Oh my!!
I was listening to KGO radio and Karel was going off about someone grabbing Obama's prayer off the Western Wall.
What? Someone violated his private prayer? Written on a piece of paper and pushed into the cracks in the Wall, like many, many prayers every day. Yet someone thought it was OK to grab it and then Israel's newspaper and CNN PUBLISHED it?? (From Wikipedia: In July, 2008 United States Presidential candidate Barack Obama, on a visit to Europe and the Middle East, placed a written prayer in the wall, which was later taken by a seminary student and published in the newspaper Maariv.)
Please tell me, someone, why the man can't even PRAY without someone disrespecting him?
Oh my Lord, what have we come to?
I can tell you this, whoever grabbed that paper, whoever sold it to the newspaper and CNN, they will answer to the Lord Himself for this one. And you know, it really doesn't matter if he is an atheist or a Christian, or a Muslim or a Jew. Doesn't matter, the Lord will handle this business.
I'm going to do my best to NOT view that prayer. That was between Obama and God and, to be blunt, it's none of my business.
It's obvious that whoever violated Obama's prayer has forgotten this:
Matthew 6:5-24 TNIV
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Obama prayed according to Jewish tradition, wrote his prayer in private and placed it on the Wall, trusting that it would stay private. He respected the traditions of Israel. He trusted the elder Brothers, the chosen people of God to respect his prayer.
Too bad he wasn't Blessed with that same respect by that student.
Hypocrite. And hypocrites. And more hypocrites.
If I had any doubt that the media is directly influenced by the evil one, it's gone now. I am becoming more and more aware that the world is a darkening place, where the bright light of Jesus stands as a beacon for the lost.
God is not willing that any should be lost.
But the world is sucking our peoples in like an evil pool of quicksand. A seminary student, of all people, to violate the privacy of prayer?
Oh my Lord, I pray that Obama is able to forgive him for this betrayal.
And I pray for the student, Lord, that he may be forgiven for desecrating the Western Wall. Or perhaps in Jesus' own words: "Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do."
They know not what they do.
But they ought to.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Wall
http://english.thekotel.org/content.asp?id=212
Saturday, July 26, 2008
I'm So Excited!
The oldest copy of the New Testament in the world is online now. http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en/
Yes, I know, we can't access it all yet.
And it's not in English yet.
But I'm still really excited about this.
I already know that it is not precisely like the current versions of the Bible. I am not worried about that. I am not looking to pick apart the versions, I'm looking to expand my relationship with the Word.
Theologians can argue about the details.
I just want to immerse myself in the Bible that is the closest to the times that Jesus walked this earth. The Spirit will lead me in understanding what I read. At least, as much understanding that I, in my limited capacity as a human, can understand.
There is a Reason why, in these troubled times, this Bible is becoming available online.
I am looking forward to translations, so I can immerse myself in the Word.
(Actually, when I looked online, it appears that someone has translated it. http://www.sinaiticus.com/. No matter, I want to see the original text.)
Links:
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/07/24/online-codex-sinaiticus.html
http://www.sinaiticus.com/
http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en/
Yes, I know, we can't access it all yet.
And it's not in English yet.
But I'm still really excited about this.
I already know that it is not precisely like the current versions of the Bible. I am not worried about that. I am not looking to pick apart the versions, I'm looking to expand my relationship with the Word.
Theologians can argue about the details.
I just want to immerse myself in the Bible that is the closest to the times that Jesus walked this earth. The Spirit will lead me in understanding what I read. At least, as much understanding that I, in my limited capacity as a human, can understand.
There is a Reason why, in these troubled times, this Bible is becoming available online.
I am looking forward to translations, so I can immerse myself in the Word.
(Actually, when I looked online, it appears that someone has translated it. http://www.sinaiticus.com/. No matter, I want to see the original text.)
Links:
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/07/24/online-codex-sinaiticus.html
http://www.sinaiticus.com/
http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en/
Friday, July 25, 2008
What Is Done In Secret
Matthew 6:1-24 TNIV
1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
I have noticed more and more, how people like to stand up on their soapboxes. "I did this" and "I did that".
Hello?
Did we miss something here? Unclear on the concept?
When you stand up on your soapbox and flaunt what you've done to help others, that's all you're going to get out of it. Yes, people will oooh and aaah over you. But that's it. That's all you get -- your own worldly self satisfaction.
I don't think I want somebody I don't even know admiring me for an act of charity. Especially something that the Lord has mandated me to do. So whose opinion is most important?
Not somebody down the block.
Not somebody around the corner.
Not somebody on the Internet.
Not somebody at church.
Only the Lord is important. He sees me as I am, inside and out. Good and bad.
In fact, He sees me in a way that I don't see myself. A better way than I think I am.
I am all too aware that I still sin.
But He sees me, all of me, and He thinks I'm worthy to be Saved.
Let me be worthy of His trust in me. And let me trust Him through all the days of my life.
That includes remembering that I'm not supposed to jump up and down, boasting about what little I can do in this world to help others. Let me just help them, like Jesus wants me to. It doesn't matter if anyone else knows what I've done.
HE knows.
What is done in secret receives its own reward, whether the act was good or evil.
It's up to me to make sure it's good.
He knows.
1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
I have noticed more and more, how people like to stand up on their soapboxes. "I did this" and "I did that".
Hello?
Did we miss something here? Unclear on the concept?
When you stand up on your soapbox and flaunt what you've done to help others, that's all you're going to get out of it. Yes, people will oooh and aaah over you. But that's it. That's all you get -- your own worldly self satisfaction.
I don't think I want somebody I don't even know admiring me for an act of charity. Especially something that the Lord has mandated me to do. So whose opinion is most important?
Not somebody down the block.
Not somebody around the corner.
Not somebody on the Internet.
Not somebody at church.
Only the Lord is important. He sees me as I am, inside and out. Good and bad.
In fact, He sees me in a way that I don't see myself. A better way than I think I am.
I am all too aware that I still sin.
But He sees me, all of me, and He thinks I'm worthy to be Saved.
Let me be worthy of His trust in me. And let me trust Him through all the days of my life.
That includes remembering that I'm not supposed to jump up and down, boasting about what little I can do in this world to help others. Let me just help them, like Jesus wants me to. It doesn't matter if anyone else knows what I've done.
HE knows.
What is done in secret receives its own reward, whether the act was good or evil.
It's up to me to make sure it's good.
He knows.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The Silver Rule
I'm pretty sure we all know about the Golden Rule:
Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.
I'm not so sure people know about the Silver Rule:
Don't let anybody do anything to you that you wouldn't do to them.
I know, you're saying, "Huh?"
No, it doesn't exactly say that in the Bible.
But listen to me, just because you're a Christian doesn't mean that you have to be a sucker.
There are a lot of false prophets out there. There are a lot of scammers trying to take advantage of your good heart and good intentions. The Bible warns us against fakes and frauds.
If you would never take advantage of someone's belief system, then don't let anyone take advantage of yours. If someone starts telling you what you need to do or give them so Jesus will help you, STOP!
Jesus doesn't need a middleman. Remember, you have a direct line to the Spirit. You don't need to be brokered into a deal with the Lord, you can ask Him yourself!
God is watching over us all, and you need to take these "if it sounds too good to be true" deals straight to Him. Take it to the Word.
If the preacher promises you a tenfold increase tomorrow if you just give him a thousand dollars today, RUN! That's not the Bible, that's the world tempting you to do wrong.
If the Lord wants you to give the man (or woman) $1000, the Spirit will speak to you. You'll know what you need to do. It will be clear.
You don't have to be pressured by a fast talking sales pitch from someone pretending to speak for the Lord.
Don't let anyone do anything to you that you wouldn't do to them.
If you have a question, take it straight to the Word.
If you have a doubt, take it straight to the Word.
If you have needs, take them straight to the Word.
You don't need a middleman.
Jesus is here for you, right now, every day, everywhere. All you have to do is speak His name, sit down, have a nice talk with Him about what's going on.
Yeah, I know, you're telling yourself, "But He didn't give me a clear answer about that donation the preacher was demanding."
Let me ask you, did you become more and more uncomfortable about it? The more you thought about it, the worse you felt?
That was your answer.
The Spirit speaks in a quiet voice.
Satan shouts. Shouts and carries on and demands.
The Spirit doesn't have to shout.
Don't let anyone do anything to you that you wouldn't do to them.
Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you have to fall for every con artist that comes down the road.
Oh, and just because you met him/her at church, doesn't mean that their intentions are Godly.
Don't let anyone do anything to you that you wouldn't do to them.
The Golden Rule and the Silver Rule.
Good rules for you to remember as you follow your Path through this life.
Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.
I'm not so sure people know about the Silver Rule:
Don't let anybody do anything to you that you wouldn't do to them.
I know, you're saying, "Huh?"
No, it doesn't exactly say that in the Bible.
But listen to me, just because you're a Christian doesn't mean that you have to be a sucker.
There are a lot of false prophets out there. There are a lot of scammers trying to take advantage of your good heart and good intentions. The Bible warns us against fakes and frauds.
If you would never take advantage of someone's belief system, then don't let anyone take advantage of yours. If someone starts telling you what you need to do or give them so Jesus will help you, STOP!
Jesus doesn't need a middleman. Remember, you have a direct line to the Spirit. You don't need to be brokered into a deal with the Lord, you can ask Him yourself!
God is watching over us all, and you need to take these "if it sounds too good to be true" deals straight to Him. Take it to the Word.
If the preacher promises you a tenfold increase tomorrow if you just give him a thousand dollars today, RUN! That's not the Bible, that's the world tempting you to do wrong.
If the Lord wants you to give the man (or woman) $1000, the Spirit will speak to you. You'll know what you need to do. It will be clear.
You don't have to be pressured by a fast talking sales pitch from someone pretending to speak for the Lord.
Don't let anyone do anything to you that you wouldn't do to them.
If you have a question, take it straight to the Word.
If you have a doubt, take it straight to the Word.
If you have needs, take them straight to the Word.
You don't need a middleman.
Jesus is here for you, right now, every day, everywhere. All you have to do is speak His name, sit down, have a nice talk with Him about what's going on.
Yeah, I know, you're telling yourself, "But He didn't give me a clear answer about that donation the preacher was demanding."
Let me ask you, did you become more and more uncomfortable about it? The more you thought about it, the worse you felt?
That was your answer.
The Spirit speaks in a quiet voice.
Satan shouts. Shouts and carries on and demands.
The Spirit doesn't have to shout.
Don't let anyone do anything to you that you wouldn't do to them.
Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you have to fall for every con artist that comes down the road.
Oh, and just because you met him/her at church, doesn't mean that their intentions are Godly.
Don't let anyone do anything to you that you wouldn't do to them.
The Golden Rule and the Silver Rule.
Good rules for you to remember as you follow your Path through this life.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Deep Blue Sea
My daughter and I were watching Deep Blue Sea last night.
Yeah, it's not the best movie out there. And I'm sure you're asking, "Why is she talking about this movie in this blog? Instead of over on razzberry-jam where she talks about life and art and movies and books?"
I have a purpose here.
The movie was OK. Not super bad, not Academy Award material, but for once the Black guy lived. And not only the Black guy, the CHRISTIAN Black guy.
Hey!
That's a welcome change from the usual scenario!
Usually the Black guy dies and the movie openly discounts and disrespects the Power of the Lord. Instead, LL Cool J portrays a recovering alcoholic, born again Christian who prays, wears his cross openly, tells the other characters that God is in charge and knows what's going on, and in fact is saved by the cross around his neck in a most practical (and kinda gruesome) way.
You might not approve of the theme, of the language, of the type of movie, but look at the underlying issues before entirely discounting it.
The Christian Brother relies on the Lord and survives. The scientists meddling with nature all die. The last one sacrifices herself. I don't want to say more than that, if you're curious, you should watch the movie and then decide if it's appropriate for your teens.
But remember, sometimes the best lessons about the Lord are through mediums that we don't normally consider.
Oh, and about LL Cool J? He really is a Christian, lives with his wife and four kids, and had a music label he started in 1993 called P.O.G. (Power Of God). Since it folded, LL has founded another record label, "Platinum Harvest".
(Hey, I should get my daughter to do some songs and submit them to his label! That would be way cool! I've always liked LL, his music and oh my, he's a cutie pie. And yes, married men are OFF-LIMITS, so I can admire him from afar without my mind going into sinful thoughts.)
Deep Blue Sea, 1999, Warner Brothers. Available on DVD.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LL_Cool_J
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Blue_Sea (Spoiler alert!! Don't read this link if you don't want to know what happens in the movie!)
Yeah, it's not the best movie out there. And I'm sure you're asking, "Why is she talking about this movie in this blog? Instead of over on razzberry-jam where she talks about life and art and movies and books?"
I have a purpose here.
The movie was OK. Not super bad, not Academy Award material, but for once the Black guy lived. And not only the Black guy, the CHRISTIAN Black guy.
Hey!
That's a welcome change from the usual scenario!
Usually the Black guy dies and the movie openly discounts and disrespects the Power of the Lord. Instead, LL Cool J portrays a recovering alcoholic, born again Christian who prays, wears his cross openly, tells the other characters that God is in charge and knows what's going on, and in fact is saved by the cross around his neck in a most practical (and kinda gruesome) way.
You might not approve of the theme, of the language, of the type of movie, but look at the underlying issues before entirely discounting it.
The Christian Brother relies on the Lord and survives. The scientists meddling with nature all die. The last one sacrifices herself. I don't want to say more than that, if you're curious, you should watch the movie and then decide if it's appropriate for your teens.
But remember, sometimes the best lessons about the Lord are through mediums that we don't normally consider.
Oh, and about LL Cool J? He really is a Christian, lives with his wife and four kids, and had a music label he started in 1993 called P.O.G. (Power Of God). Since it folded, LL has founded another record label, "Platinum Harvest".
(Hey, I should get my daughter to do some songs and submit them to his label! That would be way cool! I've always liked LL, his music and oh my, he's a cutie pie. And yes, married men are OFF-LIMITS, so I can admire him from afar without my mind going into sinful thoughts.)
Deep Blue Sea, 1999, Warner Brothers. Available on DVD.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LL_Cool_J
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Blue_Sea (Spoiler alert!! Don't read this link if you don't want to know what happens in the movie!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
