Friday brought another weekly visit from Bonnie. Due to the hectic nature of the last few weeks, it was a lovely time of peace and reflection.
Here are some of the scriptures we looked at.
This was one that was given when I mentioned the incredible life of my Aunt Betty. She was a truly remarkable woman and even though there was gladness in her "long life," I still believe life should never cease.
Psalm 90:10 (New International Version)
The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
I mentioned to Bonnie and Lori that I had attended a mom's group on Thursday morning. The woman were very friendly and accepting of me. However, at one point the women talked of "mansions" in heaven. That they were building castles or mansions in heaven, since the Bible says that we should store up our treasures there. Bonnie had mentioned the following a few weeks back:
1 John 2:15-17 (New International Version)
Do Not Love the World
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Due to the above scripture, I found it (in simple thoughts) hypocritical to suggest that tangible things were the treasures to be stored in heaven. I really believe that treasures are matters of the heart, not of the physical. So I was perplexed at how these ladies were able to derive that from the above verses. Of course I smiled and let the women discuss who had the larger home in heaven. It reminded me of a contest in elementary school focused on who had the most toys.
So here are the "treasure" verses in the Bible, which my Witness friends believe are being taken "literally" by those at the mom's group:
Matthew 6:19-21 (New International Version)
Treasures in Heaven
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
and then:
Matthew 6:33 (New International Version)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
I really want to give my heart and soul to God...to give all my cares to him...and to truly allow him to guide my life. In that respect I would be storing my treasures in heaven. Not building a mansion, for that is a tangible "earthly" or "worldly" thing.
The next meeting will be about the special date of 1914 and how it relates to Jesus's reign on Earth. The Witnesses are amazing to me, but I'm still VERY comfortable in my beliefs. However, I am proud that I continue to have an open heart and mind to everything and everyone out there.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Tra La La Tree
After almost two years of rewrites and iterations, I have finally produced the submission manuscript for The Tra La La Tree. I hope you enjoy reading it.
THE TRA LA LA TREE
Have you ever heard the story of the Tra La La Tree,
And the love of one girl that set Its song free?
The Tra La La Tree is quite different, I suppose,
For the Songs of the Seasons Its heart does compose.
In Spring, It sings songs of birds, flowers, and rains,
Bringing miracles to music: stanzas and refrains.
It welcomes new life held within branches blooming,
Inside cup-shaped nests are eggs unassuming.
When warm weather of Summer encourages laughter,
It inspires play in children - a melody sought after.
The Tree now has leaves in many shades of green:
Chartreuse, teal, emerald and aquamarine.
Crisp days of Autumn bring chromatic falling leaves,
And harmony that supports many enchanted motifs.
A pair of bushy-tailed squirrels: nut-stuffed and gray,
Prepare for weeks ahead, by building their warm drey.
When Winter winds blow through days dark and long.
The Tra La La Tree sings a glistening song.
Each tiny snowflake falling in sweet silent delight,
Covering the tree in a blanket: fluffy and white.
Oh Seasons they did pass, fifty years maybe less,
Many people walked on by, ignoring you might guess.
But one ordinary day a small child came quite near,
Her desire was a hiding spot, a place to disappear.
The little girl had many troubles with finding a friend,
But the Tra La La Tree was one; she could pretend.
The children continued their taunting and teasing,
Their words and their actions were not at all pleasing.
During recess while others were busy with games,
The girl learned to ignore the mean-spirited names.
She soon found her comfort in the Tree’s little nook,
And spent her time dreaming or reading a book.
The Tree taught her Nature and the Songs of the Earth,
Which can fill hearts with meaning and genuine worth.
As the friendship continued, the girl realized,
The whole world should learn we must live harmonized.
Her wishes were not selfish, for the little girl knew:
We must love one another, our enemies too.
So the end of each day in the little girl’s prayers,
Were expressions of hopes and genuine cares.
What do you think her wish could have been?
That the Songs of the world can be found from within.
Then one day it happened, as wishes sometimes do,
The little girl was sitting at her home with the flu.
She was calling for her special doll forgot by the tree,
Pleading with her mom, “Could you get it for me?”
Her mother agreed to her daughter’s sweet prayer,
And looked for the doll with braided, black hair.
As her Mother came upon the split path in the woods,
Her only focus was finding her little girl’s goods.
But she heard it: a Melody, a quite comforting tune,
And she knew she would find her daughter’s doll soon.
It was then that she noticed a crowd gathered around,
In the middle: a Tree singing a most beautiful sound.
At that moment, Its melodies no longer concealed,
The beauty of life: a child’s innocence revealed.
For the Songs of the Seasons: now shared with Mankind,
As our Creator intended: one voice, intertwined.
So if you want to hear the songs of the Tra La La Tree,
Close your eyes, gently listen, and simply believe.
THE TRA LA LA TREE
Have you ever heard the story of the Tra La La Tree,
And the love of one girl that set Its song free?
The Tra La La Tree is quite different, I suppose,
For the Songs of the Seasons Its heart does compose.
In Spring, It sings songs of birds, flowers, and rains,
Bringing miracles to music: stanzas and refrains.
It welcomes new life held within branches blooming,
Inside cup-shaped nests are eggs unassuming.
When warm weather of Summer encourages laughter,
It inspires play in children - a melody sought after.
The Tree now has leaves in many shades of green:
Chartreuse, teal, emerald and aquamarine.
Crisp days of Autumn bring chromatic falling leaves,
And harmony that supports many enchanted motifs.
A pair of bushy-tailed squirrels: nut-stuffed and gray,
Prepare for weeks ahead, by building their warm drey.
When Winter winds blow through days dark and long.
The Tra La La Tree sings a glistening song.
Each tiny snowflake falling in sweet silent delight,
Covering the tree in a blanket: fluffy and white.
Oh Seasons they did pass, fifty years maybe less,
Many people walked on by, ignoring you might guess.
But one ordinary day a small child came quite near,
Her desire was a hiding spot, a place to disappear.
The little girl had many troubles with finding a friend,
But the Tra La La Tree was one; she could pretend.
The children continued their taunting and teasing,
Their words and their actions were not at all pleasing.
During recess while others were busy with games,
The girl learned to ignore the mean-spirited names.
She soon found her comfort in the Tree’s little nook,
And spent her time dreaming or reading a book.
The Tree taught her Nature and the Songs of the Earth,
Which can fill hearts with meaning and genuine worth.
As the friendship continued, the girl realized,
The whole world should learn we must live harmonized.
Her wishes were not selfish, for the little girl knew:
We must love one another, our enemies too.
So the end of each day in the little girl’s prayers,
Were expressions of hopes and genuine cares.
What do you think her wish could have been?
That the Songs of the world can be found from within.
Then one day it happened, as wishes sometimes do,
The little girl was sitting at her home with the flu.
She was calling for her special doll forgot by the tree,
Pleading with her mom, “Could you get it for me?”
Her mother agreed to her daughter’s sweet prayer,
And looked for the doll with braided, black hair.
As her Mother came upon the split path in the woods,
Her only focus was finding her little girl’s goods.
But she heard it: a Melody, a quite comforting tune,
And she knew she would find her daughter’s doll soon.
It was then that she noticed a crowd gathered around,
In the middle: a Tree singing a most beautiful sound.
At that moment, Its melodies no longer concealed,
The beauty of life: a child’s innocence revealed.
For the Songs of the Seasons: now shared with Mankind,
As our Creator intended: one voice, intertwined.
So if you want to hear the songs of the Tra La La Tree,
Close your eyes, gently listen, and simply believe.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
finding hidden books
A couple months ago, Jim brought home a book from our church's library. I must mention that 99% of the books in there are from before I was born, so I was surprised at the "newness" of the book. Its title, "The Hidden Book in the Bible" was also very compelling. For quite some time now, I have believed that the midrash stories of old had been collected for the Old Testament. Take the stories, add some history, then smatter a TON of laws and social stuff and...voila! A Bible is born.
So I started reading the preface information. Richard Elliott Friedman was extremely verbose in his discovery of the "hidden" book of the Bible. He went back to the original Hebrew and translated as close as possible, not deviating from awkward sentences, etc. He claimed that the hidden book included all the popular stories from Sunday School - all those that didn't include Jesus that is. However, his claim is that this "hidden" book was written by one person. No storytelling history here...just the work of one person (man or woman). Apparently many Bible scholars attribute the Old Testament to the work of 4 sources. Regardless what the truth is, I was extremely interested in reading Friedman's interpretation.
The narrative is quite brief in comparison, but all my favorites were in there. That is, until I came to the Ten Commandments. Now, depending on if you grew up Lutheran or another Christian religion your "ten" are divided differently. However, they are either from Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5:6-21. As noted above, the "hidden" book doesn't include any one book of the Old Testament, so many stories are different or shorter than my many readings of the Bible. However, I was shocked to read the "hidden" book's ten were from a completely different place. Here is the text from Exodus 34:14 -26 from the NIV:
14 Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. 15 "Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices. 16 And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same.
17 "Do not make cast idols.
18 "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt.
19 "The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock. 20 Redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem all your firstborn sons.
"No one is to appear before me empty-handed.
21 "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.
22 "Celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. [b] 23 Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel. 24 I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the LORD your God.
25 "Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me along with anything containing yeast, and do not let any of the sacrifice from the Passover Feast remain until morning.
26 "Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.
"Do not cook a young goat in its mother's milk."
So here are these interesting commandments of the Lord. Yes, in the greater work of the Bible as we know it; but the only ten in this "hidden" book. These commandments are what were carried in the ark of the covenant. My personal favorite is the young goat in its mother's milk. I really think that is kosher law, but I might be wrong.
I plan on finishing this "hidden" book today, as it isn't much to accomplish with a sick child (even though the sun is shinning and the temperature is warm).
I believe that I am a very open person. I keep an open heart and mind to interpretations of books, especially the Bible. Everyone thinks he/she has the right interpretation, and that is no different that Friedman's attempt at the investigation behind "The Hidden Book in the Bible." I, on the other hand, do not believe that there was one person that wrote the "hidden" story. It could have been a couple people compiling other works, but it seems rather bizarre to think that stories like the flood and creation were written down originally. This is all considering that these stories have been found in other cultures from thousands of years before common era. It's a cool idea, but artistic drama created for the sell of a contemporary book.
And thus my thoughts are finished.
So I started reading the preface information. Richard Elliott Friedman was extremely verbose in his discovery of the "hidden" book of the Bible. He went back to the original Hebrew and translated as close as possible, not deviating from awkward sentences, etc. He claimed that the hidden book included all the popular stories from Sunday School - all those that didn't include Jesus that is. However, his claim is that this "hidden" book was written by one person. No storytelling history here...just the work of one person (man or woman). Apparently many Bible scholars attribute the Old Testament to the work of 4 sources. Regardless what the truth is, I was extremely interested in reading Friedman's interpretation.
The narrative is quite brief in comparison, but all my favorites were in there. That is, until I came to the Ten Commandments. Now, depending on if you grew up Lutheran or another Christian religion your "ten" are divided differently. However, they are either from Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5:6-21. As noted above, the "hidden" book doesn't include any one book of the Old Testament, so many stories are different or shorter than my many readings of the Bible. However, I was shocked to read the "hidden" book's ten were from a completely different place. Here is the text from Exodus 34:14 -26 from the NIV:
14 Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. 15 "Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices. 16 And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same.
17 "Do not make cast idols.
18 "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt.
19 "The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock. 20 Redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem all your firstborn sons.
"No one is to appear before me empty-handed.
21 "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.
22 "Celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. [b] 23 Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel. 24 I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the LORD your God.
25 "Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me along with anything containing yeast, and do not let any of the sacrifice from the Passover Feast remain until morning.
26 "Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.
"Do not cook a young goat in its mother's milk."
So here are these interesting commandments of the Lord. Yes, in the greater work of the Bible as we know it; but the only ten in this "hidden" book. These commandments are what were carried in the ark of the covenant. My personal favorite is the young goat in its mother's milk. I really think that is kosher law, but I might be wrong.
I plan on finishing this "hidden" book today, as it isn't much to accomplish with a sick child (even though the sun is shinning and the temperature is warm).
I believe that I am a very open person. I keep an open heart and mind to interpretations of books, especially the Bible. Everyone thinks he/she has the right interpretation, and that is no different that Friedman's attempt at the investigation behind "The Hidden Book in the Bible." I, on the other hand, do not believe that there was one person that wrote the "hidden" story. It could have been a couple people compiling other works, but it seems rather bizarre to think that stories like the flood and creation were written down originally. This is all considering that these stories have been found in other cultures from thousands of years before common era. It's a cool idea, but artistic drama created for the sell of a contemporary book.
And thus my thoughts are finished.
Friday, March 12, 2010
righteous or unrighteous
Last Sunday my church's Bible study spoke about the Beatitude:
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
We debated what exactly was a righteous person (i.e. a person without sin, according to the Webster's Dictionary). Does the Bible give examples? At that point we didn't think so.
However, today during my Bonnie Bible Study the word "righteous" came up again. In Acts 24:15 Paul states, "and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." So I asked Bonnie what was a righteous person. Are there really people without sin? I was wondering how she would answer this, considering they believe that everyone is born with sin (original sin from Adam and Eve). She directed me to Hebrews 11. We read through the names, names of people in the Bible to whom I am very familiar. People that worshiped Jehovah God and his rules and principles. In "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" it is written, "God's purpose is that the whole earth be made into a paradise. So the dead will not be raised to life in a world filled with war, crime, and sickness. They will have an opportunity to live forever on this earth in peaceful and happy conditions." Therefore, God will give everyone - righteous or unrighteous - the opportunity for this "forever" life on a paradise earth.
I thought the 11th chapter of Hebrews to be really cool. I am ending this blog entry with it.
HEBREWS
Chapter 11
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
We debated what exactly was a righteous person (i.e. a person without sin, according to the Webster's Dictionary). Does the Bible give examples? At that point we didn't think so.
However, today during my Bonnie Bible Study the word "righteous" came up again. In Acts 24:15 Paul states, "and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." So I asked Bonnie what was a righteous person. Are there really people without sin? I was wondering how she would answer this, considering they believe that everyone is born with sin (original sin from Adam and Eve). She directed me to Hebrews 11. We read through the names, names of people in the Bible to whom I am very familiar. People that worshiped Jehovah God and his rules and principles. In "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" it is written, "God's purpose is that the whole earth be made into a paradise. So the dead will not be raised to life in a world filled with war, crime, and sickness. They will have an opportunity to live forever on this earth in peaceful and happy conditions." Therefore, God will give everyone - righteous or unrighteous - the opportunity for this "forever" life on a paradise earth.
I thought the 11th chapter of Hebrews to be really cool. I am ending this blog entry with it.
HEBREWS
Chapter 11
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Friday, March 5, 2010
wisdom in the lord
PROVERBS 3: 1-7
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
We should not lean on our own understanding...what exactly does that mean?
I interpret the above verse with an open heart and mind. I know that I am not "all knowing" like our God, but am I truly "poor in spirit" as the first Beatitude states?
I must admit, I do like to have control over things in my life. I am not as big of a "control freak" as I used to be, yet I still have a very difficult time lifting it up to Jesus. Lifting worries, anxieties, and fears up to our Lord and his son seems like it would be an easy thing to accomplish; but I still find myself internalizing concerns and actions rather than allowing things to just happen.
A few weeks back, I was humbled at the first Beatitude and what Jesus could have meant. He didn't mean the financially poor, but rather those that are not arrogant or prideful in their spirit. All these years I thought Jesus was suggesting that the poor had a place in His Kingdom. However, he meant the poor in "spirit"; the spirit that we tend to attribute to winning baseball games. Jesus said, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand." We then need to have the ability to confess our sins to God - to admit we are bankrupt in the spirit.
We must confess we don't know everything...is that difficult? YES! I truly believe this can be horribly traumatic for many. I know personally I used to believe that Christians, true Christians, were simply sheep - following along, not questioning or deviating from the path. But a lot of intelligence and control is needed to stop trying to "understand" everything God does; and just know that the Kingdom is there for those that recognize they are poor in spirit...sinners.
It's interesting that the closer I draw to God the further I am away from reaching the goal of obtaining the Kingdom. I do wonder how many "interpretations" and "understandings" are pulling us away from the truths of God - from what is real. I know I may never truly understand WHY I am here, or WHY things are the way they are; however, I know that I will continue to strive towards poverty of spirit. Without that, none of the other Beatitudes are possible.
Friday, February 19, 2010
lies my pastor told me
The more I study the Bible, the more I realize what I don't know. Honestly, I think there could be a myriad of scripture interpretations; none of which are wrong. Or are they?
What is real? What is man-made? Is the Bible truly the word of God? I continue to be reminded of the infallible tendencies of man. Did the midrash stories of the Tanakh (Old Testament for Christians out there) correctly describe Jehovah God? Did those stories come directly from history, or were they a way to explain things? Cultures need to have explanations, and the books of the Tanakh definitely set the scene for the savior Jesus Christ to come and save the world from the sin started in the Garden of Eden.
The Witnesses describe the laws in the Hebrew scriptures as tutorial. Bonnie said that the people in Moses's day needed laws; as they didn't even know how to prepare meat or use proper hygiene. And I can't help but agree. Upon reading Leviticus and Numbers, one is convinced the people of Israel are a people that need rules. The Witnesses also believe that once Christ came, the "Mosaic laws" were no longer applicable. In fact, the laws were a covenant with the Israel nation, not the rest of the world. Galatians 3:24-25 states:
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Through the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ we no longer need the laws. That doesn't mean as a follower of Christ we can ignore the principles of the laws (i.e. killing each other); however, I believe that Jesus covers the Ten Commandments when he says (John 13:34-35):
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
If we truly love one another - ALL others - we won't kill, steal, bare false witness or covet. We will honor our families, and God. Of course this all points to the Sabbath Day. Is the Sabbath Day a "rule" no longer needed to be followed?
In the February Watchtower, this exact question is debated. The article really brings up a great point: every day should be spent with the Lord. It makes me think of the term "Sunday Christians" or an even funnier term "Christmas and Easter Christians (i.e. C&E)." As a Christian, one cannot expect to go to church, repent and then leave their worship behind. The rest of the week is a rat-race; spent working, too busy for God. But Sunday...there He is again. There are so many people that live like this. But the Sabbath isn't necessary (for those that believe if they are sinning if they don't go to church); however, I believe worship is. Romans 14:5 states:
One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
Upon further reading, I may have found a passage in Galatians that the Witnesses could use to abhor holidays and birthdays. From Galatians 4:9-11
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
Honestly though, I think another interpretation could be stated at this point. I believe that Paul was speaking to the Galatians regarding their holidays and seasons celebrating other gods. Of course this brings me back to the beginning of this post.
What is the "true" interpretation of the Bible? Who has the answers? And if all are sinners, aren't we putting our faith in a sinner determining the true meaning?
In the Garden of Eden, Satan told Eve "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Eve did not die immediately after eating the fruit, but she did die. Dying was the punishment for disobeying God. Who was the clever manipulator? Satan. The Witnesses believe Satan is still at work; influencing what we believe. Using his power to have incorrect information infiltrating our world. Just like the lies told regarding death, heaven, and how to live a "righteous" life.
Of course the Witnesses are still humans, and therefore are sinners. They interpret the Bible scriptures, albeit differently than other Christian faiths. However, I can't help but wonder if they are listening to lies their elders are telling them....?
What is real? What is man-made? Is the Bible truly the word of God? I continue to be reminded of the infallible tendencies of man. Did the midrash stories of the Tanakh (Old Testament for Christians out there) correctly describe Jehovah God? Did those stories come directly from history, or were they a way to explain things? Cultures need to have explanations, and the books of the Tanakh definitely set the scene for the savior Jesus Christ to come and save the world from the sin started in the Garden of Eden.
The Witnesses describe the laws in the Hebrew scriptures as tutorial. Bonnie said that the people in Moses's day needed laws; as they didn't even know how to prepare meat or use proper hygiene. And I can't help but agree. Upon reading Leviticus and Numbers, one is convinced the people of Israel are a people that need rules. The Witnesses also believe that once Christ came, the "Mosaic laws" were no longer applicable. In fact, the laws were a covenant with the Israel nation, not the rest of the world. Galatians 3:24-25 states:
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Through the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ we no longer need the laws. That doesn't mean as a follower of Christ we can ignore the principles of the laws (i.e. killing each other); however, I believe that Jesus covers the Ten Commandments when he says (John 13:34-35):
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
If we truly love one another - ALL others - we won't kill, steal, bare false witness or covet. We will honor our families, and God. Of course this all points to the Sabbath Day. Is the Sabbath Day a "rule" no longer needed to be followed?
In the February Watchtower, this exact question is debated. The article really brings up a great point: every day should be spent with the Lord. It makes me think of the term "Sunday Christians" or an even funnier term "Christmas and Easter Christians (i.e. C&E)." As a Christian, one cannot expect to go to church, repent and then leave their worship behind. The rest of the week is a rat-race; spent working, too busy for God. But Sunday...there He is again. There are so many people that live like this. But the Sabbath isn't necessary (for those that believe if they are sinning if they don't go to church); however, I believe worship is. Romans 14:5 states:
One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
Upon further reading, I may have found a passage in Galatians that the Witnesses could use to abhor holidays and birthdays. From Galatians 4:9-11
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
Honestly though, I think another interpretation could be stated at this point. I believe that Paul was speaking to the Galatians regarding their holidays and seasons celebrating other gods. Of course this brings me back to the beginning of this post.
What is the "true" interpretation of the Bible? Who has the answers? And if all are sinners, aren't we putting our faith in a sinner determining the true meaning?
In the Garden of Eden, Satan told Eve "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Eve did not die immediately after eating the fruit, but she did die. Dying was the punishment for disobeying God. Who was the clever manipulator? Satan. The Witnesses believe Satan is still at work; influencing what we believe. Using his power to have incorrect information infiltrating our world. Just like the lies told regarding death, heaven, and how to live a "righteous" life.
Of course the Witnesses are still humans, and therefore are sinners. They interpret the Bible scriptures, albeit differently than other Christian faiths. However, I can't help but wonder if they are listening to lies their elders are telling them....?
Friday, February 5, 2010
life force, spirit, energy...where does it go?
Bonnie visited today, and as always our conversation was fantastic.
However, for the first time I am not "on board" with the Jehovah Witness belief system. I can't synchronize my brain (logic) with my heart (emotion) on the subject of death.
As I have noted before, the Witnesses believe that when you die you go into a sleep like state. No memories, no "hanging around", no going to heaven (unless you are one of the 144,000 people), etc. However, their description of why they believe this is troubling to me.
I have grown up with the ability to search out a variety of faiths, which has probably resulted in my "unsettling" views of death and afterlife. Recently I determined that I believed each one of us gets the breath of life (i.e. energy) from our creator (i.e. Jehovah God, Yahweh, etc.). Upon death the energy is returned to the greater universal energy source. That energy is our essence. We are all separate, but part of the greater energy source (i.e. God).
However, the Witnesses believe that one's DNA is where the unique personal traits stem. Upon death the electricity (energy) is returned to Jehovah, but this energy isn't "us"...just energy to make us work. During the 1000 year reign, all those that have died since Jesus's resurrection will be brought back to an almost perfect existence. Jehovah will do this because he remembers everything about us, through our individual DNA. Our memories will only be good ones, no negative ones. We will be healthy and wise. After the 1000 year reign, and after we are judged we will have perfect bodies.
I asked Bonnie what her take is on my penny encounters. See I often receive pennies when I am needing an answer, or I am lonely in thought. I grew up with a grandma that would stress the need to pick up a penny when you found one lying there. And the crazy part is the dates on the pennies. I found one with the date: 1949 (my mom's birthday), one with the date 1976 (my sister's birthday), and then I asked grandma to send me one with my birthday. So a few days later while doing laundry I found one with the date: 1975. Bonnie said it was coincidence. It was my emotions WANTING to believe grandma left the pennies.
Coincidence? Or faith. Isn't faith based on coincidence, objective ideas, and speculation? I don't know what to think. But I don't completely think that the dates and the occasions I find the pennies to be random. Ask Jim and I'm sure he'd say they were random acts.
According to the Witnesses, the Bible states that death is the enemy of Jehovah. He intended us to live forever, on earth. Witnesses encourage one to look at 1 Corinthians 15:26 to get the scripture on that idea, "The last enemy to be destroyed is death."
However, I was surprised to find that above this scripture are ones that would support people are resurrected and go to heaven. In 1 Corinthians: 12-19 the Bible states:
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
However, at no point does it say that those resurrected would go to heaven. The statement, "fallen asleep" is used to describe death in these scriptures. In fact, the idea of falling asleep is throughout the Bible. These scriptures could also support the idea of a mass resurrection, like that of the "rapture" many Christians speak of.
I suppose maybe my emotions have been tainted with ideas from Satan, if Satan is truly a force to be reckoned with. My beliefs of dying have nothing to do with Satan. Of course from a Witness standpoint he is the whole reason death even exists. If you believe the Bible literally, they are correct. He manipulated Eve (and then Adam) into taking the forbidden fruit.
I much rather think the verses from Ecclesiastes are more to the truth about our journey in life.
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
However, for the first time I am not "on board" with the Jehovah Witness belief system. I can't synchronize my brain (logic) with my heart (emotion) on the subject of death.
As I have noted before, the Witnesses believe that when you die you go into a sleep like state. No memories, no "hanging around", no going to heaven (unless you are one of the 144,000 people), etc. However, their description of why they believe this is troubling to me.
I have grown up with the ability to search out a variety of faiths, which has probably resulted in my "unsettling" views of death and afterlife. Recently I determined that I believed each one of us gets the breath of life (i.e. energy) from our creator (i.e. Jehovah God, Yahweh, etc.). Upon death the energy is returned to the greater universal energy source. That energy is our essence. We are all separate, but part of the greater energy source (i.e. God).
However, the Witnesses believe that one's DNA is where the unique personal traits stem. Upon death the electricity (energy) is returned to Jehovah, but this energy isn't "us"...just energy to make us work. During the 1000 year reign, all those that have died since Jesus's resurrection will be brought back to an almost perfect existence. Jehovah will do this because he remembers everything about us, through our individual DNA. Our memories will only be good ones, no negative ones. We will be healthy and wise. After the 1000 year reign, and after we are judged we will have perfect bodies.
I asked Bonnie what her take is on my penny encounters. See I often receive pennies when I am needing an answer, or I am lonely in thought. I grew up with a grandma that would stress the need to pick up a penny when you found one lying there. And the crazy part is the dates on the pennies. I found one with the date: 1949 (my mom's birthday), one with the date 1976 (my sister's birthday), and then I asked grandma to send me one with my birthday. So a few days later while doing laundry I found one with the date: 1975. Bonnie said it was coincidence. It was my emotions WANTING to believe grandma left the pennies.
Coincidence? Or faith. Isn't faith based on coincidence, objective ideas, and speculation? I don't know what to think. But I don't completely think that the dates and the occasions I find the pennies to be random. Ask Jim and I'm sure he'd say they were random acts.
According to the Witnesses, the Bible states that death is the enemy of Jehovah. He intended us to live forever, on earth. Witnesses encourage one to look at 1 Corinthians 15:26 to get the scripture on that idea, "The last enemy to be destroyed is death."
However, I was surprised to find that above this scripture are ones that would support people are resurrected and go to heaven. In 1 Corinthians: 12-19 the Bible states:
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
However, at no point does it say that those resurrected would go to heaven. The statement, "fallen asleep" is used to describe death in these scriptures. In fact, the idea of falling asleep is throughout the Bible. These scriptures could also support the idea of a mass resurrection, like that of the "rapture" many Christians speak of.
I suppose maybe my emotions have been tainted with ideas from Satan, if Satan is truly a force to be reckoned with. My beliefs of dying have nothing to do with Satan. Of course from a Witness standpoint he is the whole reason death even exists. If you believe the Bible literally, they are correct. He manipulated Eve (and then Adam) into taking the forbidden fruit.
I much rather think the verses from Ecclesiastes are more to the truth about our journey in life.
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
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