Clouds XVI

These are from yesterday afternoon. 

These remind me of the big fluffy clouds that I was noticing one day shortly after I was saved.

Somewhat dark and menacing, but somehow reassuring and comforting...

Knowing that once dead, I was now alive. God's wrath no longer abides on me!

Daniel  7:13-14    I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.     And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.

MARANATHA!

Sunshine:)

 A beautiful spring sunrise...something we haven't seen around here much this month..the sun.

I woke last night to a lot of noise. I figured it was the littlest fussing, but then realized it was the wind.

Thankfully it didn't do more damage that this:

That poor tree. It has seen better days.

I know many many people had it much worse, though.

They are predicting more rain today, so I will enjoy it whilst it lasts.

Job 37:11-12  Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

Romans Study XXXV- Hamburger and Salad Guys, the Rest of the Chapter

 Finishing up Romans 14:

 ¹³Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

If invited to go out to dinner with Salad Guy, Hamburger Guy would show his charitableness by passing by the double-whopper and going for some lighter fare.

 ¹⁴I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

 Hamburger guy knows that there is nothing unclean about his desired meal. Salad guy is not so sure.
 So, since it may grieve Salad guy and perhaps cause him to judge or act contrary to his conscience, Hamburger guy takes this into consideration:

 ¹⁵But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

 ¹⁶Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Don't give anyone the opportunity, if possible, to be concerned about what you deem a thing to give thanks for.

 ¹⁷For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

The kingdom of God (not the earthly kingdom...which is to come) but the spiritual kingdom of believers is not about physical things but enjoying peace and our new life in the Spirit.

 ¹⁸For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

 ¹⁹Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Be at peace with your brothers and sisters in the Lord and don't do the things that you know may cause contention. 

 ²⁰For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

All things (food and drink-wise) are now allowable, but if Salad guy goes against his conscience and eats the burger feeling that it is wrong to do so, then he has caused himself a crisis of conscience, which Paul considers a sin. 

 ²¹It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

 ²²Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

 ²³And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

source

In conclusion, Hamburger guy can enjoy his meat and possibly a glass of bubbly at home and give thanks to God for this meal. He doesn't have to convince Salad guy that it is okay or belittle his "weakness". For the sake of his brother, he will sacrifice his desires when the situation arises.

Salad guy can gives thanks for his abstaining of meat and give thanks for his meal, too. He mustn't be persnickety if he drops by Hamburger guy's house unexpectedly and sees the ground round in the fridge, though.

Happy Firstfruits!

Or Resurrection Sunday or Easter or whatever you call it:)

We discovered last year that the day that Jesus rose was actually the feast day that Israel celebrated every year during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Leviticus 23

 5In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's passover.

 6And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

 7In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

 8But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

 9And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

 10Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

 11And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. 

1 Corinthains 15
 20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

He is risen...hallelujah!

Have a blessed day.

The Case for Yearly Communion

Communion is right up there with baptism in puzzlements of Christian ordinances.

I'm working through these issues.

I've got some of religious baggage.

While being a Roman Catholic we took the Eucharist weekly, but the church did encourage the partaking as often as possible (as much as every day) attaching mystical properties to the elements themselves.

In the church we attend now, it is done monthly. What a transition it was going from the Catholic church where the communion was a huge sacramental ceremony to the church we go to now where the communion service is celebrated in a more family- like manner with different elders praying over the cup and the bread. I like it.

But what is it really all about?

Jim McClarty's teaching here makes just about as much sense as anything I had heard before.

Communion, The Lord's Supper, is essentially Passover with the focus placed on the New Covenant rather than the flight from Egypt.

Here is an excerpt:

With that in mind, look at Jesus' words
-"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."




No longer were they to take that memorial bread as a means of remembering God's deliverance from the death angel or from Egypt. Christ was the new focus of the memorial. They were to remember Him. The lamb, the bread and the wine that had always meant one thing to them now meant something else. They were to continue the action, but change its meaning.


And, Paul's words are just as specific -


"This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come."


It's not just any old cup; it's this cup. It's not just any old bread; it's this bread. And, when you eat that specific bread and drink that specific cup, you do it not to remember the deliverance from Egypt, but now you do it in remembrance of Christ. Same action - new focus. Same memorial - new object.

I recommend taking time to read the entire article and browse about on Jim's site for more good stuff.

Friday Fragments

Some random things in a random post:)

Truthergirl Sonya questions the radiation reports:

"When it comes from Japan, it gives you thyroid cancer, but when it comes from a hospital, it will somehow cure thyroid cancer." 

She thinks she may have failed "doublethink" back in high school:)We've been through this before like she says....swine flu, gulf oil, now this.



Secondly, last Sunday at church Arnold Fruchtenbaum  (I was so excited...I'm such a geek :P) gave a Passover Seder demonstration. It was really awesome to see how Jesus was showing how HE was the fulfillment of Passover. I wish I had some video or at least audio to share with you....but I don't. Our church's mp3 archive is a couple of months behind for some reason.  I'm still going through the Life of Messiah series...slowly. I kinda got sidetracked with other things that I found.  (so far really interesting) So much info!



My kids with help of the neighbor kid brought this home last night from the creek....He (the neighbor) said he's taking it back...I hope so.

Helloooooooo

Finally, more study tools. We have watched Les Feldick for years, and I just found that his lessons are being put on youtube. If you have never heard of him, check it out:

Bonus:
Was Paul the WORST of sinners?

Romans Study XXXIV- Hamburger and Salad Gents Continued

Continuing in Romans 14:

 ⁷For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

 ⁸For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

We belong to Jesus and have to answer to Him not anybody else.

 ⁹For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

 That seems like an odd thing to put here. Christ died, rose, and revived 

Strong's G326
anazaō

1) live again, recover life

a) to be restored to a correct life

1) of one who returns to a better moral state

b) to revive, regain strength and vigour

He died, rose and revived, lived again, restored to a correct life...in an immortal physical body. Paul says more about that elsewhere, too.  But I wonder what that has to do with this train of thought.

 ¹⁰But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

 Why do we judge and set at nought (which means look down on) each other. Salad guy turns up his nose at Hamburger guy's carnivorous ways and Hamburger guy thinks Salad guy may think himself a little holier-than-thou.

 ¹¹For it is written (here), 

 ¹²So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

We will all answer to the Son of God personally....a very terrifying thought. So we needn't be bickering amongst ourselves as we will be all be at the Bema Seat. 

Inspiration. Just When...

I needed it.

Spiritual Warfare is tough to pin down. It can manifest in many ways, and is certainly unique to each one of us. 

We all have weaknesses, chinks in our armor where the enemy knows just where to hit or at the very least a place for the flesh to ooze through.

So I've been battling, it happens.

Worry, stress, regret, indecision, fear... you know the drill.

Then a friend writes me (coincidentally..wink wink, nudge nudge) and gives me these pearls:

Stress is so opposite of the Peace of God. It affects our whole system:
body-mind-soul. And is so opposite of everything we're taught.  (which reminds me of Philippians 4:6-7)

 
How easy is it for us to give into stress! I find that the spirit that overtakes me when I'm stressed is not the fruit of the Spirit.

Don't buy into the problem...
just turn and SEEK GOD. (that kind of sounds like Matthew 6:25-34)

Oh me of little faith!

WHATEVER it is, we don't fight it in our own strength, or from the level of the fallen world....as if we were a part of it...a captive of it. NO!
We've been given a BETTER WAY.
We seek the fullness of God, an intimate relationship with Him, and He does the thing. "Unless God does the thing, we labor in vain."
We have the 'easy part', if we just seek and yield, seek and yield. (We should be Mary and not Martha)

And my favorite:

We so often still live life backwards. We think, when this problem's over..
I'll have peace.

Now THAT is what I do. Anyone else?

When this- or that- or he does this- or she stops doing that- or when I can fix or change or whatever, THEN I'll be happy.

NO!  It is a trap. Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all will be added.


We live in the now and that is all we can see.

He knows the end from the beginning.

I am thankful for the life I have and the people I know who help to edify me, I hope that the Lord will also use me to encourage others as well.

Ephesians 4:15-16  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Sermon Sunday - Rightly Dividing Or...

...what should we have for breakfast?

This is an oldie but goodie.

Some of you have already seen these (Susan;)). I had them posted on our old forum, but that is lost in the nothingness of deleted domain cyberland, so I wanted to re-post them somewhere.

I really like Pastor Jordan's teachings, although I don't agree with him on every point. But I do think he takes the scripture seriously.

He can be rather funny, too:)

Don't let the four videos scare you. They are only about 5 minutes each.

Saturday Mix

The sky Friday afternoon, I thought there would be storms, but just wind...I wish I could get a picture of the wind.

My friend Susan who was computer-less for several days, is back with this. There is much wisdom there that we have to trust in Christ no...matter...what.  She posts a video with Gerald Celente.  Here is another one and some of the language is a bit off-color, but it is very powerful:

( ht ETRT) *The views expressed by Mr. Celente are not necessarily the views of this blogger;)


Next, speaking of inflation, I went to Goodwill a couple of weeks ago, and they have even raised their prices.  The blouses that were $1.99 last time I went (in December) were up to $4.29! Hmm, I could do better at the Mega-Lo Mart, but I won't. I'd rather garage sale or learn to sew first. Or, I guess I will just go on their half-price days, which I suspect is what is behind the price increase.


Last, some verses to ponder:

Acts 3:19-21
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:     Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Romans 16:25-26:
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, [be] glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Romans Study XXXIII - Freedom of Conscience or Hamburger Guy and Salad Guy

Romans 14

The Mr. used an illustration for the kids when trying to explain Christian liberty in this chapter: "hamburger guy and salad guy."

 

¹Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

 ²For one believeth that he may eat all things: (hamburger guy)

another, who is weak, eateth herbs.(salad guy)

 ³Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 

Hamburger guy shouldn't be all exasperated with salad guy for his perceived legalism and salad guy shouldn't judge hamburger guy for what he deems to be appropriate eatin'.

 ⁴Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

It's none of my beeswax what another man eats (or drinks, or listens to, or watches on television, or reads). It is to God alone that a brother or sister must answer. The Holy Spirit will convict each of us in the areas into which we need convicting.

 ⁵One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Salad guy may set aside a day of the week for special observation while hamburger guy may worship the Lord in spirit and in truth and see every day as consecrated.

 ⁶He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.

Salad guy gives God thanks for the special day and hamburger guy gives God thanks for not deeming the day as necessarily special but rejoices equally in every day.

He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Hamburger guy enjoys his burger and gives God thanks, while salad guy abstains from meat and gives God thanks.

Is This Stinging Nettle?

There are stingy thingys on the underside of the leaves and on the stems but you can't see them here.

Seriously.

Does anyone know?

At this point after referring to the internets I am 99% sure, but wondered if there are any plant experts lurking about.

I noticed it in my motherwort patch last fall and let it go ahead and seed to see if it would come back and spread, and it seems it has.

Stinging nettle is very high in vitamins and iron. My obsession with herbal teas started back when I was pregnant with my fifth child. We had decided to forgo the hospital birth and try a homebirth with midwives.

Don't get me started on tea unless you want this:

The midwives took such a different approach to prenatal care than what I had experienced in the medical realm. They suggested a pregnancy tea. It had mostly red raspberry leaves, but did included stinging nettles. If this is what I've got here I'll be all like this:

Here is Susan Weed talking about the calcium in stinging nettles.

Sermon Sunday - Sovereign Grace + Premillennialism = :)

I've been wanting to hear this one for a while and just saw the link over at Definding. Contending. a couple of days ago.

Why Every Calvinist Should Be a Premillennialist by John MacArthur.

There are some interesting and somewhat heated comments under the post over there.


I have absolutely no reservations myself that MacArthur is scripturally backed on this one.  He says in one part that if you get Israel right, you get eschatology right and I agree.

A great sermon for the premillennial and the skeptic alike.

This and That Friday

Here are some interesting bits and pieces from around the web:

The first three stories I found at the watcher meetup here, here and here.

First off, an eight year old boy gets pepper sprayed at school. Check out the interview on Good Morning America here, as I am unable to embed this one. 



Next, What is this on Glenn Beck's sweater?



Maps of submerged America from Steve Quayle's site
here and here. 


Scott Johnson's current events and weekly Bible Study this week focuses on the hype about Comet Elenin, Planet X, pole shifts, etc. part one  part two.


Truthergirl Sonya talks about tooth re-mineralization. I just happen to be experimenting with this myself at the moment, so this is really cool to find I'm not the only one. (I didn't embed this one due to some slight potty-mouth at the very very end of the video).


Finally gold and silver are hitting new highs....as the dollar tanks.

Romans Study XXXII - Being Good Citizens and Children of the Light

^{Continuing in Romans 13:}

⁵Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

We should obey the law not only not to get into trouble, but to have a clear conscience.

 ⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Did Paul just tell us to pay taxes?

 ⁷Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Pay our taxes and respect the public officials. 

 ⁸Owe no man any thing,

I immediately think of debt here.

Debt is a very ugly horrible thing.... I know.

Our whole national system seems to be based on, "I'll pay for that later."

That does not work, it will not work and we are in big trouble.

but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

 ⁹For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 ¹⁰Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 

Just like our Lord said:

John 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

 ¹¹And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

The armor of light makes me think of the armor of God that is spoken of elsewhere.

 ¹³Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

 I love that word: chambering.

Paul says the same things here:

1Thessalonians 5:5:    Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

 ¹⁴But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

 Don't live in your own flesh, but only in Christ.

Easier said than done..right?

Nowhere to Run Podcast- Who is that Woman?

On Chris White's latest podcasts he talks about a theory that is new to him concerning the identity of  the woman who rides the beast.

I really don't have a set opinion about this.  He does do a good job of making his case. 

You can listen or download here:

Part 1    Part 2


He also has released a new video arguing his prewrath rapture position. I am very anxious to get to it, but haven't yet.

If any of you get a chance to view this before I do, please give me a review.

Life of the Messiah Notes- The Unpardonable Sin

I'm still working my way through the Life of Messiah series.

This one is probably my favorite.

Having heard many many explanations of what the unpardonable sin is, I have to say that this one really makes the most sense.

Here's how Arnold Fruchtenbaum defines it:

The national rejection by Israel of the Messiah-ship of Yeshua while He was present here on Earth on the basis of being demon possessed.

He goes on to explain this as it relates to the context of the passage and how this sin is not unforgivable in a personal salvation way, but in a national punishment way.

He then sites examples of such a thing is Israel's past including the refusal of Israel to enter into the promised land and the Babylonian captivity.
 
It makes a great deal of sense when one notices how much Jesus uses the phrase "this generation" after this happens.

He explains that it is at this point that Jesus begins speaking in parables.

The parable of the leaven

The two reasons He does so is to keep the unbelieving portion of Israel blinded and to introduce the mystery kingdom (the church) to his disciples.

This particular session helped to clear up many things for me.

Even if you aren't interested in the entire series I highly highly recommend making time for this one.  

You can listen or download it here.