis

 (It's all Greek to me)

Are you dull?

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Make not of the TORAH a crown wherewith to aggrandize yourself, nor a spade wherewith to dig.

DON'T GROW DULL
"For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." [Matthew 13. 15] "Hear, indeed, but do not understand; see, indeed, but do not grasp. Dull that people's mind, stop its ears, and seal its eyes – lest, seeing with its eyes and hearing with their ears, it also grasp with their mind, and repent and be saved." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 6. 9 – 10 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

In HIS early ministry, MESSIAH YESHUA ran into stubborn opposition from the Scribes and Pharisees. Therefore, HE told the people about heavenly truths in parables so only the believers would understand. "It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." [Matthew 13. 11] Parables also fulfill prophecy, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 'I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world." [Matthew 13. 35]

This explains the progressive nature of OMNISCIENT GOD'S revelation to man, knowledge should be used to grow in grace and apply it in their life. However, if their hearing grows dull and they turn knowledge off willfully, it becomes a vehicle of condemnation, their perception is lost and discernment is gone because "they did not like to retain GOD in their knowledge, GOD gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting." [Romans 1. 28]

Our prayers for you are "that the GOD of our MESSIAH JESUS, the FATHER of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of HIM" [Ephesians 1. 17] as He washes your hearts from all wickedness.

GOD ALMIGHTY our LORD & Saviour desires "all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." [1 Timothy 2. 4] "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are HIS judgments and HIS ways past finding out!" [Romans 11. 33] "Great is the LORD and much acclaimed; HIS greatness cannot be fathomed." [Psalms (Tehillym) 145. 3 Tanakh, Kethuvim] To God be the glory forever. Amen.


Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !
Almighty God chooses what we go through; we choose how we go through it. Choose carefully!

America, Stand up

Gentle Reader,

I am not a prophet, or psyche, or a seer or even some bigwig prophecy expert like Nostradamus.

I am for the most part just like you, trying to get through the day without messing up to much with either my wife or dogs or bird. And perhaps like you (or not) depending where your head is, trying to make some sort of contribution to the "Late great planet earth"!

I see two planes that which we call the physical (where you can see , touch, feel, taste (where we all live, most of the time) and then another plane the invisible, (where things are not so plain to see) areas of mind (we all have the ability, but not all use this area) where the unseen are seen in the minds eye. Am I too esoteric for you?

{In Western, English-speaking societies today, the term "esotericism" has come to informally mean any knowledge that is difficult to understand or remember, such as theoretical physics, or that which pertains to the minutiae of a particular discipline, such as "esoteric" baseball statistics. The term "esoteric" does not necessarily refer to "esotericism" per se in the sense of "inner" knowledge, disciplines, or practices.}

Anyway what I see in the esoteric tells me that I should stand up for what you see in the physical. That is to say. America has been sold out by their government, what you will see in the future is a European like union which I will refer to as MexAmeriCanada, Big Corporations, are outsourcing all jobs they can to countries when children as young as 9-10 are forced to work 16-18 hours a day for no pay. The Government wants to charge the country of Turkey with Genocide in the first World War! But refuses to acknowledge the genocide in America by killing millions of unborn babies! Congress refuses to enforce its laws and state Governors are making illegal people legal w/o the right of citizenship! To make matters worse 25 states are now considering seceding from the United States because Government won't do what it is sworn to do. "Protect We the people"

That's what I see Gentle Reader, and so I don't leave out any group I see the Churches trying to run along and join themselves to the "world' rather than speak out! Preachers, Rabbis and Priest step up on Saturday and Sunday and allow others to silence them about moral corruption in the pulpit and in the pew! Pedophiles run rampant and children are being killed in your schools! Now what is America doing about these things ?

What are you doing? Gentle Reader? Unless you are ready to learn Arabic or Farsi (I am ahead of you on the languages thing) but I suggest that you take a stand and start screaming from the house top to your government officials and every company that your buy goods from [from the Wal-Mart to the car dealer and tell that you want American products , no more cheap labor knock offs or toys with lead for our children and you will boycott all products that come from outside our country] and tell them that you have had IT! I intend to write until someone listens . . . Unless your too busy watching "dancing with the Stars" to bother to take a stand for the freedoms you value.

I am just saying... take a stand America!

Denis