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Biblical Studies

One of Those Moments That Click

Have you ever had one of those moments when something you’ve read or seen or thought you learned suddenly crystalizes for you?  A moment that just clicks?

Categories
Biblical Studies

New Link and a Small Update

Just a note about the new link I added to the blog roll. I added North Point Community Church. I was introduced to Andy Stanley’s sermons by a work mate. I have to say, it is the first place I have worked that has actually had bible studies going on. I had heard about them but never was invited to one. Great stuff.

Also, I have been reading the Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop. It was first published in 1853. I have to say it is enlightening. I have asked my catholic family members about some of the stuff written in it and the consensus seems to be that while some of what is written there may have been true some has also been revised since the 1800s. It seems to be the result of activities engaged in, for the lack of a better term, during Vatican One.

The short of it is, some of the stuff written in the book seems to be different now. From doing further research it appears that some of these activities have changed. However, there is still much that has not changed. The basis of the changing of the holidays remains the same. So to are some of the disturbing revelations to be found in the book about the sources of many of the religions institutional practices that carry through to this day. Not to worry, protestant churches are derived from the practices of the Catholic church.

In the end, it is important to remember that no matter what church you attend, always check what they are telling you with the bible.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! (Galatians 1:8)

It sounds harsh but we are talking about eternity here.

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)

Categories
Biblical Studies

Ask the Why

When reading the bible, ask the why question.  In hunting down the answer you will gain a deeper understanding and a deeper respect for the integrity of the word.  A respect for its content and possibly a revelation or two.  You are certain to learn something not usually taught in Sunday school.

If you have trouble finding the why, put Jesus in the middle of the question.  It will begin to clear things up greatly.

Be careful, you might learn things that make you uncomfortable.  Things directly confrontational with the teachings of modern religious institutions.

Some other keys to understanding:  Let go of your preconceptions.  Read the words on the page.  Do not take anyone’s word as a substitute for scripture.  Listen with an open mind, then look it up to see if it is true.

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Biblical Studies

Connecting the Threads: The Epiphany Story.

It is a few weeks after the traditional epiphany is observed here in the west.  For those who do not know, the epiphany is a name given to the event where the wise men from the east had come to Jesus house to visit and worship him.  The time is now known but it was not on the same day as Jesus’ birth. It could be anytime, possibly up to two years since the birth.

The bible is full of connecting threads.  That is because it is ultimately written by the same author.  It is made up of sixty six books, written by forty different people over a period of thousands of years yet all with the same story and none contradicting the others. For the most part, these guys didn’t even know each other.

Today I am going to connect another one of these threads.

Categories
Biblical Studies

Merry Christmas

Yes, Merry Christmas.  Even if you aren’t currently a christian.  Remember, however, that Christ is not just about one day in a year, He is every day in the year.

If you want to go on a guilt trip, though, read Alexander Hislop’s book “The Two Babylons”.  Especially the part about Tamuz worship, yule logs and decorated trees during the winter solstice.

If you want even more of a guilt trip, read Jeremiah 10.

Before you go getting to feel too guilty, unless you are using the Christmas tree as idol worship, I should think you are ok.

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Biblical Studies

Where is God?

I hear this a lot when tragedy happens. Where is God when such and such happens?

He is in the same place He was when his son was murdered on a cross two thousand years ago.

How can he let this happen?

God gave man choice. Man chooses to do evil. You can’t have it both ways. Believe me, His heart is broken just as much as ours is, and He has been privy to our actions for all of time and knows what is coming down the line.

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Biblical Studies

Connecticut Shooting

Evil exists in the world on many levels and we saw one of the worst levels of it on Friday, 14th. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the children and teachers and workers who were effected by this terrible act.
It may not feel like it right now, but God is with you. While the blame game is being played, remember that the fault lies squarely on the guy who perpetrated this act.

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Biblical Studies

My Experience with Esurance

I have to write this in the case that anyone reading it may be considering using Esurance.

Do not do it. We moved fairly quickly due to a job offer and in our new location we no longer had the option of keeping our former insurance company. Given we had little time, I decided to try out Esurance.

At first, they were very eager for our business. They signed us up after gathering the information they needed and even had me wait on the phone while they did whatever check it is they do. I had forgotten about a cracked windshield claim from 4 years ago but that was straightened out.

So all seemed well. Then a month later, I get a message saying that they think I have other people living at my house that must also be insured. We called and had that straightened out. I knew none of those people. They then claimed that my wife was running with an expired drivers’ licence. Which she is not. We got that straightened out. My sister-in-law lives with us and is also on the policy and they claimed they couldn’t find anything about her. Not really my fault, but we gave them the information they asked for and supposedly already checked out when we originally signed up.

Then we were told they had no proof of prior insurance. So I got that proof and sent it to them. Twice.

A month later, with no warning, I receive an email saying my policy is canceled. A detailed explanation is online in my account. No explanation existed. I called, but was told I had to speak to a policy underwriter and they were closed.

Because of this, I am hosed on getting insurance with next company as I have had them less than a year. My previous company I had for 12.

All worked out, so far. I went with another company. The same coverage is about 10% cheaper and I hope better with their customers.

Again, DO NOT use Esurance. They are an affiliate of Allstate, so I hold that parent company suspect now as well.

Categories
Biblical Studies

Open the Windows of Heaven

“Bring the entire tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. So, put me to the test in this right now,” says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, “and see if I won’t throw open the windows of heaven for you and pour out on you blessing without measure. And I’ll prevent the devourer from harming you, so that he does not destroy the crops of your land. Nor will the vines in your fields drop their fruit,” says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.
(Mal 3:10-11)

Categories
Biblical Studies

Choice and Choosing Life

The bible is full of threads and I want to talk about one of those today.

The bible is made up of 66 books written by 40 authors over thousands of years.  Most of them didn’t even know each other, particularly in the Old Testament.  Yet, there is evidence of an integrated wholeness to the bible that cannot be denied.  There is more than just a thematic sameness to each of the books, there are parts that are connected to each other like a thread connecting parts of a garment.

One of these threads is what I call Choice and Choosing Life.