There is a time of sadness....

Lamentations are the writings of the prophet Jeremiah. It has been referred to as some as: "A Book of Sad Poems".

 Actually, there are 5 poems within Lamentations and they all center on Jerusalem. Jerusalem...has been invaded and destroyed by a foreign army, and now lies burnt...and broken.
 Jeremiah?...he was a prophet of Israel who loved his people, and a man heartbroken from the siege of Jerusalem.

 I think there are times in our own individual lives we are attacked and sieged...by things in life, things didn't work out the way we thought they might or a terrible tragedy has struck.
 It seems to be logical when these things occur to: 1) blame God...after all isn't He suppose to be loving and kind? 2) blame the devil...after all isn't he the author of everything evil?

 I think here in this chapter of Lamentations, Jeremiah teaches us what is probably the first course of action we should take...to allow God to speak to our hearts as to what we need to do "now" in response to a calamity or devastating event that sometimes happen in life.

 Sometimes things happen and there really is no logical reason to it, other times bad things happen because we "set ourselves up" for it to happen...and then wonder...Why?
 No one can explain why everything happens in our lives...yet Jeremiah offers a  response that is valuable...regardless of our situation.
 It's all about our attitude...at least that is the way I see it...its those times in our lives when you might think God has let you down...or even abandoned you...yet...you must remind yourself that is not true.
 In fact, there have been times when I sense a real closeness with Him...when "all hell has broke loose  in my own life", or so it seems. I think it goes back to a matter of trust...a matter of faith that says: " My eyes tell me I am sooo done, yet my heart cries out..."Abba"...
 
 One English word I truly love is the word "Instead". I think I like this word so much because it has an "offering of hope" with it...a way out you might say.
 Have you ever noticed the difference between the word "guilt"...and "conviction"? To me, guilt makes a judgment, condemns your actions, reminds you of its consequences, and leaves you pretty much hopeless.
 Conviction on the other hand...it too will point out the fault or wrong you may have done...yet is there to say: "Hey, we'll have to correct that...and then I will show you a way out...so it doesn't have to happen...ever again".

 By the way the word "instead" means: On the contrary, there is an alternative, or "we can put this in its place"......

                       A Gleaning from Lamentations 3:40-42

 " Instead, take a good look on how you are living, examine your lifestyle, and test it to see if it is "holding up" to what the Sacred Scriptures declare on how we are to live.
 And if you come across areas within you that are not complimentary to the teachings of the Scripture, redirect your lifestyle, find comfort in His companionship, and allow yourself the freedom to find yourself...in His Commandments and  replace any rebellious areas within you .

 For it is when you make these type of adjustments in your daily routines in life....you are able to lift up your head, lift up your heart, and lift up your hands...and then "mount up" in prayers to our God...with a repentant heart saying:
  " I have rebelled against You O Ancient One, I have openly chose to be contrary and willfully ignored Your very Words...and how is it You are able to forgive me...when I don't even acknowledge...I have hurt You?"

Later, in verse 57 of the same chapter, it reads...

 "And when I came to You,
               When I was in my darkest need....
   You are the One who comforted me...telling me,
   " Do not be moved by...fear...I have a plan for you!"....
 

The Crusades...a Series of Tragic Events...in "Christian" History

Christian history is often marred by those who point their fingers to..."The Crusades", a period of time beginning in 1095 A.D. and lasted for approximately 200 years. There were 4 different Crusades given to this time in history and is often categorized as "Christian History". My thoughts are: "Is this really a part of Christian History...or just "History gone bad?"

 The Crusades gave era to a very sad time in the lives of those who participated in such events of the period. Many regard these Crusades as an ugly monster...the lives that were lost, the innocents that were killed, and the gory brutalities that were done...all in the name of Jesus Christ. The question arises: "Who in their right mind would condone these events...and beyond that...these events were done in the name of Christ...the Son of God who died for each one of us?" Did not Jesus Himself say things like: "It's the Father's Will that not one of you be lost..."

 The Crusades...what was really goin' on? Why did it even happen? What results came of it? These are questions students of history often ask...and thus the journey begins....

 On November 27th, 1095 A.D., the Roman Catholic Pope Urban ll,  made what some have termed one of the great influential speeches of the Middle Ages. Pope Urban gave rise to declaring war...against Muslims...in order to reclaim the Holy Lands. This edict was then sent out to all "Christians" (basically referring to those of the Roman Catholic faith) within Europe and with this message came the battle cry of Pope Urban's famous speech: "Deus Vult!" meaning..."God wills it!"
 By 1095 A.D., the Holy Land...the Middle East, had become a real point of conflict for Catholics living in Europe. For over 500 years, European Catholics had frequently made pilgrimages...to Jerusalem...to honor the Christ child and His birth.
 Then, a major event happened that completely changed the course of this historical setting. The Seljuk Turks of the Muslim faith had taken control of the Middle East...and more importantly had seized control of an area that was the very heart of Catholic pilgrimage. Western European Catholics and the Byzantine Catholics (those of Eastern Europe) were all officially barred...from entry to the most holiest of cities in Christendom...Jerusalem!
 This denial to entry became an intense and dangerous conflict that was about to emerge. In fact, the Turks escalated the whole affair by threatening to invade the Byzantine Empire...and conquer its most glorious city...Constantinople (a city equal to Rome in the hearts of Eastern European Catholics).
 The Byzantine Emperor Alexius l...made a special appeal to Pope Urban ll for immediate assistance. This wasn't the first time something of this nature had happened, but this was a particularly strong appeal...and as the saying goes: "Timing means everything."

 And to Pope Urban ll, this appeal could not have come at a better time. Urban was in the midst of putting together a "call to restoration", a time to reinforce the power of the Roman Catholic papacy. Pope Urban thought a unification of all Roman Catholic Christians would be made possible... by the Declaration of War against the Holy Lands...and strengthen the papacy. So, without hesitation...war was declared...to take back the Holy Lands from the Muslim Turks!

 At the Council of Clemont, located in France, Pope Urban ll delivered his persuasive speech. This place was filled with several hundred clerics and noblemen as well. He announced to all that "this was a time to stop fighting against one another, whether you be rich or poor, and join in a truly righteous war...to embark and fight in the aid of all Christians...this is a call to...Take Back Jerusalem!"

 It is written Pope Urban ll verbally degraded the Muslim sect, told exaggerating stories of the Muslim "anti-Christian" acts against them, and the most important element of all...a promise of complete absolution and remission for anyone who would take up this just and righteous cause, and would meet their death...in their dedication of service to reclaim the Holy Lands!

 And so....many believed his message....


 

Paul sends a strong reminder...Gleaning from Colossians 3:15-17

Saint Paul wrote to the Colossians while he was in prison, most likely writing from the great city of Rome. This particular letter could have been written...30 years after...the Resurrection.
 Colossae was mostly a Gentile region...about 100 miles east of Ephesus...

 Like in so many regions during that time, false teachers were springing up and trying to influence the true Believers in Christ Jesus, and Paul had concerns over what he had been hearing.
 Saint Paul did not want the Gospel of the Lord Jesus to be infected...in any way. He did not want these false teachers to influence the Believers by adding rules or twisting the Gospel with stipulations needed to accept the true Gospel of faith.
 The letter to the Believers in Colassae is unique in this sense: Paul renders his heart on his personal thoughts about Christ and what He means to Paul...perhaps more than any other letter he wrote in the New Testament.

 In chapter 3 Saint Paul puts special emphasis on the qualities of Christ, particularly the power and ability not to fight or argue with one another. The Believers have Christ in their hearts, and included in the heart of a Believer is having...His Peace reigning in their hearts.
 Paul reaffirms this statement of fact: the Gospel of Christ is powerful...and is able to change our hearts and lives. Through the acceptance of the Lord Jesus into our own hearts, we are now friends with God the Father Himself...and with that....how much more are we to be friends... with one another...with thankful hearts.

                                    A Gleaning from Colossians...3:15-17

 " There is a Peace...a type of harmony...that each of you received when you gave your hearts to Him. This harmony...that is now in you...is meant to be shared with others. Don't you see it, this Peace you have...it comes from Him...in fact...it is Him. He is Peace!
 This Peace has the very power to rule our very hearts, His Peace acting like a referee, instructs us to "play the game of life fair"...according to His Standards! His Peace decides and settles with a finality all the questions that arise in this life...often coming from our very own thoughts and misunderstandings. His Peace causes each one of us to live in...the "Calling of His Peace", including having peace with ourselves... and with those around us.
 Another thing, this Peace that originates from Him, cultivates our hearts into a "Spirit of Gratefulness", a thankful attitude and a deep appreciation for the things He provides for us...in this life! His Peace ushers into our own hearts a "Song of Praise"...and that is always a right thing to do!

 The very words of Christ Jesus, that is the entire Sacred Scriptures themselves, is the true ruling power within our households (the chambers of our own hearts). His words fill our lives and we are enriched....and it is here all of our "treasures" are found. Open your heart...allow His Peace to find room and space to move around...and to find its home...in each one of us.
 Remember, when You invite His Peace into your own lives, it is accompanied with the strength to share, to teach, to admonish, to direct, and to establish a common sense in our lives. Wisdom herself then makes her grand entrance into our hearts, and "Songs of Praise" creates a melody that causes us to overflow with grateful hearts."

Don't you just hate it...when a "Mount Hermon" comes along?

In Psalm 42, it reminds me what I am suppose to do...when things seem to get "all messed up" in daily life. This chapter illustrates to me..."the ball is in my corner" sort of speak....I can either choose to let my mind, my will, and my emotions take control and influence me with thoughts the Scriptures really don't say, or I can take control and remind my own mind, my will, and my emotions...the only way through certain situations in life...is clinging to what the Sacred Scriptures dictate...what the Scriptures DO SAY.

 Mount Hermon is mentioned in this passage. the word Hermon itself means "abrupt"...which often classifies at times in our daily lives how things all of a sudden get "all messed up."
 We can be going along in daily life and might feel like we are in "cruise control"...then all of a sudden...abruptly...stuff happens.
 And when you have a "Mount Hermon" come along...it could be a big one...a catastrophe, a bad report, or something that can really "wrench your gut".

 Mt. Hermon is located in the northern part of Israel and is a pretty good size mountain. It has the name "ice mountain" because of its heights giving place to ski resorts etc.
 Also in this Psalm...the River Jordan is mentioned. It is described in a rather vicious sort of way, and here is the thing: the River Jordan has its beginnings from...Mount Hermon. At certain times a year, the rains coming down from Mount Hermon will run into the Jordan...and then the Jordan would run over rocks, create waterfalls, and certain parts of the river got pretty deep.

 Kind of like our lives at times don't you think? We have a "Mount Hermon" come at us...and if that's not enough...the "fury of the Jordan" comes along at the same time.
 Have you ever heard someone say..."Life just keeps getting deeper and deeper"? The meaning for me is: life is difficult at the moment...and it seems to be getting worse...each step I take.

 Some Bible scholars have concluded something else about Mount Hermon: they think this is where " The Transfiguration" took place....where God spoke and said: " This is My Own Dear Son....He is the One...keep ALL your attention focused on....Him! Listen to every word He has to say!"

                            A Gleaning from: Psalm 42: 6-8

 " Now I am going to say this from my heart...You...You are my God!

At the moment...it doesn't appear so. There is a real battle "raging within me"... that demands "TOTAL MUTINY". My own will is declaring it cannot "go on", my mind is questioning every thought I submit, and my emotions...they just want "total and complete control"...and lead in a rebellion against You...my Lord.
 All of them: my will...my mind...and my emotions have "thrown their lot in" to go one direction...a cast down place...a place known as "Discouragement", a place where the burdens of our lives have proved themselves more than we can bear.

 Yet, my heart issues a proclamation: "You must not let this happen!"

I must issue the following orders: FIRST: to my own will...you must line yourself up with His Will...and do exactly what His Instructions have dictated from the Sacred Scriptures,
SECOND: to my own mind...You are given the following orders...to remember and keep yourself totally occupied with fresh reminders of what the Sacred Scriptures dictate, and THIRD: to my emotions...you must surrender at once, to the writings of the Sacred Scripture. You have no authority whatsoever to organize a "hostile takeover"...and your "screams in the night" and " cries of the day" must be answered through one means...the Sacred Scripture!

 For my memory goes to the land of the River Jordan...and climbs further...to the Summits of Mount Hermon. I remember all the smaller mountains that surround Mount Hermon...look over there....Mount Mizar.
 And now I remember...the River Jordan...at times roaring down from Mount Hermon...like the very depths of the Seas. And from this mighty rush of water...you can hear its loud and vicious roar, and see the waterfalls it has created...ever beautiful yet ever so dangerous!
 And from the sound of all this might...I hear Your Thunder... "Deep calling to the Deep".

 For I must tell You...all this noise sounds more like: "Chaos calling to Chaos". The waves of the Jordan are vicious, and have swept over me! The "Anger of the Jordan" crushes anyone in its path...wave after wave.

 Yet...my own heart declares this message: "He is ever kind...and will sustain me. Through the entire day and into the very Darkness of the Night...He is there...for me! He has deposited something new...in my heart...and it comes from Him...His seal is upon it! It is... a Song...a Song that is to be sung from my heart...and look!...there is another Song...and another! He says these "Songs of Praise" are to be sung...throughout the night.

 These "Songs of Praise"...are directed to You...to the God who gives me Life! These songs reminds me: You are...my God! You are...my Lord!
 My very life...is a prayer to Him! 

A Secret to Life....

Saint Paul was returning to the city of Philippi...this was his 3rd time to come and visit the community of Believers here. Paul was recovering from a dangerous illness, and was glad to be coming to Philippi. He "loved these guys" and is evident by the words he wrote in this letter.
 Paul uses Greek words here in reference to the Philippian Believers wanting to help Paul like a "plant whose flowers are about to bloom once more".
 Also to be noted is the fact there were a group of people during Paul's lifetime known as "Stoics". They were of the belief they could find contentment from any situation in life and be completely free from emotion. This type of mental state could be done through the routines of mental concentration and self-will to do so.  Paul clarifies in this passage of Scripture our contentment lies in having a relationship with Him...given to us...by Christ Jesus Himself...
 

                                  A Gleaning from Philippians 4: 10-14

 "It makes me extremely happy, and energizes my joy in Him, causing me to burst forth into a grateful heart...all because of you!...and your concern for my personal welfare.
 I am quite aware you have never stopped thinking of me...and have continually included me in your daily prayers. I know you have longed for the moment to present itself that you might express in gifts your very love for me...and the desire to assist me in any way you can.
And how grateful I am to have friends like you! Yet, as I look back and see how far I have come...in having a trusting relationship with Him...it is apparent to me I really don't have a "big personal need"...at least not at the moment.
 It seems as Christ Jesus and I have grown closer as friends, He has given me a gift...its called the "Art of Contentment", and this gift enables me to be undisturbed or undistracted from whatever set of circumstances I find myself in. The secret to this gift?...it's Him!

 You see, He is the secret as to why we can live this life in such a free state, not ruled by circumstances or emotions. He is truly the secret to life itself, and my joy or happiness is not dependent on whether I have little or whether I have much, whether my "hands are empty ...or my hands are full".
 I have discovered my strength in life comes totally from Christ Jesus, and He empowers me to be ready for anything...and equal to anything. He infuses me with inner strength to face any and all things.
 Yet, let me make this perfectly clear. How beautiful it is in my eyes and in His eyes as well...for you to contribute to my needs and share the difficulties around me. The integrity of your hearts speak well of the nobility of you character...and for that I am ever grateful."

The First Thanksgiving

We often look at paintings of various artists renditions of the 1st  Thanksgiving, and draw conclusions from those paintings...that is how it was...yet here is some info I have gathered that may have a different perspective on...the way the "1st Thanksgiving went down":

 1. There were at least 90 Native American warriors at this event, and with others from the Wampanoag tribe probably well over 100 people from their village.
2. There were 53 "Pilgrims", who at that time were actually called "Separatists", which was in reference to their beliefs that were contrary to the Church of England. They really weren't called "Pilgrims" until some 50 years later.
3. The Separatists were seeking religious freedom and that is why they came to the New World on the ship...the Mayflower. Many were under persecution from the English government and had found refuge in the Netherlands prior to their voyage to America.
4. The 1st Thanksgiving really wasn't referred to as "Thanksgiving". It was regarded as a "Harvest Festival", a long tradition even at that time and could be traced to  some pagan roots. Typically this was a time where people, particularly of the northern European region would gather in their livestock and crops for the year and appeal to "the gods" for help to survive the cold winter that lied ahead. It was recorded that as many as 50% of a local village population could perish before the warmth of Spring arrived. 
5. A Separatist did have thanksgiving days, but it was with a small "t", and were actually days given to prayer and fasting. George Washington makes this comment in his first acknowledgement of Thanksgiving in 1789.
6. The "First Thanksgiving" was at least a 3 day affair. Native American customs were of such that celebrations of this nature were much longer, a time to enjoy the each other in a sense of community.
7. The Separatists didn't really wear the black clothes, big buckles, hats, etc as we see depicted in artists drawings. The men had button down shirts, breeches (pants to the knees tied by ribbons or strings), "blouses" (kind of like a modern day sweatshirt), tall stockings, and either stocking caps or floppy felt hats.
 Women wore ankle length skirts of solid colors, bonnets to keep their hair clean, aprons to keep their dresses clean, and the colors varied. Because of the influence of living in the Netherlands, dresses could be purple,yellow, reds, or other colors...much like we see from the Dutch flower...the tulip. The "black look" for both men and women did not come until later.
8. Nor did the Native Americans of the Wampanoag tribe come in full headdresses. They were more of a simple deerskin and their hair simply tied back.
9. Although the alliance between the Wampanoag tribe and the Separatists happen at this occasion, it did not last. Squanto, the "mediator" between the tribe and the English, died the next year in 1622 from "the fever". Tensions between the two began to escalate  in the 1630's and it was an all out war by the 1670's. The Colonists eventually defeated the Wampanoag tribe.
10. Fish was a major contributor to the meats of this "1st Thanksgiving", along with deer, pheasant, and wild turkey.

A Thanksgiving Story

It had been a hard winter. Arriving in harbor in November of the past year made it extremely difficult for all those who had come on the passage.
 There were 102 of us that journeyed from the Netherlands and England to come to the New World...but that was last November. Now, 53 of us remain. We had lost men, women, and children over the last 12 months...a couple of entire families have perished. A few of us had unfortunate accidents, but for the most part sickness and starvation took its toll.
 Yet this past Spring...we had to pull ourselves together...and survive. Our trust in God was more dependent now than it ever had been, and we had to carve our future and find ways to overcome the obstacles that greeted us when we arrived.
 Many of us remained in the ship, the Mayflower, over the winter months...we didn't have a choice...it was too late to build and construct...the winter cold had set in. Being "camped up" in the ship was an unhealthy site, many of the women who aided those who got "the fever" were too infected...giving up their right to live in "fresh air" choosing instead to assist those in dire pain. The men and boys were able to get out and hunt, giving them intervals of a fresh air environment.
 People were dying all around us, some from broken hearts of losing their loved ones and many to "the fever". One lady named Mary slipped while on the deck of the ship and plunged into the cold and icey waters in the harbor...she got the fever...and died.
 Food was scarce...we were able to hunt for plenteous meat...but vegetables and fruit...were so scarce...the scurvy had an impact on manys health.

 When Spring arrived, we constructed our buildings and homes. There were large fields already cleared. The story goes these fields had been cleared by Native Americans living here...by a tribe called the Wampanoags. They had named this field we chose "Patuxet". Yet, they too faced similar conditions we were now facing...the Fever or the Plague as some called it. The village lost most of its residents and now it had been abandoned. We decided to make a go of it here and built our village where Patuxet had been....we called it "Plymouth".
 In March of this year, the year 1621 God sent us a messenger of His Mercy. We met a young man named Squanto, from the Wampanoag tribe. He was English speaking and had been in some terrible ordeals himself in the recent past. He had been captured by the Spanish, thrown in prison, and by God's Grace had now returned to his homeland...and thank God he did.
 His family and close friends had been the ones that had cleared the field and built the village we now live on....Squanto's family were all part of Patuxet. He too had lost many of his own.
 Squanto now lived within another set of families within their tribe, part of a village where the powerful chief of the entire tribe of Wampanoags resided, his name..."Massasoit". Squanto came to our village in the spring with his friend Samoset, and they were quite friendly...and ever helpful.
 They showed us how to grow corn in this region and introduced us to new and different crops...including pumpkins. They also gave us instructions on how to catch fish in the area, and of course the game...deer and wild turkey and pheasants...were abundant.
 Chief Massasoit was quite interested in us...I think a large part due to our guns and ammunition. There was another tribe who lived to the west, the Narragansett tribe, and they were enemies to Chief Massasoit and his tribe. Our guns and ammo could be beneficial in their fight against them.

 We had a good year in relation to crops and being able to store up some supplies for the upcoming winter. With our homes now established, we felt God had given us a "foothold" to at least survive the upcoming winter. There were a few among us that still lived in fear of all the terrible calamities that we had faced, and some chose to give up or steal the very food we were trying to build up for the winter. Yet, for the most part, we were in much better shape than the year previous.

 With our harvest in, it was decided to have a "Festival of Harvest", and have a joyous celebration for our first year's accomplishments. We really had no choice. There was no way back to England or the Netherlands. The Mayflower had left our harbor in April of this year, and was already back in port in England.
 So, for the 53 of us that remained, we did just that. We also thought it good to invite Squanto and his village to the Fall Festival, hoping some would come for dinner and perhaps talk and have fun learning each others cultures.
 As the day arrived and we began our celebration, we saw Chief Massosoit and his faithful band of warriors making there way here as well....over 90 of them. Although outnumbered almost 2 to 1, we had our guns, ammunition, as well as a few canons. When they arrived, we were able to establish a friendship...an alliance...simply because we needed one another. Chief Massosoit was needing our gun support, and we needed their expertise on growing crops and adjusting to the New World's way of life.
 We gave thanks to God and feasted...for over 3 days. Our supplies were used much, yet in the middle of all this celebration some of their warriors brought us 5 deer and harvest crops from their village.
 This was... a time of Thanksgiving....

And then: "You Arrived!"...A Gleaning form Psalm 31:19-22

Psalm 31 is a Psalm of David. In this chapter he is reminding us to 1) find your security in life...in the Lord, and 2) learn the art of patience and trust Him to be there when you need Him...right when you need Him.

 The thing about verses like this...David is speaking from real experiences he had in life....like near-death type experiences.

 Most likely this was a time when Saul was after David...to kill him. Earlier in this Psalm, the first thing David does is...pray...pray to God because he was is trouble and needed real help. And...God sent help...Saul did not catch David.
 This gave David a "little breathing room", and he received some comfort from this God he put his trust in...to the point David actually became pretty joyful over the whole outcome...
                                              but...it wasn't over!

 It happened again! This time it was worse. So, David did again what he had done the first time...he prayed...and asked his God for help...and God did it again...He brought help...and Saul again could not capture David.

 In Psalm 31 David uses some pretty vivid words to describe his story when offering prayers to God...like "wide place" meaning he was hoping God would give him the help he needed so David could go anywhere he pleased...and not have "Saul on his back" continually.
 David also prayed in this manner: "Rescue me because of Your very Name! David knew in his own heart of God's tremendous fame...the kind of fame that speaks of God coming and helping those who have committed their entire lives into His hands.

 David also describes some of the stress he was under in verses 9-12. Stress can mess you up...it can make you sick, feel like you want to die, or flat wear you out to the point you simply don't want to live anymore. Yet, David also reminds himself and all of us: "My times are in...Your hands!"
 And now David comes to a "high point" in the chapter...reminding himself how God is there...right there!...when we need Him. Furthermore, when it is "all said and done", it won't be David put to shame...it will be his enemies...like Saul...who wanted to "do David in".
 And why could David believe that?...because David knew...those that come against him (David), comes against the God David believes in.

 In the commentaries of John  Calvin, the great theologian of yesteryear, he emphasizes in verse 19 that David is not only proclaiming God is good, but God is "to be ravished with admiration"...from David personally, the reason being David's first hand experience of taking the chance...to trust Him!
 As in many parts of the Sacred Scripture, until one experiences for themselves the Scriptures coming alive in their own lives, the Scriptures can seem vague and hard to relate to.
 Yet, once you do apply the "Living Word" to a situation you may be facing...then you have done something that goes beyond the everyday "hum-drum" of human life....for now you have crossed-over...you have entered His Kingdom...and you may never...return!

                                 A Gleaning from Psalm 31: 19-22

 "Ok, how can I possibly not say...How Wonderful You Truly Are!...and You have so many good things stored for us... in Your Home...to be given to anyone who fears, reveres, and worships You!
 We know the world is not exactly kind to anyone, but You are determined...to lavish us with Your Gifts...blessing those who make their mind up to put their trust...in You! You safely protect them from any opposition...while the rest of the world simply...watches!
 You hide us... in the very "Shelter of Your Presence", and You are the protection from those who conspire against us, those who are two-faced, and from all the poisonous gossip that vomits from their very lips.
 I will praise You my King, for You once again demonstrate Your marvelous love...right into my personal daily situations. Your great kindness makes us all stand in awe...awe at the wonder of it all!
 I was about to "be had", like a large army encircling a city...poised to siege and destroy the city. I was in total panic...stressed to the max! I thought..."Lord, am I out of Your sight?...and if I am out of Your sight...am I out of Your thoughts as well?"
                        Then...You arrived!"

Why is it so hard to "Examine the Sacred Scriptures."..part 6

The 6th reason I have found in not being able to "get into" the Sacred Scripture is: we seem to relate and identify with things that are "short and sweet". We don't like to research, critique, verify, or simply "dig into" what the Scriptures are saying to each one of us.
 It seems to me as we identify and mold certain philosophies into our lifestyles, our sources come from a one time  momentary occurrence, and we tend to like that...because it requires little...from us.
 
 I read in different blogs or on Face book of how one certain phrase greatly influences how a person looks at life, goals, and even God the Father Himself. Perhaps a bumper sticker, a 1/2 episode of  Oprah, or a song can cause a person to have their whole outlook on life changed, simply based on what that "moment" meant to them, and the effect it has on their lives..all originating from one solitary moment.
 Now I don't think it is necessarily wrong for someone to have a momentary experience that causes you to look at life from a different perspective... the problem is...it stops there.

 Think about the Scriptures for a moment...or even our identity with God the Father Himself.
If you were totally honest with yourself, do you ever think of your relationship with God kind of like going to the doctor?...you know you have to see the doctor, but what a relief it will be when your done...you are in...and out.
 Or how about the things we do...like reciting the Lord's Prayer. First, it is the Scripture...right? And really, it doesn't take that long to recite it....and it "covers alot of ground", and maybe if I can say it with enough sincerity...I will have a good week ahead!
Do you think that is why the Lord Jesus gave us the Lord's Prayer...so we can have something to recite easily, whether we are alone or collectively, and we can get some Peace knowing all is well between God and ourselves?
 Or how about church services that read the Scriptures in the service itself? I happen to attend a service that is liturgical in nature, and in our services we have a 1st and 2nd Reading...of the Scripture. When the Scripture is read, the reader then concludes by saying: "This is the Word of the Lord", and the congregation responds: "Thanks be to God". It doesn't matter whether you had "a clue" what was being read...the important thing is...it was Scripture being read and I gave "Thanks to God" for it...Right?
          We just seem to stop...and go on to the things that do interest us in life.

There are 3 things I would like to take note of when it comes to the study of the Sacred Scripture:

1. The people of Berea. Berea is a Greek city in the Book of Acts in the New Testament approximately 65 miles from Thessalonica. Today Berea is called Veria.
 The city at the time of the New Testament writings had a strong Jewish population and had a number of Greeks living there as well. Paul was deeply impressed with the attitude of the Bereans and the writer of the Book of Acts, Saint Luke mentions so. The Berean community's style of listening and reading of the Scriptures during that time has influenced the way Christian communities study the Scriptures...today. It is referred to as "examining the Scriptures".
 A Gleaning from Acts 17:11-12:

 " The Jewish people of the town Berea were more open-minded and generally more mature in attitude when Paul and Silas arrived to share the Good News. The Berean people themselves were ready...hearts being open, emotions not having rule in their decision making, nor  did they  want some "wild Jewish fairy tale" be delivered to them...as was quite prevalent during that time and era.
 As Paul shared with them the Good News, the Bereans accepted Paul's Message concerning the need to receive Christ Jesus into their own hearts as the True Messiah. As they listened and received what Paul taught them, they (the Bereans) began to examine and study the Sacred Scriptures...for themselves...to see and know what Paul had shared with them...was actually true.
 The Bereans made this a daily practice, and examined the Sacred Scriptures carefully and in detail. Because of this pursuance of the Scripture in this style and manner, many people within the Jewish community received Christ Jesus into their hearts as well, along with many prominent Greeks living in Berea, both men and women."

 This practice of "Examining the Scriptures" to see if they were true has influenced Christians throughout history and even today. I think sometimes we get this false idea that God gets upset if we question what He has dictated in His Word, and that is far from Truth. The only way God would be upset to practice this "Berean style" of the study of the Scripture would be if we had a wrong attitude going about it. The Bereans were "noble in character", meaning they respected any and all regardless of their personal beliefs.
 For me, it would mean doing something like this: Psalm 23 begins "The Lord is my Shepherd"... ok, you might ask yourself..."Why is the Lord...my Shepherd?" or "Why is the Lord called a Shepherd in the first place?" "What are the qualities of a Shepherd?" Take your time, examine carefully...so that you might come to know for yourself Christ Jesus is the True Messiah...and by the way, my study led me to believe...He is our True Shepherd!

2. Jewish children being taught the Law of Moses at an early age.
 For approximately 10 years Jewish children are taught the Ancient Scriptures based from commands in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 32:7, Proverbs 3:1-2, and others.
 In the teaching of the Jewish children, the older children would take time to interact and teach the younger, as well as the importance of  parents not distracting children to perform other duties and be taken away from their time to...examine the Scriptures.  I think the most impressive thing to me in reference to examining the Scriptures through their childhood years was the Hebrew language ability to "feel and get an understanding" as to what was being said in the Scripture.
 For example, returning to Psalm 23, it begins: "The Lord is my Shepherd...". A child reared in the Jewish faith...this had real meaning...how a Shepherd thinks, how a Shepherd "feels" about his flock, and how a Shepherd depends on God for help and assistance.
 Understanding the emotions that come when examining the Scripture is equally important to
 reading the Scripture. Combine that with the settings and "pictures in the mind" of what the Scriptures describe...all of this had an important part in the examining of Scriptures.
 That is why I am a believer in looking at the context of a passage of Scripture, and putting a "face and identity" to the people and the words they spoke in the Scripture. I have discovered when Peter walked on the water...Jesus wasn't putting him down by saying "Ye of little faith", or how the apostle Thomas is often referred to as "Doubting Thomas"....when Thomas was one of the most bold believers in Christ Jesus of all the original disciples.

3.  I think as we give our hearts to the Lord Jesus, we have to apply our own examining of the Scripture like we would our favorite hobby or interest we may have. If you like to work on your home and do things like paint, lay a different floor, or put in new lights, then approach the Scriptures with the techniques you use to remodel your home. Take a verse or a passage of Scripture, remodel it so you have an understanding of what you are reading (and no...I don't mean change what the Scripture reads), rather, study the words...find ways to recreate it so it is "pleasing to the eye" when you read its content. It could be a word, looking up its meaning or finding a synonym or word that says the same thing yet works for you better...in your own unique way.
If you like video games...make the study of the Scriptures a game...and create ways to win at understanding Scripture that you might have been previously lost at trying to even read  let alone understand.
 Along with this, take your personal interests...and apply techniques to the examining of the Scriptures...whether it be a verse or an entire chapter.
 
 And above all, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to increase your hunger  in a creative way...a way just for you that will help in...examining the Scriptures.

It can be done!  It may take some time...but it will be worth it! Be patient, do a little at a time...try to be consistent, and find someone to share your Examination of the Scripture...for the Scriptures will "do you right"...just give them a chance to work their way into your heart!

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Sarah McLachian....Pretty Cool!

Sarah McLachian is a singer/musician from Canada. She has been in the "spotlight" for quite some time now...I think better than 20 years.

 I know...she doesn't exactly support Christianity...unless she has changed her view recently that I am unaware.

 Yet what I really like about her are all those thought provoking lines in many of her ballads and songs. I really get into how she interprets everyday life...she just seems to have a "gift" to put on paper what your heart and mind are really thinking. I really love some of the "stuff" she has put "out there" for the public to hear.
 An example would be in her song: "The Arms of an Angel"...in one of her lines it goes: "You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent revelry." I have read much on how that line alone  and how it has really touched people's hearts in different ways: a lady whose daughter had passed and at her daughter's funeral she played this song and it meant so much to so many who attended the funeral, to another it helped them to find their faith in God, and yet to another it gave them hope and courage to go in life. What was the song about? It was about a guy who played keyboards for a group called Smashing Pumpkins, and he died of a heroin overdose. The "Arms of an Angel" symbolized the drug itself...a way of escape until one time...he did too much.

 Here are a few other what I call thought provoking statements she has included in some of her songs: 1. "We're constantly being told what other people think we are, and that's why it is so important to know yourself". 2. "Peace in the struggle to find peace...comfort on the way to comfort. And if I shed a tear, I won't cage it... I won't fear love. And if I rage, I won't deny it...I won't fear love." 3. "In the lonely light of morning, in a world that would not heal, it's the bitter taste of losing everything I've held so dear."4. "The more we take the less we become, the fortune of one man means less for some."

 I think what gets to me in her quotes from many of her songs...is simply the challenge...the challenge to know within the depths of my heart another great quote from a song I have cherished: "Jesus loves me this I know...for the Bible tells me so."
 I realize McLachian doesn't have the same outlook on God as I do...well at least her songs seem to indicate that, like her song "Dear God" which I hope to get into later, but I am not one to get too defensive when someone challenges my faith in the Lord Jesus, in fact, I often embrace it.
 
 The song many heard in their childhood years, "Jesus Loves Me This I Know" dates back to the 1860's. The words were actually in a best selling novel written by Anna Warner, during the Civil War. Anna lived very close to the West Point Academy, and taught Sunday School class where many West Point Cadets would attend.
 Anna Warner lived in an era where there was much pain; the Civil War bringing wounds, loss of loved ones, and death to some of the very Cadets who were in her Sunday School class.
 In her novel, a young child is dying...and there was nothing anyone could do. The pain the child was suffering seem to increase as Death drew nearer...until the person attending the child began to quote a poem: "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so....". The poem brought with its words a power...and the child's pain subsided.
 Later, a man by the name of William Bradbury, who founded a company known as "Bradbury Pianos"...put the poem to song. Here then are the words to:

                                       Jesus Loves Me This I Know Hymn

 Jesus loves me! This I know,
 For the Bible tells me so,

 Little ones to Him belong;
 They are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain

 Yes, Jesus loves me!
 Yes, Jesus loves me!
 Yes, Jesus loves me!
 The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee
Saying, "Let them come to Me."

Refrain

Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give,
Light and love to all who live.

Refrain

 Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Refrain

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.

Refrain

I think the first thing you have to do in regards to accepting Jesus, you have to come to a place in your life where you realize you are lost...and many of our questions and thoughts in life cannot clearly be clarified until...He finds us...looking for Him. Words like Sarah McLachian shares in her ballads...are awesome...and causes me to realize I don't have the answers..within myself...

A Gleaning from Hebrews 11:6

 " Without enacting your personal faith, there really is no way to know Him... let alone please Him, apart from an effort from you to exercise faith and give Him an opportunity to come into your heart and life.
 If anyone determines within his own heart and mind that he/she really needs to find God,
 the first thing to do is to believe He is for real...He really does exist, and second, God does care...in fact He cares more than enough to respond, help, and bless those who are searching and seeking for Him."

"The Past...echoes The Future"...a Gleaning from Jeremiah

The prophet Jeremiah was a priest who lived in Judea. He lived in the 600's...the B.C. era. Jeremiah was "one of those guys" who had the boldness in his personality to "tell it the way it really is". yet, the people of Judea and Israel didn't want to hear it. Instead, they just wanted to hear "pretty stuff"...about their present situations and their future.

 Hear lies a problem when a people of any culture gets "an attitude" like that. First, people in that frame of mind don't see the inadequacies within their own standards. They totally disregard they might need improvement on moral, social, or other ethical issues within their society that may be contributors to the breakdown of their way of life.
 Second, when a people get to where all they want is to hear "sweet and pretty" things about themselves regardless of how they are treating each other or those around them, they tend to welcome anything that states they are "good", their lives are fine, and they deserve a bright future. ...even if what they  perceive of themselves are not true...but rather pure lies. 

 This is what Jeremiah was facing...but Jeremiah "kept it coming". Jeremiah desired to obey God and speak the Truth of what God relayed to him...whether it sound good or bad.
 Even in Jeremiah's day, he spoke of things which would not "win a popularity contest", but Jeremiah also trusted in a God that would bring things together in a good way for His people...in this case years after Jeremiah had passed.

 In chapter 32 of Jeremiah, the prophet is in prison. Zedekiah was king of Judea and had been for approximately 10 years.
 Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, had been ruling for about 18 years and now had his army encircled around Jerusalem.
 King Zedekiah didn't like the message Jeremiah was proclaiming, so he had Jeremiah put in prison. Actually, it was a place referred to as the "Soldier's Yard" and was adjacent to the King's palace. I imagine that although King Zedekiah didn't want to hear what Jeremiah was saying...  if "all hell broke lose" God's spokesman would be nearby....just in case Zedekiah needed direction. ( Isn't it odd how we keep a Bible around the house...never really open it...unless there be a catastrophe or something devastating happens....then we kind of "cherry-pick" what we want to read because we don't have a clue what we are doing.)

 The Lord had spoke through the prophet Jeremiah and said He is giving Jerusalem over to the power and control of King Nebuchadnezzar. And, King Zedekiah of Judea would not escape from capture. In fact, Zedekiah would be soon on his way....to Babylon. Jeremiah's instructions from the Lord were: NOT to fight against the soldiers of Babylon...it would actually go better for them if they did  just "laid low" and let the takeover be done with minimal resistance.

 Hard times were about to arrive for the Jewish people, and the reason is?....they had completely turned their back on the best friend they had ever had....The Lord God...and to add insult...they were proud of themselves for doing so and delighted with the "progress and development" they had achieved in their own society... without His assistance.
 In chapter 32 of Jeremiah, it describes how Jeremiah ends up purchasing a piece of ground just prior to the Babylon take-over...symbolic that although Israel was about to enter hard times...they would return and have a future...with their hearts returned...to Him.
  Numerous times throughout history you read of Israel repeating these same actions...first they give their hearts to the Lord...then they "kick Him out of their lives" and go on without Him...then they get themselves in a mess...get conquered or something equivalent...then they return and give their hearts once again to Him....and so on and so on.
  Empires, Dynasties, Rulers of massive Kingdoms...they all come and they all go...but He remains. He has not changed, no Kingdom or country has ever overthrown Him, and He remains the same...yesterday...today...and forever.
 So in our society and lifestyles today...are we honoring Him?...or is there a "Babylon" about to arrive? And if there is a "clouded future" for our lives...what is the real reason why? Is it the choices we have made in our modern age of society?...abortions...same sex-marriage...acceptance of all religions as a way to God Himself? Are these the things that has left our God in a position to have to "let us go" and understand the choices we have made...because we have "let go of Him...long ago?" And even if we blow the dust off our Bibles, and begin to read...Does it really make any sense to us...now? Personally I don't really think any of these reasons are the real root causes of God ever "letting us go" as a society....I think it is something else...and the Israelites repeatedly confirm this.
 I think the real root cause to any country or any individual turning away from God can be traced to one sin...the Sin of...Neglect. We just choose to ignore Him...He doesn't really exist...and even if we have "fairy tales" and stories about Him...they are stories we have given Him...and not the actual God as described in the Sacred Scriptures.

 I found it interesting that in Jeremiah 32, the verses target one component as to the Babylon takeover..."the worship of Baal and other gods on their rooftops"...meaning in their own homes. I think this is where the "Sin of Neglect" is most obvious...what we do in our own homes. Baal worship is often thought as worshipping some giant grotesque statue and sacrificing children upon its altar...but that is not exactly true. Yes, there were times people went to those extremes...yet Baal worship can be simply...focused on the material things in this life, self-accomplishments we have done...in this life, or our  hard work and drive causing us to be who we are ...now. So, things like giving a time slot for daily prayer, examining the Sacred Scriptures, or being a comfort to others....these are sacrificed at the "Altar of Baal"...that we might "pursue our dreams"...in the name of...Ourselves.
 When the Babylonian soldiers entered Jerusalem...they went immediately and burned...their homes.....

                            A Gleaning from Jeremiah 32...around verse 26 and a little beyond.....

  God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah once again, and He says: "Listen up! Be alert to this! I AM...everything that concerns you...both then, now, and in your future...it is I who watches over you. When plans I have made for you, or even plans you try and carry out among yourselves...without Me...do you think they are so hard that I cannot repair?...or make things right again?
 Follow these instructions: I AM about to hand over My beloved city Jerusalem...to the pagans, Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. They will enter, take it over, and capture all who live within its very gates. They will enter Jerusalem and burn your very homes! Why? Because it is in your own homes My people have ignored Me, and chose to burn their incense to...Baal...and openly doing so...on their very rooftops. Their offerings include not only to Baal( the material things life has to offer)..but other gods as well (entertaining the "many different ways to have God" in your life).
 The people of Israel and of Judah have chosen their course in life...and it does not include Me. In fact, our relationship has broken down so far now...they think My Laws and Instructions are nothing more than fairy tales or a Book that has served its purpose.
    Yes...they have stirred My Anger.......
                                                     But Wait!!

 ...There will be a day...You will return to Me...and all things will be made right...right between My Beloved...and Me."

 

America:.. Ever so grateful for people lke "Annie Moore of Ireland"

Ellis Island was added to the Statue of Liberty National Monument through the Lyndon B. Johnson administration in the early 1970's. Because of this, Ellis Island then became under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service and was restored...becoming the Ellis Island Museum.

 In 1976, the Ellis Island Museum opened to the public, and over 50,000 people visited the museum before the year had concluded. Since it's opening in 1976, more than 20 million people have come and visited this historic site...

 In 1945, a songwriter from Ireland was born...County Tipperary to be exact. His name is Branden Graham, and although by profession he became an Industrial Engineer, his "gift" of songwriting became so apparent that in 1993 he became a full-time songwriter.

 One of the songs he wrote...was of Annie Moore of Ireland...in tribute to her coming to America...through Ellis Island. The lyrics go like this:

                                   Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears...by Branden Graham

 On the first day of January, eighteen ninety two,
 They opened Ellis Island and let the people through,
 And the first to cross the threshold of that isle of hope and tears,
 Was Annie Moore from Ireland...who was all of fifteen years.

 Chorus:
              Isle of hope, Isle of tears,
              Isle of freedom, Isle of fears,
              But it's not the Isle you left behind.
              That Isle of hunger, Isle of pain,
              Isle you'll never see again,
              But the Isle of home is always on your mind.

 In a little bag she carried all her past and history,
 And her dreams for the future in the Land of Liberty.
 And courage is the passport when your old world disappears,
 But there's no future in the past when you're fifteen years.

 Chorus: Repeat

 When they closed down Ellis Island in nineteen forty three,
 Seventeen million people...had come for sanctuary.
 And in the springtime when I came here and stepped onto its peers,
 I thought of how it must have been when you're fifteen years...

 Chorus: Repeat

                                        The End

 A poem for Annie Moore of Ireland....

" Annie Moore of Ireland, lived a quiet life,
   Residing in New York City...on the 4th Ward side.
   Noted for its "rougher type",yet humble and contrite,
   Annie found her home, becoming a part of American pride!

  She married a Joseph Schayer, a baker if truth be known,
  Together they bore 10 children, 5 died before full grown.
  She passed in life quietly, much like her life had been,
  Yet left a living legacy, and forever grateful America is.

  For what a day it was in 1892,
      When Annie Moore of Ireland,
             Came through the "Island's Gate"
                 Joining with her Mom and Dad...
                               In making America great!"

 In my daily prayers,
 When I offer up my praise,
 I remember the "Annie Moores"
 And the "American Dream" they so embraced.
 My heart "runneth over" with gratefulness to what they gave,
 For the freedom and for the dreams...they have now passed on to me!
 In my prayers of silence, it suddenly occurs to me,
 The "Annie Moores of Ireland" understood the meaning...
 "Home of the Brave...and Land of the Free."

                                                           by Myself...Joe Greer