“For it will be
like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to
them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another
one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
He who had received the five
talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.
So also
he who had the two talents made two talents more.
But he who had received the one
talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
Now after a long time the master of
those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had
received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more,
saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have
made five talents more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful
servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
The Investor
There was an investor who was taking a trip to an area where
he couldn’t see the stock market results. His practice was to invest in
start-up companies and purchased stock to help them get started.
He selected three companies in which to invest. From the
first, A, he purchased 500 shares at $10 per share.
From the second company, B, he purchased 200 shares at $10 ashare.
And from the third company, C, he purchased 100 shares at $10 a share.
When the investor returned, he checked on the value of his
investments. He found that the first company’s, A, stock price had increased
to $50 per share. The investor, impressed, decided to purchase more stock
from company A. The second company's, B, stock had increased to $20 a share, and the third company's, C, stock was still at $10 a share.
So the investor sold his stock in the third company, C, and with the proceeds bought more shares from company A.
I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood.
Love Granddaddy
10/03/2020
The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority.
(ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”
Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
Love Grandaddy
10/4/2020
“Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).”
Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines.
(ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list.
(ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.
Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored.
Love Granddaddy
10/05/2020
Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?
This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spends a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study.
I am terminating this section of letter, again because of its length and this seems to be a good breaking point in the subject matter. With all that we have discussed here the most important point made is in the following scripture”
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The Gospels
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.
Why
First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.
Love Granddaddy
When
As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.
How
Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.
However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.
To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!
Love Granddaddy
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
11/08/2020
Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“
To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.
(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:
(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.
This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.
Love Granddaddy
The Gospels
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.
Why
First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.
Love Granddaddy
When
As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.
How
Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.
However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.
To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!
Love Granddaddy
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
11/08/2020
Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“
To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.
(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:
(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.
This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.
Love Granddaddy
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
10/09/2020
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:
(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Love Granddaddy
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-09 18:47:02','2020-11-09 23:47:02','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/09/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1271,1,'2020-11-11 18:26:59','2020-11-11 23:26:59','
The Gospels
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.
Why
First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.
Love Granddaddy
When
As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.
How
Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.
However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.
To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!
Love Granddaddy
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
11/08/2020
Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“
To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.
(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:
(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.
This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.
Love Granddaddy
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
10/09/2020
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:
(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Love Granddaddy
11/10/2020
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.
Love Granddaddy
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-11 18:26:59','2020-11-11 23:26:59','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/11/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1273,1,'2020-11-11 19:00:03','2020-11-12 00:00:03','
The Gospels
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.
Why
First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.
Love Granddaddy
When
As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.
How
Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.
However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.
To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!
Love Granddaddy
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
11/08/2020
Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“
To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.
(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:
(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.
This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.
Love Granddaddy
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
10/09/2020
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:
(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Love Granddaddy
11/10/2020
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.
Love Granddaddy
11/11/2020
There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.
Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.
Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.
Why
First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.
Love Granddaddy
When
As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.
How
Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.
However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.
To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!
Love Granddaddy
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
11/08/2020
Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“
To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.
(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:
(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.
This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.
Love Granddaddy
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
10/09/2020
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:
(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Love Granddaddy
11/10/2020
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.
Love Granddaddy
11/11/2020
There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.
Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.
Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.
Love Granddaddy
11/12/2020
Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.
“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”
The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.
The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.
During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.
I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because
I love you Granddaddy
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-12 19:33:15','2020-11-13 00:33:15','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/12/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1278,1,'2020-11-15 22:19:38','2020-11-16 03:19:38','
The Gospels
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.
Why
First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.
Love Granddaddy
When
As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.
How
Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.
However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.
To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!
Love Granddaddy
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
11/08/2020
Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“
To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.
(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:
(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.
This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.
Love Granddaddy
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
10/09/2020
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:
(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Love Granddaddy
11/10/2020
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.
Love Granddaddy
11/11/2020
There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.
Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.
Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.
Love Granddaddy
11/12/2020
Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.
“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”
The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.
The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.
During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.
I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because
I love you Granddaddy
11/16/2020
Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God.
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-15 22:19:38','2020-11-16 03:19:38','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/15/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1280,1,'2020-11-15 22:28:26','2020-11-16 03:28:26','
The Gospels
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.
Why
First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.
Love Granddaddy
When
As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.
How
Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.
However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.
To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!
Love Granddaddy
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
11/08/2020
Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“
To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.
(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:
(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.
This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.
Love Granddaddy
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
10/09/2020
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:
(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Love Granddaddy
11/10/2020
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.
Love Granddaddy
11/11/2020
There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.
Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.
Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.
Love Granddaddy
11/12/2020
Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.
“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”
The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.
The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.
During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.
I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because
I love you Granddaddy
11/16/2020
Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged.
Love Granddaddy
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The Gospels
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.
Why
First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.
Love Granddaddy
When
As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.
How
Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.
However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.
To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!
Love Granddaddy
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
11/08/2020
Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“
To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.
(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:
(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.
This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.
Love Granddaddy
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
10/09/2020
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:
(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Love Granddaddy
11/10/2020
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.
Love Granddaddy
11/11/2020
There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.
Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.
Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.
Love Granddaddy
11/12/2020
Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.
“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”
The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.
The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.
During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.
I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because
I love you Granddaddy
11/16/2020
Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged.
Love Granddaddy
It seems, if we follow Hamilton’s book, we can’t get away from a discussion of verbal, plenary inspiration and theopneustos discussed above. But we do need to consider it while reading the creation story. The table below shows a timeline of the verbal, plenary account of the creation vs sciences best guess.
(ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels.
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written.
Why
First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important.
Love Granddaddy
When
As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced.
How
Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use.
However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed.
To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear!
Love Granddaddy
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
11/08/2020
Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“
To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way.
(ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead:
(ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.
This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why.
Love Granddaddy
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
10/09/2020
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example:
(ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Love Granddaddy
11/10/2020
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents.
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented.
Love Granddaddy
11/11/2020
There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”.
Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance.
Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus.
Love Granddaddy
11/12/2020
Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration.
“Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters”
The history of the church seems to emphasize this view.
The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968.
During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down.
I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because
I love you Granddaddy
11/16/2020
Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged.
Love Granddaddy
It seems, if we follow Hamilton’s book, we can’t get away from a discussion of verbal, plenary inspiration and theopneustos discussed above. But we do need to consider it while reading the creation story. The table below shows a timeline of the verbal, plenary account of the creation vs sciences best guess.
Years Ago
Scientific
Verbal, Plenary
4.57 Billion
Earth Formed
500 Million
Multi-Cell Life-Forms
235-65 Million
Dinosaurs
2 Million
prehuman hominids
200 Thousand
anatomically modern humans
6 Thousand
Creation
In discussing the creation, understand that science has some evidence to back up their estimates including the theory of evolution. The Creationist claim the authority for their position. What we have to remember is the purpose of the Bible. It is not a record of science but a theological explanation of the Creation. My view is that God could do it that way if he wanted! Modern science, on the other hand, is built upon a scientific method that starts with a question and follows with observation and reflection, leading to a hypothesis that is then tested, disproven, clarified, or substantiated.
I believe science discovers the rules, God makes them. A young man in Hamilton’s congregation observed, “Any craftsman can build a chair, but how many can design a chair that builds itself and improves over time?”
Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise to work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a graduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to fulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing down for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise by writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her convenience. This web-page contains some of those emails.b 08/26/2020
I know and understand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I won’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you know:
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
\n\n
\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you! \n
\n\n
\n \n Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
\n\n
\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
\n\n
\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
\n\n
\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
\n\n
\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
\n\n
\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
\n\n
\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
\n\n
\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
\n\n
\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/24/2020 \n
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\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt. They were: \n
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Water turned to blood
The Frogs
The gnats
The Flies
The Livestock
The Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of Firstborn
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\n You may sometime want to read the full accounts but at this time I believe you just need to know their names. \n
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\n Before the 10th, God established what we now know as “Passover”. There is a lot of detail starting at Exo 12 but what you need to know is that God had His people spread the blood of lambs on their doors so that the angel of death would “pass over” that household. The firstborn of households not marked were struck down including that of Pharaoh to the livestock. \n
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\n Pharaoh then told Moses to take his people and go. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/25/2020 \n
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\n Read the scripture first, then comment at end. \n
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\n “(ESV) Exo 14: 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” \n
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\n Prior to this scripture was the account of the “Pillars and Clouds” that led the Israelis during the Exodus. Some have suggested that the phenomenon was actually a comet that was known to have been close to earth. I couldn’t find reference to that on the net. \n
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\n What lesson do we get from this scripture? After Pharaoh told Moses to lead the Israelites and leave we now have him sending Egyptians after them to bring them back. The lesson! “You can’t trust a Politician” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/26/2020 \n
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\n This is one of those stories that are, to a degree, confirmed. At the end of this letter I have included a link to a site that discusses how it could happen and give clue that it really happened. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 14:15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. \n
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\n Here is a link that discusses the science. \n
\n\n
\n https://creationday.com/2015/08/scientific-evidence-for-the-parting-of-the-red-sea-2/ \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n \n
\n\n
\n During the exodus there was a lot of whining about what the Israelis endured and God’s responses. IMHO the next significant occurrence was that God gave Moses and his followers the 10 commandments. They represent the framework of the Jewish and Christian Faiths. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Exo 20 The Ten Commandments 1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” \n
\n\n
\n 09/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Following the Ten Commandments is Law for the Israelis. At that time in our, Judaic-Christian, slavery was an accepted practice. Note that the first laws concerned the treatment of slaves. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Exo 21:1 “Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. 2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. 3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out alone. 5 But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ 6 then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever. 7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. 8 If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. 9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. 10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. 11 And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money. \n
\n\n
\n This is by no means a justification for slavery. But it does give you an idea of the Judaeo-Christian path of where we are today. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/29/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Some years back, I read a theologian’s explanation of the law. I tried without success to find that article on the web. Briefly he said there were three buckets: one held the absolute law, like Gravity, that promised immediate reaction if violated; the second held behavioral law, like the Ten Commandments; and the third which held advisory laws, like eating pork which, during the time of Exodus, threatened illness and death. (We have since learned that processes exist that removed that threat). Even though you may not have explicitly learned about those buckets, you have lived in an environment that recognized the differences. \n
\n\n
\n While searching for the article, I came across the following article that gives another view of the law. Using the articles as a backdrop will help you better understand the law. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n https://www.ligonier.org/blog/threefold-use-law/ \n
\n\n
\n 09/30/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This is the final letter in this series. I will start a new one mainly because this post is too large and unwieldy. !!!begin Letters to Dani 2!!! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','publish','open','open','','letters-to-dani','','\nhttps://creationday.com/2015/08/scientific-evidence-for-the-parting-of-the-red-sea-2/','2020-09-30 20:33:01','2020-10-01 00:33:01','',0,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/?p=980',0,'post','',0),(981,1,'2020-09-10 15:50:27','2020-09-10 19:50:27','
\n L \n
\n\n
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
\n\n
\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
\n\n
\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you! \n
\n\n
\n \n Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
\n\n
\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
\n\n
\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
\n\n
\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
\n\n
\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
\n\n
\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
\n\n
\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
\n\n
\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
\n\n
\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
\n\n
\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/06/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
\n\n
\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
\n\n
\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
\n\n
\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
\n\n
\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
\n\n
\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
\n\n
\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
\n\n
\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-10 15:50:27','2020-09-10 19:50:27','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/10/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(983,1,'2020-09-10 15:55:58','2020-09-10 19:55:58','
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','Religious','','inherit','closed','closed','','151-revision-v1','','','2020-09-10 15:55:58','2020-09-10 19:55:58','',151,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/10/151-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(987,1,'2020-09-11 00:47:20','2020-09-11 04:47:20','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
\n\n
\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
\n\n
\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you! \n
\n\n
\n \n Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
\n\n
\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
\n\n
\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
\n\n
\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
\n\n
\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
\n\n
\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
\n\n
\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
\n\n
\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
\n\n
\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
\n\n
\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/06/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
\n\n
\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
\n\n
\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
\n\n
\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
\n\n
\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
\n\n
\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
\n\n
\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
\n\n
\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
\n\n
\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
\n\n
\n Love \n
\n\n
\n Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-11 00:47:20','2020-09-11 04:47:20','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/11/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(986,1,'2020-09-11 00:46:39','2020-09-11 04:46:39','
\n L \n
\n\n
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
\n\n
\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
\n\n
\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you! \n
\n\n
\n \n Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
\n\n
\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
\n\n
\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
\n\n
\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
\n\n
\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
\n\n
\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
\n\n
\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
\n\n
\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
\n\n
\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
\n\n
\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/06/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
\n\n
\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
\n\n
\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
\n\n
\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
\n\n
\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
\n\n
\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
\n\n
\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
\n\n
\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
\n\n
\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
\n\n
\n Love \n
\n\n
\n Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-11 00:46:39','2020-09-11 04:46:39','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/11/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(985,1,'2020-09-11 00:44:53','2020-09-11 04:44:53','
\n L \n
\n\n
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
\n\n
\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
\n\n
\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you! \n
\n\n
\n \n Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
\n\n
\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
\n\n
\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
\n\n
\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
\n\n
\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
\n\n
\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
\n\n
\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
\n\n
\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
\n\n
\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
\n\n
\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/06/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
\n\n
\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
\n\n
\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
\n\n
\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
\n\n
\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
\n\n
\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
\n\n
\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
\n\n
\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
\n\n
\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-11 00:44:53','2020-09-11 04:44:53','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/11/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(989,1,'2020-09-12 22:51:36','2020-09-13 02:51:36','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
\n\n
\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
\n\n
\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you! \n
\n\n
\n \n Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
\n\n
\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
\n\n
\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
\n\n
\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
\n\n
\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
\n\n
\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
\n\n
\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
\n\n
\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
\n\n
\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
\n\n
\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/06/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
\n\n
\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
\n\n
\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
\n\n
\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
\n\n
\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
\n\n
\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
\n\n
\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
\n\n
\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
\n\n
\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-12 22:51:36','2020-09-13 02:51:36','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/12/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(991,1,'2020-09-12 23:10:55','2020-09-13 03:10:55','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-12 23:10:55','2020-09-13 03:10:55','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/12/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(998,1,'2020-09-15 16:32:31','2020-09-15 20:32:31','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-15 16:32:31','2020-09-15 20:32:31','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/15/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(993,1,'2020-09-14 00:59:56','2020-09-14 04:59:56','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-14 00:59:56','2020-09-14 04:59:56','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/14/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(997,1,'2020-09-15 16:31:20','2020-09-15 20:31:20','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-15 16:31:20','2020-09-15 20:31:20','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/15/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(995,1,'2020-09-15 16:25:33','2020-09-15 20:25:33','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-15 16:25:33','2020-09-15 20:25:33','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/15/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1000,1,'2020-09-16 22:37:50','2020-09-17 02:37:50','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
\n\n
\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
\n\n
\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you! \n
\n\n
\n \n Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
\n\n
\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
\n\n
\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
\n\n
\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
\n\n
\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
\n\n
\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
\n\n
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\n\n
\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
\n\n
\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n
\n\n
\n 09/06/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n\n
\n 09/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
\n\n
\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
\n\n
\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n\n
\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n\n
\n 09/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-16 22:37:50','2020-09-17 02:37:50','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/16/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1002,1,'2020-09-17 21:51:48','2020-09-18 01:51:48','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-17 21:51:48','2020-09-18 01:51:48','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/17/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1006,1,'2020-09-20 16:09:14','2020-09-20 20:09:14','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-20 16:09:14','2020-09-20 20:09:14','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/20/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1004,1,'2020-09-19 20:33:15','2020-09-20 00:33:15','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. \nSuddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. \nWhen they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” \n“So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” \nMoses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-19 20:33:15','2020-09-20 00:33:15','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/19/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1008,1,'2020-09-20 16:39:27','2020-09-20 20:39:27','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-20 16:39:27','2020-09-20 20:39:27','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/20/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1029,1,'2020-09-30 20:26:42','2020-10-01 00:26:42','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise to work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a graduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to fulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing down for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise by writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her convenience. This web-page contains some of those emails.b \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/24/2020 \n
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\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt. They were: \n
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Water turned to blood
The Frogs
The gnats
The Flies
The Livestock
The Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of Firstborn
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\n You may sometime want to read the full accounts but at this time I believe you just need to know their names. \n
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\n Before the 10th, God established what we now know as “Passover”. There is a lot of detail starting at Exo 12 but what you need to know is that God had His people spread the blood of lambs on their doors so that the angel of death would “pass over” that household. The firstborn of households not marked were struck down including that of Pharaoh to the livestock. \n
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\n Pharaoh then told Moses to take his people and go. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/25/2020 \n
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\n Read the scripture first, then comment at end. \n
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\n “(ESV) Exo 14: 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” \n
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\n Prior to this scripture was the account of the “Pillars and Clouds” that led the Israelis during the Exodus. Some have suggested that the phenomenon was actually a comet that was known to have been close to earth. I couldn’t find reference to that on the net. \n
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\n What lesson do we get from this scripture? After Pharaoh told Moses to lead the Israelites and leave we now have him sending Egyptians after them to bring them back. The lesson! “You can’t trust a Politician” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/26/2020 \n
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\n This is one of those stories that are, to a degree, confirmed. At the end of this letter I have included a link to a site that discusses how it could happen and give clue that it really happened. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 14:15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. \n
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\n Here is a link that discusses the science. \n
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\n https://creationday.com/2015/08/scientific-evidence-for-the-parting-of-the-red-sea-2/ \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/27/2020 \n
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\n During the exodus there was a lot of whining about what the Israelis endured and God’s responses. IMHO the next significant occurrence was that God gave Moses and his followers the 10 commandments. They represent the framework of the Jewish and Christian Faiths. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 20 The Ten Commandments 1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” \n
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\n 09/28/2020 \n
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\n Following the Ten Commandments is Law for the Israelis. At that time in our, Judaic-Christian, slavery was an accepted practice. Note that the first laws concerned the treatment of slaves. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 21:1 “Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. 2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. 3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out alone. 5 But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ 6 then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever. 7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. 8 If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. 9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. 10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. 11 And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money. \n
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\n This is by no means a justification for slavery. But it does give you an idea of the Judaeo-Christian path of where we are today. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/29/2020 \n
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\n Some years back, I read a theologian’s explanation of the law. I tried without success to find that article on the web. Briefly he said there were three buckets: one held the absolute law, like Gravity, that promised immediate reaction if violated; the second held behavioral law, like the Ten Commandments; and the third which held advisory laws, like eating pork which, during the time of Exodus, threatened illness and death. (We have since learned that processes exist that removed that threat). Even though you may not have explicitly learned about those buckets, you have lived in an environment that recognized the differences. \n
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\n While searching for the article, I came across the following article that gives another view of the law. Using the articles as a backdrop will help you better understand the law. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n https://www.ligonier.org/blog/threefold-use-law/ \n
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\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
\n
\n\n
\n Love \n
\n\n
\n Granddady \n
\n\n
\n 09/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
\n\n
\n
Bathsheba
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\n\n
\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
\n\n
\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
\n\n
\n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
\n\n
\n
Rivka or Rebekah
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\n\n
\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n X \n
\n\n
\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
\n\n
\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
\n\n
\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-22 13:55:57','2020-09-22 17:55:57','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/22/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1013,1,'2020-09-23 13:13:19','2020-09-23 17:13:19','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
\n\n
\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n
\n\n
\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
\n\n
\n \n Love \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n
\n\n
\n 09/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n\n
\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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\n\n
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E. Apocalypse of John
\n
\n\n
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
\n
\n\n
\n Love \n
\n\n
\n Granddady \n
\n\n
\n 09/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
\n\n
\n
Bathsheba
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\n\n
\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
\n\n
\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
\n\n
\n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
\n\n
\n
Rivka or Rebekah
\n
\n\n
\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n X \n
\n\n
\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
\n\n
\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
\n\n
\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-23 13:13:19','2020-09-23 17:13:19','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/23/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1015,1,'2020-09-24 20:47:08','2020-09-25 00:47:08','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
\n\n
\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
\n\n
\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
\n\n
\n \n I love you! \n
\n\n
\n \n Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
\n\n
\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
\n\n
\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
\n\n
\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
\n\n
\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
\n\n
\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
\n\n
\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
\n\n
\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
\n\n
\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
\n\n
\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
\n\n
\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
\n\n
\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/24/2020 \n
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\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-24 20:47:08','2020-09-25 00:47:08','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/24/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1017,1,'2020-09-24 21:14:47','2020-09-25 01:14:47','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/24/2020 \n
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\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt. They were: \n
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Water turned to blood
The Frogs
The gnats
The Flies
The Livestock
The Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of Firstborn
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\n You may sometime want to read the full accounts but at this time I believe you just need to know their names. \n
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\n Before the 10th, God established what we now know as “Passover”. There is a lot of detail starting at Exo 12 but what you need to know is that God had His people spread the blood of lambs on their doors so that the angel of death would “pass over” that household. The firstborn of households not marked were struck down including that of Pharaoh to the livestock. \n
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\n Pharaoh then told Moses to take his people and go. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-24 21:14:47','2020-09-25 01:14:47','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/24/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1019,1,'2020-09-25 13:50:42','2020-09-25 17:50:42','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt. They were: \n
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Water turned to blood
The Frogs
The gnats
The Flies
The Livestock
The Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of Firstborn
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\n You may sometime want to read the full accounts but at this time I believe you just need to know their names. \n
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\n Before the 10th, God established what we now know as “Passover”. There is a lot of detail starting at Exo 12 but what you need to know is that God had His people spread the blood of lambs on their doors so that the angel of death would “pass over” that household. The firstborn of households not marked were struck down including that of Pharaoh to the livestock. \n
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\n Pharaoh then told Moses to take his people and go. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/25/2020 \n
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\n Read the scripture first, then comment at end. \n
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\n “(ESV) Exo 14: 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” \n
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\n Prior to this scripture was the account of the “Pillars and Clouds” that led the Israelis during the Exodus. Some have suggested that the phenomenon was actually a comet that was known to have been close to earth. I couldn’t find reference to that on the net. \n
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\n What lesson do we get from this scripture? After Pharaoh told Moses to lead the Israelites and leave we now have him sending Egyptians after them to bring them back. The lesson! “You can’t trust a Politician” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-25 13:50:42','2020-09-25 17:50:42','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/25/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1021,1,'2020-09-26 15:45:59','2020-09-26 19:45:59','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise\nto work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a\ngraduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to\nfulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing\ndown for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise\nby writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her\nconvenience. This web-page contains some of those emails. \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n 09/24/2020 \n
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\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt. They were: \n
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/24/2020 \n
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\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt. They were: \n
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Water turned to blood
The Frogs
The gnats
The Flies
The Livestock
The Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of Firstborn
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\n You may sometime want to read the full accounts but at this time I believe you just need to know their names. \n
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\n Before the 10th, God established what we now know as “Passover”. There is a lot of detail starting at Exo 12 but what you need to know is that God had His people spread the blood of lambs on their doors so that the angel of death would “pass over” that household. The firstborn of households not marked were struck down including that of Pharaoh to the livestock. \n
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\n Pharaoh then told Moses to take his people and go. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/25/2020 \n
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\n Read the scripture first, then comment at end. \n
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\n “(ESV) Exo 14: 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” \n
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\n Prior to this scripture was the account of the “Pillars and Clouds” that led the Israelis during the Exodus. Some have suggested that the phenomenon was actually a comet that was known to have been close to earth. I couldn’t find reference to that on the net. \n
\n\n
\n What lesson do we get from this scripture? After Pharaoh told Moses to lead the Israelites and leave we now have him sending Egyptians after them to bring them back. The lesson! “You can’t trust a Politician” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/26/2020 \n
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\n This is one of those stories that are, to a degree, confirmed. At the end of this letter I have included a link to a site that discusses how it could happen and give clue that it really happened. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 14:15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. \n
\n\n
\n Here is a link that discusses the science. \n
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\n https://creationday.com/2015/08/scientific-evidence-for-the-parting-of-the-red-sea-2/ \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/27/2020 \n
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\n \n
\n\n
\n During the exodus there was a lot of whining about what the Israelis endured and God’s responses. IMHO the next significant occurrence was that God gave Moses and his followers the 10 commandments. They represent the framework of the Jewish and Christian Faiths. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Exo 20 The Ten Commandments 1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-27 21:55:09','2020-09-28 01:55:09','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/27/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1025,1,'2020-09-28 20:34:37','2020-09-29 00:34:37','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise to work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a graduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to fulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing down for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise by writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her convenience. This web-page contains some of those emails.b \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
\n\n
\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/24/2020 \n
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\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt. They were: \n
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Water turned to blood
The Frogs
The gnats
The Flies
The Livestock
The Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of Firstborn
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\n You may sometime want to read the full accounts but at this time I believe you just need to know their names. \n
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\n Before the 10th, God established what we now know as “Passover”. There is a lot of detail starting at Exo 12 but what you need to know is that God had His people spread the blood of lambs on their doors so that the angel of death would “pass over” that household. The firstborn of households not marked were struck down including that of Pharaoh to the livestock. \n
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\n Pharaoh then told Moses to take his people and go. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/25/2020 \n
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\n Read the scripture first, then comment at end. \n
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\n “(ESV) Exo 14: 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” \n
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\n Prior to this scripture was the account of the “Pillars and Clouds” that led the Israelis during the Exodus. Some have suggested that the phenomenon was actually a comet that was known to have been close to earth. I couldn’t find reference to that on the net. \n
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\n What lesson do we get from this scripture? After Pharaoh told Moses to lead the Israelites and leave we now have him sending Egyptians after them to bring them back. The lesson! “You can’t trust a Politician” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/26/2020 \n
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\n This is one of those stories that are, to a degree, confirmed. At the end of this letter I have included a link to a site that discusses how it could happen and give clue that it really happened. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 14:15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. \n
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\n Here is a link that discusses the science. \n
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\n https://creationday.com/2015/08/scientific-evidence-for-the-parting-of-the-red-sea-2/ \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/27/2020 \n
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\n During the exodus there was a lot of whining about what the Israelis endured and God’s responses. IMHO the next significant occurrence was that God gave Moses and his followers the 10 commandments. They represent the framework of the Jewish and Christian Faiths. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 20 The Ten Commandments 1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” \n
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\n 09/28/2020 \n
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\n Following the Ten Commandments is Law for the Israelis. At that time in our, Judaic-Christian, slavery was an accepted practice. Note that the first laws concerned the treatment of slaves. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 21:1 “Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. 2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. 3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out alone. 5 But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ 6 then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever. 7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. 8 If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. 9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. 10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. 11 And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money. \n
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\n This is by no means a justification for slavery. But it does give you an idea of the Judaeo-Christian path of where we are today. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-28 20:34:37','2020-09-29 00:34:37','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/28/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1027,1,'2020-09-29 14:20:51','2020-09-29 18:20:51','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise to work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a graduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to fulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing down for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise by writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her convenience. This web-page contains some of those emails.b \n
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\n 08/26/2020 \n
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\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
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\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
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\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
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\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
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\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
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\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
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\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
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\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
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\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
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\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/01/2020 \n
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\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
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\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
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\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
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\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
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\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
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\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
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\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
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\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/05/2020 \n
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\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/09/2020 \n
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\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/10/2020 \n
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\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/24/2020 \n
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\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt. They were: \n
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\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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Love Granddaddy
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\n 10/02/2020 \n
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\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
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What do the Scriptures principally teach?
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\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
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\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
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What do the Scriptures make known of God?
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\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
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What is God?
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\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
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Are there more gods than one?
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\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
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\n Love Grandaddy \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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How many persons are there in the Godhead?
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\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
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What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
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\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
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How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
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\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
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What are the decrees of God?
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\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
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What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
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\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
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How doth God execute His decrees?
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\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
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What is the work of creation?
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\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
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How did God create angels?
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\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
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How did God create man?
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\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy
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\n 10/04/2020 \n
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\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
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\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
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\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
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\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
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\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
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\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
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\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
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\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
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\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
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\n He descended into hell. \n
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\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
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\n He ascended into heaven; \n
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\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
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\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
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\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
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\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
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\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
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\n The resurrection of the body; \n
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\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
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The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
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\n The Nicene Creed \n
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\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
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\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
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\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/05/2020 \n
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What are God’s works of providence?
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\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
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What is God’s providence toward the angels?
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\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
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What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
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\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/07/2020 \n
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\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
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\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
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\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
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\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
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\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
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\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
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\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
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\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
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Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
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\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
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What is sin?
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\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
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Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
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\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
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How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
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\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
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What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
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\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in this world?
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\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
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\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
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Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
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\n God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of His mere love and mercy delivereth His elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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Who is the redeemer of God’s elect?
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\n The only redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. \n
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How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
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\n Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. \n
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What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer?
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\n Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. \n
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Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
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\n Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. \n
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Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
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\n Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/10/2020 \n
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How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit. \n
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How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. \n
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What is effectual calling?
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\n Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. \n
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What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
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\n They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. \n
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What is justification?
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\n Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. \n
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What is adoption?
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\n Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God. \n
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What is sanctification?
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\n Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. \n
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What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
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\n The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
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\n The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
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\n At the resurrection, believers, being raised up to glory, shall be openly acknowledged. and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/11/2020 \n
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\n The Ten Commandments discussed below are the basis of religion. Even though the words may be different in other faiths, the fundamental beliefs of all religions that believe in God are the same. And where the discussion in the catechism seem overkill, they serve to train your neural network even more completely. \n
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What is the duty which God requireth of man?
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\n The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to His revealed will. \n
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What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
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\n The rule which God at first revealed to man for His obedience was the moral law. \n
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Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
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\n The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments. \n
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What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
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\n The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves. \n
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What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. \n
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What doth the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God, and redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments. \n
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Which is the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. \n
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What is required in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify Him accordingly. \n
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What is forbidden in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to Him alone. \n
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What are we specially taught by these words, before me, in the first commandment?
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\n These words, before me, in the first commandment teach us that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God. \n
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Which is the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. \n
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What is required in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in His Word. \n
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What is forbidden in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in His Word. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He hath to His own worship. \n
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Which is the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. \n
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What is required in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works. \n
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What is forbidden in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh Himself known. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the third commandment is that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape His righteous judgment. \n
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Which is the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it. \n
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What is required in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as He hath appointed in His Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to Himself. \n
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Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
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\n From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week, ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath. \n
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How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
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\n The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. \n
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What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission, or careless performance, of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God’s allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath day. \n
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Which is the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. \n
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What is required in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals. \n
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What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory, and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment. \n
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Which is the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill. \n
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What is required in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others. \n
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What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. \n
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What is the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery. \n
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What is required in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behaviour. \n
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What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions. \n
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Which is the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. \n
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What is required in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. \n
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What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbor’s, wealth, or outward estate. \n
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Which is the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. \n
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What is required in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness bearing. \n
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What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor’s good name. \n
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Which is the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s. \n
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What is required in the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. \n
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What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/12/2020 \n
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Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
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\n No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed. \n
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Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
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\n Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. \n
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What doth every sin deserve?
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\n Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come. \n
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What doth God require of us, that we may escape His wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
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\n To escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. \n
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What is faith in Jesus Christ?
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\n Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the gospel. \n
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What is repentance unto life?
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\n Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience. \n
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What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
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\n The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, His ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation. \n
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How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
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\n The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation. \n
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How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
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\n That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives. \n
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How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
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\n The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of His Spirit in them that by faith receive them. \n
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What is a sacrament?
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\n A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to believers. \n
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Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
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\n The sacraments of the New Testament are baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. \n
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What is baptism?
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\n Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s. \n
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To whom is baptism to be administered?
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\n Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to Him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized. \n
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What is the Lord’s Supper?
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\n The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, His death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. \n
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What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper?
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\n It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon Him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves. \n
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What is prayer?
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\n Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies. \n
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What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
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\n The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught His disciples, commonly called, The Lord’s prayer. \n
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What doth the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
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\n The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “Our Father which art in heaven,” teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others. \n
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What do we pray for in the first petition?
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\n In the first petition, which is, “Hallowed be thy name,” we pray, that God would enable us and others to glorify Him in all that whereby He maketh Himself known, and that He would dispose all things to His own glory. \n
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What do we pray for in the second petition?
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\n In the second petition, which is, “Thy kingdom come,” we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened. \n
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What do we pray for in the third petition?
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\n In the third petition, which is, “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,” we pray that God, by His grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to His will in all things, as the angels do in heaven. \n
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What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
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\n In the fourth petition, which is, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we pray that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy His blessing with them. \n
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What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
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\n In the fifth petition, which is, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by His grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others. \n
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What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
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\n In the sixth petition, which is, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted. \n
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What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
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\n The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen,” teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise Him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to Him; and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','2. Letters To Dani Continued','','publish','open','open','','2-letters-to-dani-continued','','','2020-10-16 21:08:08','2020-10-17 01:08:08','',0,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1032',0,'post','',0),(1031,1,'2020-09-30 20:32:59','2020-10-01 00:32:59','
\n Before Liz, Gigi to her granddaughters, died, she made me promise to work with Dani to improve her spiritual education. Dani, a graduating senior, had enough on her plate that we were not able to fulfill that promise and before life had even a semblance of slowing down for Dani, she was in California. I decided to fulfill my promise by writing emails daily. Then Dani would be able to read them at her convenience. This web-page contains some of those emails.b \n
\n\n
\n 08/26/2020 \n
\n\n
\n I know and\nunderstand the pressures you are under to leave, so will understand I\nwon’t get a chance to say good bye in person. But this I want you\nknow: \n
\n\n
\n \n I will miss you, even though most of your visits were in conjunction\n with some kind of service, like wrapping my feet, your very presence\n warmed my heart. \n
\n\n
\n \n Know that I will be available to talk with you over any medium, any\n time. If you need anything that I may be able to supply, ask. \n
\n\n
\n \n I suggest you get a Jerusalem Bible, either for your phone or hard\n copy. It is the easiest translation to read. Try to read it daily.\n Your mother and dad have taught you to be a good person. Now I hope\n you spread those “rules” to those around you. Reading your Bible\n will help. \n
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\n \n I love you! \n
\n\n
\n \n Grandaddy \n
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\n 08/27/2020 \n
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\n Before GiGi died she\ninstructed me to discuss our beliefs with you. I knew you were busy\nand used that as an excuse not to do my part. I’m sure you are\ngoing to be busy in San Diego taking another step in your growth. So\nI”m going to fulfill my part of my assignment in a way that may not\ninterfere with your life unless you want it. \n
\n\n
\n \n Often, daily hopefully, I will write a fairly brief email with\n scripture that I think is useful to help you maintain that innate\n goodness I know you have. I only ask you to read it. But I would\n love to discuss it with you, any time and with any medium. \n
\n\n
\n \n You already know the importance of the Lords Prayer and I hope you\n develop the habit of saying it every night. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your GiGi and I were your age, we belonged to a Church Group\n called the Methodist Youth Fellowship that met once a week at our\n respective churches. At the end of each meeting, we would join hands\n and recite the following “The Lord Bless You and Keep You. May the\n Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God show\n you His Face to you and give you Peace.” That is found in Numbers\n 6:24-26. \n
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\n \n I love you and miss you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n
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\n 08/31/2020 \n
\n\n
\n n the King James\nVersion this starts with “Make a joyful noise”. As a choir\ndirector and musician, it was my favorite Psalm. The NIV version may\nbe a more accurate translation but I like the way the KJV starts\nbetter. \n
\n\n
\n \n 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. \n
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\n \n 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; \n
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\n \n come before him with joyful songs. \n
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\n \n 3 Know that the LORD is God. \n
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\n \n It is he who made us, and we are his; \n
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\n \n we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. \n
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\n \n 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving \n
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\n \n and his courts with praise; \n
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\n \n give thanks to him and praise his name. \n
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\n \n 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; \n
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\n \n his faithfulness continues through all generations. \n
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\n \n Love, and miss you too. I count the moments I spend doing these\n emails time spent with you. \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n\n
\n 09/01/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus used parables\nto illustrate his points. One was the parable of the “Good\nSamaritan” \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test\n Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal\n life?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read\n it?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\n with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your\n mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” \n
\n\n
\n \n 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and\n you will live.” \n
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\n \n 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who\n is my neighbor?” \n
\n\n
\n \n 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to\n Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his\n clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest\n happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he\n passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to\n the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a\n Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw\n him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,\n pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey,\n brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took\n out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’\n he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra\n expense you may have.’ \n
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\n \n 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man\n who fell into the hands of robbers?” \n
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\n \n 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” \n
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\n \n Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” \n
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\n The fact that Jesus\nmade a Samaritan the hero is this story is significant. Jews during\nthen did not associate with Samaritans nor the other way round. When\nthe Jews rebuilt the Temple they refused to have Samaritans\nparticipate. As a result an enmity between the two tribes resulted.\nThe Samaritans built their own. \n
\n\n
\n \n When your grandmother and I were your age, the churches we went to\n used this situation as an example of the racism that was prevalent. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n You will often hear\n“Judge not that you be not judged.” I believe you should always\nin context. Sometime soon I will send you a message that God sent to\nEzekiel which led me to the following opinion. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 1 “Do not judge,\n or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others,\n you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be\n measured to you.“ \n
\n\n
\n \n I think verse 2 actually gives you an out. Turning it around I think\n what Jesus was getting across was really, “Don’t hold others to\n a higher standard than you hold yourself.” Remember that Jesus’\n main message was to love one another. I don’t think that meant\n “not having a standard” or not helping your neighbor raise his. \n \n\n \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n\n
\n 09/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Today I had the\noccasion to discuss abortion with a lady from the church. The\nfollowing scripture was what I used to show her what Jesus said about\nchildren. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place\n his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.\n 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little\n children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God\n belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not\n receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/06/2020 \n
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\n The following\nscripture illustrates how important you are. But it still strikes me\nas funny. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its\n saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for\n anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. \n
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\n \n Love from Your salty old \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/07/2020 \n
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\n The verse following\nthe one I sent last night is often quoted by politicians. But Jesus\nis telling us not to hide what we are, and why. \n
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\n \n (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill\n cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under\n a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to\n everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine\n before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your\n Father in heaven. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n \n PS: you are welcome to share these messages with your condo-mates. \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
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\n Your\n great-grandmother Bearden was a Bible Scholar, not one that\n researched the history or meaning in todays world or the like, but\n she knew what was in both the old and New Testament. When Gigi and I\n were in Colorado Springs, we had what is known as the Cuban Crisis\n where the Soviet Union threatened to bomb the United States if we\n didn’t remove a blockade around Cuba. This was before we had\n agreements in place regarding the Atomic Bomb. I worked at Ent AFB\n at a facility called SpaceTrac which was in the same building that\n housed the defense center that tracked missiles launched from the\n Soviet Union. When a threat was detected, the base was locked down\n and no communication between people on the base and families off\n base. Wives and husbands worked out a way to notify those off-base\n if threat existed, even though the base was locked down. When\n Gigi was telling my mother about the plan, my mother asked what she\n would do. Gigi said she would go to a designated place in the\n mountains that would not be affected by an atomic explosion designed\n to take out Ent. My mother responded, “Good. After all that is\n what the Bible says you should do. Head for the hills.” \n
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\n \n I decided to look for where it said that for today’s lesson. \n
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\n \n (NIV)Jos 2:16 Go to the hills\n so the pursuers will not find you. \n
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\n \n (NIV) Gen 13:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and\n when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell\n into them and the rest fled to the hills. \n
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\n \n That is as close as I could get. My mother knew the KJV and I was\n using the NIV translation. BTW the story surrounding Jos 2:16 is\n worth reading. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The previous\n scripture I sent, was from this segment of a story. There are a lot\n of stories like this in the Old Testament. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Jos 2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from\n Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially\n Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute\n named Rahab and stayed there. \n
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\n \n 2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites\n have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of\n Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came\n to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out\n the whole land.” \n
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\n \n 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said,\n “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come\n from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they\n left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly.\n You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the\n roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on\n the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the\n road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the\n pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. \n
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\n \n 8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof\n 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this\n land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all\n who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We\n have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you\n when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the\n two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely\n destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and\n everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God\n is God in heaven above and on the earth below. \n
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\n \n 12 “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show\n kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give\n me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and\n mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them —and\n that you will save us from death.” \n
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\n \n 14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you\n don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and\n faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.” \n
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\n \n 15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the\n house she lived in was part of the \n
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\n \n city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers\n will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they\n return, and then go on your way.” \n
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\n \n 17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear\n will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you\n have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us\n down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your\n brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go\n outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their\n own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the\n house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid\n on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released\n from the oath you made us swear. ” \n
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\n \n 21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” \n
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\n \n So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet\n cord in the window. \n
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\n \n 22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three\n days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and\n returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back.\n They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to\n Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to\n them. 24 They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the\n whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear\n because of us.” \n
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\n \n Thought I might mention, your dad served lobster and steak\n yesterday. \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n \n Granddaddy \n
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\n\n
\n 09/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n In this scripture\n Jesus answers the question of minimum wage and equal pay for equal\n work and tells us the relation of Employee and Employer. Most\n churches take verse 16 as the primary emphasis. Where that may be\n true, other points like in verse 13 and 15 are also important. \n
\n\n
\n \n (NIV) Matt 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner\n who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his\n vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent\n them into his vineyard. \n
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\n \n 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing\n in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go\n and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’\n 5 So they went. \n
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\n \n “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon\n and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out\n and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have\n you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ \n
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\n \n 7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. \n
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\n \n “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ \n
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\n \n 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his\n foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning\n with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ \n
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\n \n 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came\n and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired\n first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also\n received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to\n grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last\n worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them\n equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of\n the day.’ \n
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\n \n 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to\n you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take\n your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the\n same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want\n with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ \n
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\n \n 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” \n
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\n \n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 09/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You will hear political discussions about profits, often how much a company can make during there operation. Some want to control the profit a company, some want to tax what they call excess profits, and some want to punish companies that “gouge” their customers by making too much profits. Oil Companies are often the targets if their profits are greater than 10%. Several years ago, there was an outcry when they made more than these controllers “permitted”. However, Microsoft was making a healthy 39%. The following parable demonstrates how Jesus felt about profits. \n
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\n (NIV) Matt 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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Stories of David
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\n 09/11/2020 \n
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\n This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, beginning when he was only 15. \n
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\n (NIV) 1st Samual 16: 1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” \n
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\n 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n Sept 12, 2020 \n
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The following story I’m sure you have heard. In pursuing this path, I found that the stories of Moses were hard to read from the NIV translation, but found a web-site that published more readable versions. I will note when I use those. The David and Goliath story is from the NIV translation.
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David and Goliath
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\n 1stSa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals! ” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent. 55 As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” 56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.” 57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. 58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” Saul’s Growing Fear of David 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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David’s Marriage
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\n 09/14/2020 \n
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\n This is a rather gory account of what David had to do to marry Saul’s Daughter. \n
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\n (NIV) 1stSA 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. 12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. 17 Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? ” 19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. 28 When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. 30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. \n
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\n Love \n
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\n Grandaddy \n
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\n 09/15/2020 \n
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\n In trying to give you stories about David, I found there was a lot of repetition in the Biblical account. I will continue but will try to give you a more brief account. It also occurred to me that you may need an outline. This is one that I use, \n
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BIBLE OUTLINE
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1. OLD TESTAMENT
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A. Law
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i. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
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ii. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus
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iii. The Third Book of Moses Called Leviticus
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iv. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
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v. The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
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B. Narrative
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i. The Book of Joshua
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ii. The Book of Judges
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iii. The Book of Ruth
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iv. The First Book of Samuel
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v. The Second Book of Samuel
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vi. The First Book of Kings
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vii. The Second Book of Kings
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viii. The First Book of Chronicles
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ix. The Second Book of Chronicles
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x. The Book of Ezra
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xi. The Book of Nehemiah
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xii. The Book of Esther
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C. Wisdom
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i. The Book of Job
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ii. The Book of Psalms
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iii. The Book of Proverbs
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iv. The Book of Ecclesiastes
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v. The Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon or Canticles)
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D. Major Prophets
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i. The Book of Isaiah
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ii. The Book of Jeremiah
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iii. The Book of Lamentations
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iv. The Book of Ezekiel
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E. Minor Prophets
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i. The Book of Hosea
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ii. The Book of Joel
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iii. The Book of Amos
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iv. The Book of Obadiah
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v. The Book of Jonah
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vi. The Book of Micah
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vii. The Book of Nahum
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viii. The Book of Habakkuk
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ix. The Book of Zephaniah
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x. The Book of Haggai
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xi. The Book of Zechariah
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xii. The Book of Malachi
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2. NEW TESTAMENT
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A. The Gospels
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i. The Gospel According to Matthew
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ii. The Gospel According to Mark
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iii. The Gospel According to Luke
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iv. The Gospel According to John
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B. Acts
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i. The Acts of the Apostles
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C. Epistles of Paul
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i. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
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ii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iii. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
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iv. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians
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v. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
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vi. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians
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vii. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians
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viii. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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ix. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians
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x. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xi. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
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xii. The Epistle of Paul to Titus
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xiii. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
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D. General Epistles
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i. The Epistle to the Hebrews
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ii. The General Epistle of James
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iii. The First Epistle of Peter
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iv. The Second Epistle of Peter
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v. The First Epistle of John
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vi. The Second Epistle of John
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vii. The Third Epistle of John
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viii. The Epistle of Jude
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E. Apocalypse of John
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i. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John)
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\n Love \n
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\n Granddady \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories about David and his establishment of his Kingdom. All the stories don’t depict him as being God’s servant as he would like you to believe. This story is one of those. \n
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Bathsheba
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\n When it was spring, it was time to once again attack the Ammonites. Normally David would go with his men, but he decided to stay home. After taking a nap one afternoon, he walked along the sundeck that was on the roof of the palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for a servant and asked, “Who is that woman?” “Oh, her name is Bathsheba. She is the wife of Uriah, one of your 30 fighting men.” David sent for her, so she came to the palace. He slept with her that night. In time she realized she was expecting a baby, and she knew it was from the night she spent with the king. She sent word to David that she was pregnant. He decided he had to hide what he had done. So he immediately sent a message to Joab. “Send Uriah to me.” The soldier arrived and the king asked him, “How is the battle going? Is Joab well?” After Uriah gave a report, the king told him he could go home to his wife before going back to the battle. He even sent a gift for the couple. Uriah left the king, but didn’t go home. He slept the night at the door of the palace with all of the king’s servants. In the morning, the king called him in and asked, “Why didn’t you go home?” “No, I wouldn’t do that. The Ark of God is on the field of battle. The army of Israel sleeps in tents. Joab and his officers are on the field. I can’t go to my house and live in ease. I can’t eat and drink with my wife while they are sacrificing for our nation.” Building a Nation David said, “Stay here one more day, and then I’ll send you back to the battle.” The king then asked Uriah to eat and drink with him. During the course of the evening, David got him drunk. Still, he didn’t go home, but slept on a cot at the palace doors. The next morning David wrote a letter to his commander. “Put Uriah in the front where the fighting is the most fierce. At an assigned moment, have your men fall back, leaving him to die.” The king gave the sealed letter to Uriah, and told him to take it to Joab. He went back to the battle and gave the letter to his commander. Joab obeyed the order and put Uriah at the exact place that was the most dangerous. At the assigned moment, everyone else fell back and Uriah was killed. Bathsheba heard that her husband died in battle, and she mourned his death. Joab continued his battle against the Ammonite capital city. Finally he broke through and captured their water supply. He sent word to David. “Come quickly! Lead the army into the city and capture it so you’ll get the glory.” David went and led the army to victory over the Ammonite cities. He had the Ammonite people totally tear down their walls and all of their buildings. He took everything of value, and put the people to work making bricks. David then went back to Jerusalem. Once Bathsheba’s time of mourning was over, he made her his wife. Soon afterwards, she gave birth to their son. Only God knew about their sin, and he was not pleased. \n
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\n Love and Happy Birthday \n
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\n Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/17/2020 \n
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\n Most of the stories of David are of him as a warrior and establishing his kingdom. I have decided to move on to stories of Moses, However, as an interlude I thought I would share the story of the person after whom a person you know is named. \n
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Rivka or Rebekah
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\n When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.” The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.” “Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.” After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.” Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!” Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married. She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac. After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?” She told the servant the names of her father and Beginnings grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night. She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!” Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.” He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.” Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant. Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?” “Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil. The servant told Isaac all about his trip, and how God led him to just the right woman. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/18/2020 \n
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\n X \n
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\n Moses was born at a time when the Israelites were growing and Pharaoh was concerned enough to limit their growth. Moses was born under a Law seeking to do just that. \n
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\n The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is \nBeginnings \nto be thrown into the Nile River.” \nDuring this time of persecution, a boy was \nborn to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week. \nFinally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother. \nSoon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.” \nMiriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?” \n“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother – the \nmother of the baby. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.” When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and \nthe boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/19/2020 \n
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\n During Moses day, women were not considered equal to men. This and other stories seeks to elevate their importance by illustrating how “heroes” treated them. \n
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\n “Once he got there, he sat down next to a well. Soon seven women came to the well to draw water for their sheep. They were the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. Suddenly, some shepherds come and started to chase the women away. Moses stepped in and defended them. After the fight, he helped the women draw the water for their sheep. When they got back home, Jethro was surprised his daughters were back so soon. They said, “An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds, and he even helped draw water for the flock.” “So where is he? What! Did you leave him at the well? Go get him and invite him to come and have a meal with us.” Moses stayed with Jethro and his family, and eventually married one of his daughters, a woman named Zipporah. Together, they had two sons.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/20/2020 \n
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\n This section, the Exodus, is rather long so I am breaking it into three sections. This is the assignment, where God assigns Moses the job of leading the people out of Egypt. If you compare this with the text, you will find I have left out some of the repetition. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 3:The Burning Bush 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/22/2020 \n
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\n Moses was concerned that his slowness of speech would be inadequate to deal with Pharaoh. So God gave him the tools to convince him. Two facts are evident from this series to me. One is that God becomes angry when we doubt His ability to use us to bring about His will. The second is that, in spite of this, He is patient with us and gives us, not only what we need, but what we think we need. The lesson here is given in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n Although we do what we think is God’s will, it sometimes doesn’t result in what we think should happen. We need to remember that we only have a part in God’s plan. It would be nice if we knew, but it would not be a test of our faith. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 7 Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh 1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/24/2020 \n
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\n Exo 7:14 thru Exo 12:32 includes the description of the ten plagues that was visited on the Egyptians before Pharaoh decided to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt. They were: \n
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Water turned to blood
The Frogs
The gnats
The Flies
The Livestock
The Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of Firstborn
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\n You may sometime want to read the full accounts but at this time I believe you just need to know their names. \n
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\n Before the 10th, God established what we now know as “Passover”. There is a lot of detail starting at Exo 12 but what you need to know is that God had His people spread the blood of lambs on their doors so that the angel of death would “pass over” that household. The firstborn of households not marked were struck down including that of Pharaoh to the livestock. \n
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\n Pharaoh then told Moses to take his people and go. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/25/2020 \n
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\n Read the scripture first, then comment at end. \n
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\n “(ESV) Exo 14: 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” \n
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\n Prior to this scripture was the account of the “Pillars and Clouds” that led the Israelis during the Exodus. Some have suggested that the phenomenon was actually a comet that was known to have been close to earth. I couldn’t find reference to that on the net. \n
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\n What lesson do we get from this scripture? After Pharaoh told Moses to lead the Israelites and leave we now have him sending Egyptians after them to bring them back. The lesson! “You can’t trust a Politician” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/26/2020 \n
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\n This is one of those stories that are, to a degree, confirmed. At the end of this letter I have included a link to a site that discusses how it could happen and give clue that it really happened. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 14:15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. \n
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\n Here is a link that discusses the science. \n
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\n https://creationday.com/2015/08/scientific-evidence-for-the-parting-of-the-red-sea-2/ \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/27/2020 \n
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\n During the exodus there was a lot of whining about what the Israelis endured and God’s responses. IMHO the next significant occurrence was that God gave Moses and his followers the 10 commandments. They represent the framework of the Jewish and Christian Faiths. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 20 The Ten Commandments 1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” \n
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\n 09/28/2020 \n
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\n Following the Ten Commandments is Law for the Israelis. At that time in our, Judaic-Christian, slavery was an accepted practice. Note that the first laws concerned the treatment of slaves. \n
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\n (ESV) Exo 21:1 “Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. 2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. 3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out alone. 5 But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ 6 then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever. 7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. 8 If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. 9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. 10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. 11 And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money. \n
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\n This is by no means a justification for slavery. But it does give you an idea of the Judaeo-Christian path of where we are today. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 09/29/2020 \n
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\n Some years back, I read a theologian’s explanation of the law. I tried without success to find that article on the web. Briefly he said there were three buckets: one held the absolute law, like Gravity, that promised immediate reaction if violated; the second held behavioral law, like the Ten Commandments; and the third which held advisory laws, like eating pork which, during the time of Exodus, threatened illness and death. (We have since learned that processes exist that removed that threat). Even though you may not have explicitly learned about those buckets, you have lived in an environment that recognized the differences. \n
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\n While searching for the article, I came across the following article that gives another view of the law. Using the articles as a backdrop will help you better understand the law. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n https://www.ligonier.org/blog/threefold-use-law/ \n
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\n 09/30/2020 \n
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\n This is the final letter in this series. I will start a new one mainly because this post is too large and unwieldy. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','980-revision-v1','','','2020-09-30 20:32:59','2020-10-01 00:32:59','',980,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/09/30/980-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1037,1,'2020-10-02 00:28:20','2020-10-02 04:28:20','
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\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is his will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is his will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is his will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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Love Granddaddy
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\n 10/02/2020 \n
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\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
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What do the Scriptures principally teach?
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\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
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\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
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What do the Scriptures make known of God?
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\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
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What is God?
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\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
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\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n V \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n The Nicene Creed \n
\n\n
\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
\n\n
\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
\n\n
\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What are God’s works of providence?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God’s providence toward the angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
\n\n
\n
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
\n
\n\n
\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n The Nicene Creed \n
\n\n
\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
\n\n
\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
\n\n
\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What are God’s works of providence?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God’s providence toward the angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
\n\n
\n
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
\n
\n\n
\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n The Nicene Creed \n
\n\n
\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
\n\n
\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
\n\n
\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What are God’s works of providence?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God’s providence toward the angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
\n\n
\n
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
\n
\n\n
\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n The Nicene Creed \n
\n\n
\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
\n\n
\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
\n\n
\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What are God’s works of providence?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God’s providence toward the angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
\n\n
\n
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
\n
\n\n
\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n The Nicene Creed \n
\n\n
\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
\n\n
\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
\n\n
\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What are God’s works of providence?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God’s providence toward the angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
\n\n
\n
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
\n
\n\n
\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
\n\n
\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
\n\n
\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
\n\n
\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
\n\n
\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
\n\n
\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
\n\n
\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n
Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
\n
\n\n
\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
\n\n
\n
Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
\n\n
\n
What is sin?
\n
\n\n
\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
\n\n
\n
Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
\n
\n\n
\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
\n\n
\n
How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
\n
\n\n
\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
\n\n
\n
What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in this world?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
\n\n
\n
Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n The Nicene Creed \n
\n\n
\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
\n\n
\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
\n\n
\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What are God’s works of providence?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God’s providence toward the angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
\n\n
\n
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
\n
\n\n
\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
\n\n
\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
\n\n
\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
\n\n
\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
\n\n
\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
\n\n
\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
\n\n
\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n
Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
\n
\n\n
\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
\n\n
\n
Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
\n\n
\n
What is sin?
\n
\n\n
\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
\n\n
\n
Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
\n
\n\n
\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
\n\n
\n
How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
\n
\n\n
\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
\n\n
\n
What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in this world?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
\n\n
\n
Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n The Nicene Creed \n
\n\n
\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
\n\n
\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
\n\n
\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What are God’s works of providence?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God’s providence toward the angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
\n\n
\n
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
\n
\n\n
\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
\n\n
\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
\n\n
\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
\n\n
\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
\n\n
\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
\n\n
\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
\n\n
\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n
Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
\n
\n\n
\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
\n\n
\n
Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
\n\n
\n
What is sin?
\n
\n\n
\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
\n\n
\n
Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
\n
\n\n
\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
\n\n
\n
How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
\n
\n\n
\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
\n\n
\n
What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in this world?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
\n\n
\n
Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n The Nicene Creed \n
\n\n
\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
\n\n
\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
\n\n
\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What are God’s works of providence?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God’s providence toward the angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
\n\n
\n
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
\n
\n\n
\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
\n\n
\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
\n\n
\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
\n\n
\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
\n\n
\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
\n\n
\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
\n\n
\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n
Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
\n
\n\n
\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
\n\n
\n
Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
\n\n
\n
What is sin?
\n
\n\n
\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
\n\n
\n
Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
\n
\n\n
\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
\n\n
\n
How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
\n
\n\n
\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
\n\n
\n
What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in this world?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
\n\n
\n
Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
\n
\n\n
\n God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of His mere love and mercy delivereth His elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Who is the redeemer of God’s elect?
\n
\n\n
\n The only redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. \n
\n\n
\n
How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. \n
\n\n
\n
What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ executeth the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. \n
\n\n
\n
Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. \n
\n\n
\n
Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
\n
\n\n
\n We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
\n
\n\n
\n The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. \n
\n\n
\n
What is effectual calling?
\n
\n\n
\n Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. \n
\n\n
\n
What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
\n
\n\n
\n They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. \n
\n\n
\n
What is justification?
\n
\n\n
\n Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. \n
\n\n
\n
What is adoption?
\n
\n\n
\n Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God. \n
\n\n
\n
What is sanctification?
\n
\n\n
\n Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
\n
\n\n
\n The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. \n
\n\n
\n
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
\n
\n\n
\n The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection. \n
\n\n
\n
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
\n\n
\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
\n\n
\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
\n\n
\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
\n\n
\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
\n\n
\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
\n\n
\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
\n\n
\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
\n\n
\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
\n\n
\n He descended into hell. \n
\n\n
\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
\n\n
\n He ascended into heaven; \n
\n\n
\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
\n\n
\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
\n\n
\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
\n\n
\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
\n\n
\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
\n\n
\n The resurrection of the body; \n
\n\n
\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n
The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
\n
\n\n
\n The Nicene Creed \n
\n\n
\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
\n\n
\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
\n\n
\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What are God’s works of providence?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God’s providence toward the angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
\n\n
\n
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
\n
\n\n
\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/07/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
\n\n
\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
\n\n
\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
\n\n
\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
\n\n
\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
\n\n
\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
\n\n
\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
\n\n
\n
Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
\n
\n\n
\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
\n\n
\n
Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
\n
\n\n
\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
\n\n
\n
Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
\n\n
\n
What is sin?
\n
\n\n
\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
\n\n
\n
Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
\n
\n\n
\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
\n\n
\n
How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
\n
\n\n
\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
\n\n
\n
What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
\n
\n\n
\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in this world?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
\n
\n\n
\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
\n\n
\n
Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
\n
\n\n
\n God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of His mere love and mercy delivereth His elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
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\n
Who is the redeemer of God’s elect?
\n
\n\n
\n The only redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. \n
\n\n
\n
How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. \n
\n\n
\n
What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ executeth the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. \n
\n\n
\n
Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. \n
\n\n
\n
Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
\n
\n\n
\n Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
\n
\n\n
\n We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
\n
\n\n
\n The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. \n
\n\n
\n
What is effectual calling?
\n
\n\n
\n Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. \n
\n\n
\n
What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
\n
\n\n
\n They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. \n
\n\n
\n
What is justification?
\n
\n\n
\n Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. \n
\n\n
\n
What is adoption?
\n
\n\n
\n Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God. \n
\n\n
\n
What is sanctification?
\n
\n\n
\n Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
\n
\n\n
\n The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. \n
\n\n
\n
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
\n
\n\n
\n The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection. \n
\n\n
\n
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
\n
\n\n
\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
\n\n
\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that there is a God?
\n
\n\n
\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
\n\n
\n
Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/02/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
\n\n
\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
\n\n
\n
What do the Scriptures make known of God?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
\n\n
\n
What is God?
\n
\n\n
\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
\n\n
\n
Are there more gods than one?
\n
\n\n
\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
\n\n
\n Love Grandaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/03/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
\n
\n\n
\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
\n
\n\n
\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
\n\n
\n
What are the decrees of God?
\n
\n\n
\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
\n\n
\n
What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
\n
\n\n
\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
\n\n
\n
How doth God execute His decrees?
\n
\n\n
\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
\n\n
\n
What is the work of creation?
\n
\n\n
\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create angels?
\n
\n\n
\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
\n\n
\n
How did God create man?
\n
\n\n
\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
\n
\n\n
\n 10/04/2020 \n
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\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
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\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
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\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
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\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
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\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
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\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
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\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
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\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
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\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
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\n He descended into hell. \n
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\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
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\n He ascended into heaven; \n
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\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
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\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
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\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
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\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
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\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
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\n The resurrection of the body; \n
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\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
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The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
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\n The Nicene Creed \n
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\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
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\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
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\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/05/2020 \n
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What are God’s works of providence?
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\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
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What is God’s providence toward the angels?
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\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
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What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
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\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/07/2020 \n
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\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
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\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
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\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
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\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
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\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
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\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
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\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
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\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
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Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
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\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
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What is sin?
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\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
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Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
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\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
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How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
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\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
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What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
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\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in this world?
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\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
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\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
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Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
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\n God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of His mere love and mercy delivereth His elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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Who is the redeemer of God’s elect?
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\n The only redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. \n
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How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
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\n Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. \n
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What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer?
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\n Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. \n
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Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
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\n Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. \n
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Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
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\n Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/10/2020 \n
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How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit. \n
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How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. \n
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What is effectual calling?
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\n Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. \n
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What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
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\n They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. \n
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What is justification?
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\n Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. \n
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What is adoption?
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\n Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God. \n
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What is sanctification?
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\n Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. \n
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What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
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\n The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
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\n The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
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\n At the resurrection, believers, being raised up to glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/11/2020 \n
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\n The Ten Commandments discussed below are the basis of religion. Even though the words may be different in other faiths, the fundamental beliefs of all religions that believe in God are the same. And where the discussion in the catechism seem overkill, they serve to train your neural network even more completely. \n
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What is the duty which God requireth of man?
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\n The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to His revealed will. \n
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What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
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\n The rule which God at first revealed to man for His obedience was the moral law. \n
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Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
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\n The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments. \n
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What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
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\n The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves. \n
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What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. \n
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What doth the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God, and redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments. \n
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Which is the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. \n
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What is required in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify Him accordingly. \n
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What is forbidden in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to Him alone. \n
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What are we specially taught by these words, before me, in the first commandment?
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\n These words, before me, in the first commandment teach us that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God. \n
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Which is the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. \n
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What is required in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in His Word. \n
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What is forbidden in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in His Word. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He hath to His own worship. \n
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Which is the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. \n
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What is required in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works. \n
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What is forbidden in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh Himself known. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the third commandment is that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape His righteous judgment. \n
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Which is the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it. \n
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What is required in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as He hath appointed in His Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to Himself. \n
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Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
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\n From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week, ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath. \n
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How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
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\n The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. \n
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What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission, or careless performance, of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God’s allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath day. \n
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Which is the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. \n
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What is required in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals. \n
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What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory, and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment. \n
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Which is the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill. \n
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What is required in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others. \n
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What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. \n
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What is the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery. \n
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What is required in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behaviour. \n
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What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions. \n
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Which is the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. \n
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What is required in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. \n
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What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbor’s, wealth, or outward estate. \n
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Which is the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. \n
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What is required in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness bearing. \n
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What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor’s good name. \n
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Which is the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s. \n
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What is required in the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. \n
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\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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Love Granddaddy
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\n 10/02/2020 \n
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\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
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What do the Scriptures principally teach?
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\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
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\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
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What do the Scriptures make known of God?
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\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
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What is God?
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\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
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Are there more gods than one?
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\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
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\n Love Grandaddy \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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How many persons are there in the Godhead?
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\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
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What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
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\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
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How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
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\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
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What are the decrees of God?
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\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
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What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
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\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
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How doth God execute His decrees?
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\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
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What is the work of creation?
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\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
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How did God create angels?
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\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
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How did God create man?
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\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy
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\n 10/04/2020 \n
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\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
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\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
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\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
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\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
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\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
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\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
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\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
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\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
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\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
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\n He descended into hell. \n
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\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
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\n He ascended into heaven; \n
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\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
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\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
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\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
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\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
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\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
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\n The resurrection of the body; \n
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\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
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The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
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\n The Nicene Creed \n
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\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
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\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
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\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/05/2020 \n
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What are God’s works of providence?
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\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
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What is God’s providence toward the angels?
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\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
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What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
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\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/07/2020 \n
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\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
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\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
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\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
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\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
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\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
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\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
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\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
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\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
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Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
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\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
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What is sin?
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\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
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Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
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\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
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How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
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\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
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What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
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\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in this world?
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\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
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\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
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Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
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\n God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of His mere love and mercy delivereth His elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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Who is the redeemer of God’s elect?
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\n The only redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. \n
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How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
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\n Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. \n
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What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer?
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\n Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. \n
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Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
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\n Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. \n
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Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
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\n Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/10/2020 \n
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How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit. \n
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How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. \n
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What is effectual calling?
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\n Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. \n
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What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
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\n They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. \n
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What is justification?
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\n Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. \n
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What is adoption?
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\n Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God. \n
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What is sanctification?
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\n Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. \n
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What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
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\n The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
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\n The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
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\n At the resurrection, believers, being raised up to glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/11/2020 \n
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\n The Ten Commandments discussed below are the basis of religion. Even though the words may be different in other faiths, the fundamental beliefs of all religions that believe in God are the same. And where the discussion in the catechism seem overkill, they serve to train your neural network even more completely. \n
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What is the duty which God requireth of man?
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\n The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to His revealed will. \n
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What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
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\n The rule which God at first revealed to man for His obedience was the moral law. \n
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Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
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\n The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments. \n
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What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
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\n The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves. \n
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What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. \n
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What doth the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God, and redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments. \n
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Which is the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. \n
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What is required in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify Him accordingly. \n
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What is forbidden in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to Him alone. \n
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What are we specially taught by these words, before me, in the first commandment?
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\n These words, before me, in the first commandment teach us that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God. \n
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Which is the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. \n
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What is required in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in His Word. \n
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What is forbidden in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in His Word. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He hath to His own worship. \n
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Which is the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. \n
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What is required in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works. \n
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What is forbidden in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh Himself known. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the third commandment is that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape His righteous judgment. \n
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Which is the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it. \n
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What is required in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as He hath appointed in His Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to Himself. \n
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Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
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\n From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week, ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath. \n
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How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
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\n The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. \n
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What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission, or careless performance, of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God’s allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath day. \n
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Which is the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. \n
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What is required in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals. \n
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What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory, and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment. \n
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Which is the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill. \n
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What is required in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others. \n
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What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. \n
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What is the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery. \n
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What is required in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behaviour. \n
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What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions. \n
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Which is the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. \n
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What is required in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. \n
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What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbor’s, wealth, or outward estate. \n
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Which is the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. \n
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What is required in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness bearing. \n
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What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor’s good name. \n
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Which is the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s. \n
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What is required in the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. \n
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\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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Love Granddaddy
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\n 10/02/2020 \n
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\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
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What do the Scriptures principally teach?
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\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
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\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
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What do the Scriptures make known of God?
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\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
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What is God?
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\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
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Are there more gods than one?
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\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
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\n Love Grandaddy \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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How many persons are there in the Godhead?
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\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
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What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
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\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
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How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
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\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
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What are the decrees of God?
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\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
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What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
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\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
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How doth God execute His decrees?
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\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
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What is the work of creation?
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\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
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How did God create angels?
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\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
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How did God create man?
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\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy
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\n 10/04/2020 \n
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\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
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\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
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\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
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\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
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\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
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\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
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\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
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\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
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\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
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\n He descended into hell. \n
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\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
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\n He ascended into heaven; \n
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\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
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\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
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\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
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\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
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\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
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\n The resurrection of the body; \n
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\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
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The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
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\n The Nicene Creed \n
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\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
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\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
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\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/05/2020 \n
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What are God’s works of providence?
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\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
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What is God’s providence toward the angels?
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\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
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What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
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\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/07/2020 \n
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\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
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\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
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\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
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\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
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\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
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\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
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\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
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\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
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Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
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\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
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What is sin?
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\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
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Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
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\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
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How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
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\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
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What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
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\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in this world?
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\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
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\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
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Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
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\n God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of His mere love and mercy delivereth His elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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Who is the redeemer of God’s elect?
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\n The only redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. \n
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How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
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\n Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. \n
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What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer?
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\n Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. \n
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Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
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\n Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. \n
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Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
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\n Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. \n
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\n 10/10/2020 \n
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How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit. \n
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How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. \n
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What is effectual calling?
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\n Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. \n
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What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
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\n They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. \n
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What is justification?
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\n Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. \n
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What is adoption?
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\n Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God. \n
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What is sanctification?
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\n Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. \n
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What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
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\n The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
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\n The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
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\n At the resurrection, believers, being raised up to glory, shall be openly acknowledged. and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/11/2020 \n
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\n The Ten Commandments discussed below are the basis of religion. Even though the words may be different in other faiths, the fundamental beliefs of all religions that believe in God are the same. And where the discussion in the catechism seem overkill, they serve to train your neural network even more completely. \n
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What is the duty which God requireth of man?
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\n The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to His revealed will. \n
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What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
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\n The rule which God at first revealed to man for His obedience was the moral law. \n
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Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
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\n The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments. \n
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What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
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\n The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves. \n
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What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. \n
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What doth the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God, and redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments. \n
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Which is the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. \n
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What is required in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify Him accordingly. \n
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What is forbidden in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to Him alone. \n
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What are we specially taught by these words, before me, in the first commandment?
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\n These words, before me, in the first commandment teach us that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God. \n
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Which is the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. \n
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What is required in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in His Word. \n
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What is forbidden in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in His Word. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He hath to His own worship. \n
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Which is the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. \n
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What is required in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works. \n
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What is forbidden in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh Himself known. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the third commandment is that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape His righteous judgment. \n
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Which is the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it. \n
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What is required in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as He hath appointed in His Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to Himself. \n
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Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
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\n From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week, ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath. \n
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How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
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\n The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. \n
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What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission, or careless performance, of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God’s allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath day. \n
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Which is the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. \n
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What is required in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals. \n
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What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory, and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment. \n
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Which is the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill. \n
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What is required in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others. \n
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What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. \n
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What is the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery. \n
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What is required in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behaviour. \n
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What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions. \n
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Which is the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. \n
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What is required in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. \n
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What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbor’s, wealth, or outward estate. \n
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Which is the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. \n
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What is required in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness bearing. \n
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What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor’s good name. \n
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Which is the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s. \n
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What is required in the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. \n
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What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/12/2020 \n
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Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
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\n No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed. \n
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Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
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\n Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. \n
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What doth every sin deserve?
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\n Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come. \n
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What doth God require of us, that we may escape His wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
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\n To escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. \n
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What is faith in Jesus Christ?
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\n Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the gospel. \n
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What is repentance unto life?
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\n Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience. \n
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What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
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\n The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, His ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation. \n
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How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
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\n The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation. \n
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How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
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\n That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives. \n
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How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
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\n The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of His Spirit in them that by faith receive them. \n
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What is a sacrament?
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\n A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to believers. \n
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Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
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\n The sacraments of the New Testament are baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. \n
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What is baptism?
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\n Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s. \n
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To whom is baptism to be administered?
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\n Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to Him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized. \n
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What is the Lord’s Supper?
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\n The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, His death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. \n
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What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper?
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\n It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon Him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves. \n
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What is prayer?
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\n Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies. \n
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What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
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\n The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught His disciples, commonly called, The Lord’s prayer. \n
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What doth the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
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\n The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “Our Father which art in heaven,” teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others. \n
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What do we pray for in the first petition?
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\n In the first petition, which is, “Hallowed be thy name,” we pray, that God would enable us and others to glorify Him in all that whereby He maketh Himself known, and that He would dispose all things to His own glory. \n
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What do we pray for in the second petition?
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\n In the second petition, which is, “Thy kingdom come,” we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened. \n
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What do we pray for in the third petition?
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\n In the third petition, which is, “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,” we pray that God, by His grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to His will in all things, as the angels do in heaven. \n
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What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
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\n In the fourth petition, which is, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we pray that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy His blessing with them. \n
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What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
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\n In the fifth petition, which is, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by His grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others. \n
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What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
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\n In the sixth petition, which is, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted. \n
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What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
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\n Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever. \n
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\n For example, you may not necessarily verbalize this, but you are learning skills both to amaze people and entertain. That is considered glorifying God because that is His will for you. \n
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How doth it appear that there is a God?
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\n The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation. \n
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What is the Word of God?
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\n The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. \n
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How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
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\n The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God. \n
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Love Granddaddy
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\n 10/02/2020 \n
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\n You probably have noticed that I am using regular font for catechism entries and italics for everything else. \n
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What do the Scriptures principally teach?
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\n The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. \n
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\n WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD \n
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What do the Scriptures make known of God?
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\n The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees. \n
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What is God?
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\n God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. \n
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Are there more gods than one?
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\n There is but one only, the living and true God. \n
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\n Love Grandaddy \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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How many persons are there in the Godhead?
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\n There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. \n
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What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
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\n It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. \n
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How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
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\n The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only. \n
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What are the decrees of God?
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\n God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of His will, whereby, from all eternity, He hath, for His own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. \n
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What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
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\n God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of His mere love, for the praise of His glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: and also according to His sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of His own will, (whereby He extendeth or withholdeth favor as He pleaseth), hath passed by, and fore-ordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of His justice. \n
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How doth God execute His decrees?
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\n God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will. \n
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What is the work of creation?
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\n The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of His power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for Himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. \n
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How did God create angels?
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\n God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute His commandments, and to praise His name, yet subject to change. \n
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How did God create man?
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\n After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy
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\n 10/04/2020 \n
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\n There are only two “creeds” that you need to memorize. This is not to suggest you need to do it now. The best way is, most church services repeat one or the other, and that is the way I memorized them. They are printed in hymnals so you can read while the rest of the congregation says them. \n
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\n The Apostles’ Creed \n
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\n I believe in God the Father, Almighty, \n
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\n Maker of heaven and earth; \n
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\n And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; \n
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\n Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, \n
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\n Born of the virgin Mary; \n
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\n Suffered under Pontius Pilate, \n
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\n Was crucified, dead, and buried; \n
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\n He descended into hell. \n
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\n The third day He arose again from the dead; \n
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\n He ascended into heaven; \n
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\n And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; \n
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\n From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. \n
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\n I believe in the Holy Ghost; \n
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\n The holy catholic * church; the communion of saints; \n
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\n The forgiveness of sins; \n
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\n The resurrection of the body; \n
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\n And the life everlasting. Amen. \n
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The word “catholic” refers to the universal church.
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\n The Nicene Creed \n
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\n We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. \n
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\n And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. \n
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\n And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic * and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/05/2020 \n
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What are God’s works of providence?
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\n God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory. \n
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What is God’s providence toward the angels?
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\n God by His providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to His own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at His pleasure, in the administrations of His power, mercy, and justice. \n
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What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which He was created?
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\n The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under His dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/07/2020 \n
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\n Occasionally I read something that I believe is worthy of interrupting the normal flow of this page. Today I read a post by Dave Perkins that effectively answered a question. \n
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\n This is the classical complaint about Christianity and Judaism. David Hume gave it good voice. \n
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\n “Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?” \n
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\n C. S. Lewis knew this quote and asked this same question. If God is good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? But when he set out to disprove Christianity by this sort of pursuit of answers, he ended up on the other end of the same question -- \n
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\n If there is no God, or He is impotent or doesn't care, then why is there GOOD in the world? Why do humans know right from wrong and feel a burden to do right and not do wrong, if there is no God or if God can't or won't impose goodness? If that is the way things are, there should BE no goodness. \n
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\n But there is a LOT of goodness, and it has been here for as long as there have been human beings. So, how to explain the consistency and universality of GOODNESS without God… that is the challenge. Lewis lost the challenge and had to admit God, and not much later he was a Christian. \n
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\n Hume asked the great question but thought it was self-answering. It wasn't. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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\n Again, read these, don’t try to memorize them. I you wish to discuss them let me know. \n
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Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created Him?
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\n Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God, in eating the forbidden fruit, and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created. \n
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Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?
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\n The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity; all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. \n
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Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
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\n The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. \n
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What is sin?
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\n Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. \n
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Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
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\n The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions. \n
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How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
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\n Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin. \n
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What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
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\n The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, His displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world and that which is to come. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in this world?
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\n The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself. \n
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What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
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\n The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire forever. \n
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Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
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\n God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of His mere love and mercy delivereth His elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/09/2020 \n
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Who is the redeemer of God’s elect?
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\n The only redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. \n
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How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
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\n Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. \n
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What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer?
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\n Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. \n
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How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
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\n Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. \n
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Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
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\n Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. \n
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Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
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\n Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/10/2020 \n
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How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit. \n
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How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
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\n The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. \n
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What is effectual calling?
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\n Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. \n
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What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
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\n They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. \n
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What is justification?
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\n Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. \n
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What is adoption?
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\n Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God. \n
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What is sanctification?
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\n Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. \n
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What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
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\n The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
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\n The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection. \n
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What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
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\n At the resurrection, believers, being raised up to glory, shall be openly acknowledged. and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/11/2020 \n
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\n The Ten Commandments discussed below are the basis of religion. Even though the words may be different in other faiths, the fundamental beliefs of all religions that believe in God are the same. And where the discussion in the catechism seem overkill, they serve to train your neural network even more completely. \n
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What is the duty which God requireth of man?
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\n The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to His revealed will. \n
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What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
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\n The rule which God at first revealed to man for His obedience was the moral law. \n
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Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
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\n The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments. \n
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What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
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\n The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves. \n
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What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. \n
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What doth the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?
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\n The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God, and redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments. \n
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Which is the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. \n
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What is required in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify Him accordingly. \n
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What is forbidden in the first commandment?
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\n The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to Him alone. \n
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What are we specially taught by these words, before me, in the first commandment?
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\n These words, before me, in the first commandment teach us that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God. \n
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Which is the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. \n
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What is required in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in His Word. \n
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What is forbidden in the second commandment?
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\n The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in His Word. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He hath to His own worship. \n
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Which is the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. \n
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What is required in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works. \n
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What is forbidden in the third commandment?
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\n The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh Himself known. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the third commandment is that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape His righteous judgment. \n
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Which is the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it. \n
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What is required in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as He hath appointed in His Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to Himself. \n
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Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
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\n From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week, ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath. \n
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How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
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\n The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. \n
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What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
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\n The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission, or careless performance, of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations. \n
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What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
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\n The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God’s allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath day. \n
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Which is the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. \n
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What is required in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals. \n
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What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
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\n The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations. \n
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What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
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\n The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory, and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment. \n
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Which is the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill. \n
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What is required in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others. \n
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What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
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\n The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. \n
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What is the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery. \n
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What is required in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behaviour. \n
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What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
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\n The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions. \n
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Which is the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. \n
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What is required in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. \n
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What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
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\n The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbor’s, wealth, or outward estate. \n
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Which is the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. \n
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What is required in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness bearing. \n
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What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
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\n The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor’s good name. \n
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Which is the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s. \n
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What is required in the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. \n
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What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
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\n The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/12/2020 \n
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Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
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\n No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed. \n
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Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
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\n Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. \n
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What doth every sin deserve?
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\n Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come. \n
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What doth God require of us, that we may escape His wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
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\n To escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. \n
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What is faith in Jesus Christ?
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\n Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the gospel. \n
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What is repentance unto life?
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\n Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience. \n
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What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
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\n The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, His ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation. \n
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How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
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\n The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation. \n
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How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
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\n That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives. \n
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How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
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\n The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of His Spirit in them that by faith receive them. \n
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What is a sacrament?
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\n A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to believers. \n
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Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
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\n The sacraments of the New Testament are baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. \n
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What is baptism?
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\n Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s. \n
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To whom is baptism to be administered?
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\n Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to Him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized. \n
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What is the Lord’s Supper?
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\n The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, His death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. \n
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What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper?
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\n It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon Him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves. \n
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What is prayer?
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\n Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies. \n
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What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
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\n The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught His disciples, commonly called, The Lord’s prayer. \n
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What doth the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
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\n The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “Our Father which art in heaven,” teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others. \n
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What do we pray for in the first petition?
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\n In the first petition, which is, “Hallowed be thy name,” we pray, that God would enable us and others to glorify Him in all that whereby He maketh Himself known, and that He would dispose all things to His own glory. \n
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What do we pray for in the second petition?
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\n In the second petition, which is, “Thy kingdom come,” we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened. \n
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What do we pray for in the third petition?
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\n In the third petition, which is, “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,” we pray that God, by His grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to His will in all things, as the angels do in heaven. \n
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What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
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\n In the fourth petition, which is, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we pray that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy His blessing with them. \n
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What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
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\n In the fifth petition, which is, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by His grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others. \n
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What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
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\n In the sixth petition, which is, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted. \n
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What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
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\n The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen,” teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise Him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to Him; and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','2. Letters To Dani Continued','','inherit','closed','closed','','1032-revision-v1','','','2020-10-14 23:53:09','2020-10-15 03:53:09','',1032,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/14/1032-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1086,1,'2020-10-15 00:55:54','2020-10-15 04:55:54','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
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\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
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\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
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Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
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He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
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\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
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1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 11/2/2020 \n
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Reading Someone Else’s Letters
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\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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\n The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” \n
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\n Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n Love Grandaddy \n
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\n 10/4/2020 \n
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\n “Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).” \n
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\n Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” \n
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\n In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. \n
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\n Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/05/2020 \n
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Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?
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\n This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spends a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study. \n
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\n \n
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\n I am terminating this section of letter, again because of its length and this seems to be a good breaking point in the subject matter. With all that we have discussed here the most important point made is in the following scripture” \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','publish','open','open','','3-letters-to-dani','','','2020-11-06 19:40:52','2020-11-07 00:40:52','',0,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1086',0,'post','',1),(1087,1,'2020-10-15 00:03:29','2020-10-15 04:03:29','The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy.\n\n10/14/2020','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-15 00:03:29','2020-10-15 04:03:29','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/15/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1088,1,'2020-10-15 00:06:28','2020-10-15 04:06:28','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-15 00:06:28','2020-10-15 04:06:28','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/15/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1089,1,'2020-10-15 00:55:54','2020-10-15 04:55:54','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-15 00:55:54','2020-10-15 04:55:54','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/15/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1091,1,'2020-10-15 01:01:18','2020-10-15 05:01:18','
\n
\n
','Religious','','inherit','closed','closed','','151-revision-v1','','','2020-10-15 01:01:18','2020-10-15 05:01:18','',151,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/15/151-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1093,1,'2020-10-15 23:50:24','2020-10-16 03:50:24','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-15 23:50:24','2020-10-16 03:50:24','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/15/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1095,1,'2020-10-15 23:52:45','2020-10-16 03:52:45','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-15 23:52:45','2020-10-16 03:52:45','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/15/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1097,1,'2020-10-16 21:31:46','2020-10-17 01:31:46','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-16 21:31:46','2020-10-17 01:31:46','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/16/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1099,1,'2020-10-18 23:38:55','2020-10-19 03:38:55','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-18 23:38:55','2020-10-19 03:38:55','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/18/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1101,1,'2020-10-19 00:08:38','2020-10-19 04:08:38','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-19 00:08:38','2020-10-19 04:08:38','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/19/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1104,1,'2020-10-20 01:39:23','2020-10-20 05:39:23','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-20 01:39:23','2020-10-20 05:39:23','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/20/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1103,1,'2020-10-20 01:38:36','2020-10-20 05:38:36','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-20 01:38:36','2020-10-20 05:38:36','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/20/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1106,1,'2020-10-21 22:45:59','2020-10-22 02:45:59','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-21 22:45:59','2020-10-22 02:45:59','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/21/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1108,1,'2020-10-21 23:03:27','2020-10-22 03:03:27','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-21 23:03:27','2020-10-22 03:03:27','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/21/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1110,1,'2020-10-22 12:19:23','2020-10-22 16:19:23','
\n
Introduction
\n
\n\n
\n Once there were two towns, both of which had companies that provided employment for most of their residents and provided support for the towns economies. One town was the home of “People’s Products, Inc.” and the other had “Wonderful World of Widgets, Inc.” The companies were pretty much equal in size, produced neat products for national consumption, and had talented engineering and management staffs. They did share one problem. Their success depended to some degree on new product development with just enough stable products to insure survival should a product fail for some reason. It is a well-known rule in a capitalistic society that GROWTH is a necessary element in the survival of a corporation and the corporation that ignores that measure is doomed to eventual failure. \n
\n\n
\n
July 2020
\n
\n\n
\n The\nmarketing organizations of both companies located products that met\ntheir criteria for the next great opportunity for their companies to\ngrow and make their respective towns more prosperous. During July and\nAugust both companies did the engineering and planning required to\nmake a decision as to whether they should proceed. \n
\n\n
\n
August 2020
\n
\n\n
\n “Wonderful\nWidgets, Inc” took the additional step of checking the Felix Magic\nModel that, based on a number of parameters, projected the future\neffects of the project. The two major political parties had laid out\nan economic plan, including a corporate tax of either 20% or 28%, the\nparty planning the 28% claiming that corporations were not paying\ntheir fair share. Another issue was that of the minimum wage. It was\nfairly certain that if one party won, a national minimum wage would\nbe imposed on all corporations. Option 1 assumed the party of the 20%\ntax won. Option 2 assumed the party of the 28% tax won, and Option 3\nassumed a lower ROI for investors, lower average labor cost, a\npositive growth rate near 0 for the company and the town. \n
\n\n
\n
Parameters
\n
\n\n
\n
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
\n Investor Dividend Rate\n
\n 10%\n
\n 10%\n
\n 6%\n
\n Labor, Average Hourly Rate\n
\n $20\n
\n $20\n
\n $19.68\n
\n Corporate Tax Rate\n
\n 20%\n
\n 28%\n
\n 28%\n
\n Material\n
\n $6\n
\n $6\n
\n $6\n
\n Depreciation per Unit\n
\n $6\n
\n $6\n
\n $6\n
\n Overhead Rate\n
\n 50%\n
\n 50%\n
\n 50%\n
\n Cost of Sales Rate\n
\n 50%\n
\n 50%\n
\n 50%\n
\n Price per Unit\n
\n $126.99\n
\n $126.99\n
\n $126.99\n
\n Start-Up Delay\n
\n 1 month\n
\n 1 month\n
\n 1 month\n
\n Initial Build (units)\n
\n 1000\n
\n 1000\n
\n 1000\n
\n
\n\n
\n
Results(after 1st Year)
\n
\n\n
\n
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
\n Dividends\n
\n 1257.62\n
\n 1067.26\n
\n 696.32\n
\n Growth\n
\n 1768.64\n
\n -15944.20\n
\n 4.23\n
\n
\n\n
\n
November
\n
\n\n
\n The\nparty pushing the 28% corporate tax wins the election. “Wonderful\nWidgets” suggested the plan incorporating Option 3 to its Board of\nDirectors and the citizens of the town, many of which, because of a\ngenerous stock option plan, owned stock in the company. Although\nthere was a lot of grumbling, the town accepted the plan and changed\npolitical colors. \n
\n\n
\n “People’s\nProducts” did not change their operation plans even though the\nBoard of Directors recommended they cancel the project. The citizens\nsued the company with the familiar mantra “It is the primary\nresponsibility of the company to provide jobs for the workers” and\nwon, forcing the company to produce a product at a loss. In order to\nsurvive, the company raised the price of their product.\nUnfortunately, the new price, while enough to sustain the company,\nturned out to be too high and sales collapsed. Below are the views\nof the three options as produced by Felix’s Crystal Ball for each\nof the options. Barring further operation of the party in power, like\nrestrictive regulations, “Wonderful Widgets” would survive, but\njust barely. We often look at profits to tell us about the financial\nhealth of a company. But in this instance, Growth was the\ndeterminant. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
','Tale of 2 Towns','','inherit','closed','closed','','952-revision-v1','','','2020-10-22 12:19:23','2020-10-22 16:19:23','',952,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/22/952-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1113,1,'2020-10-23 22:09:10','2020-10-24 02:09:10','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-23 22:09:10','2020-10-24 02:09:10','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/23/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1112,1,'2020-10-23 22:07:21','2020-10-24 02:07:21','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible”. I hope you will pick up a copy. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-23 22:07:21','2020-10-24 02:07:21','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/23/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1115,1,'2020-10-23 22:10:57','2020-10-24 02:10:57','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-23 22:10:57','2020-10-24 02:10:57','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/23/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1122,1,'2020-10-25 21:43:04','2020-10-26 01:43:04','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-25 21:43:04','2020-10-26 01:43:04','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/25/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1117,1,'2020-10-25 21:34:35','2020-10-26 01:34:35','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-25 21:34:35','2020-10-26 01:34:35','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/25/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1119,1,'2020-10-25 21:36:26','2020-10-26 01:36:26','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-25 21:36:26','2020-10-26 01:36:26','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/25/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1121,1,'2020-10-25 21:41:41','2020-10-26 01:41:41','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-25 21:41:41','2020-10-26 01:41:41','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/25/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1124,1,'2020-10-26 20:42:43','2020-10-27 00:42:43','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
\n
\n\n
\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-26 20:42:43','2020-10-27 00:42:43','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/26/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1126,1,'2020-10-28 18:43:58','2020-10-28 22:43:58','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
\n
\n\n
\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
\n\n
\n 10/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-28 18:43:58','2020-10-28 22:43:58','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/28/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1128,1,'2020-10-28 18:55:41','2020-10-28 22:55:41','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
\n
\n\n
\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy, God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed, God’s mercy toward those who sin, God’s healing power for those who are broken. He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us. He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.” \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-28 18:55:41','2020-10-28 22:55:41','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/28/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1214,1,'2020-11-01 19:33:38','2020-11-02 00:33:38','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
\n
\n\n
\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
\n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/29/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
\n\n
\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
\n\n
\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/30/2020 \n
\n\n
\n As you remember in the creeds \n
\n\n
\n \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-01 19:33:38','2020-11-02 00:33:38','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/01/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1209,1,'2020-10-30 15:07:32','2020-10-30 19:07:32','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
\n
\n\n
\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
\n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/29/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
\n\n
\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
\n\n
\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/30/2020 \n
\n\n
\n As you remember in the creeds, Christians believe in a Christ that rose from the dead. Christmas celebrates His birth, but Easter celebrates his Resurrection. I have always thought that Easter was the most important because it was characterized as evidence of an afterlife, the place I look forward to being reunited with Gigi. Where the crucifixion is particularly a “downer”, the resurrection is the most joyful in a Christian’s life. But, as with most stories, it is unique. (ESV) Luke 24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they [Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary(Jesus’s Mother)] went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. \n
\n\n
\n Thanks, my commitment to write you has brought me joy in reading and studying the Bible. Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-30 15:07:32','2020-10-30 19:07:32','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/30/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1130,1,'2020-10-30 14:39:25','2020-10-30 18:39:25','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n
\n
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\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
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\n
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
\n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/29/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
\n\n
\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
\n\n
\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/30/2020 \n
\n\n
\n As you remember in the creeds \n
\n\n
\n \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-30 14:39:25','2020-10-30 18:39:25','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/30/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1207,1,'2020-10-30 15:03:59','2020-10-30 19:03:59','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
\n
\n\n
\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
\n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/29/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
\n\n
\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
\n\n
\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/30/2020 \n
\n\n
\n As you remember in the creeds, Christians believe in a Christ that rose from the dead. Christmas celebrates His birth, but Easter celebrates his Resurrection. I have always thought that Easter was the most important because it was characterized as evidence of an afterlife, the place I look forward to being reunited with Gigi. Where the crucifixion is particularly a “downer”, the resurrection is the most joyful in a Christian’s life. But, as with most stories, it is unique. (ESV) Luke 24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they [Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary(Jesus’s Mother)] went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. \n
\n\n
\n Thanks, my commitment to write you has brought me joy in reading and studying the Bible. Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-30 15:03:59','2020-10-30 19:03:59','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/30/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1213,1,'2020-11-01 19:32:14','2020-11-02 00:32:14','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/20/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/22/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
\n
\n\n
\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
\n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/29/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
\n\n
\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
\n\n
\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/30/2020 \n
\n\n
\n As you remember in the creeds \n
\n\n
\n \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-01 19:32:14','2020-11-02 00:32:14','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/01/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1211,1,'2020-10-30 15:08:44','2020-10-30 19:08:44','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
\n
\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
\n
\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
\n\n
\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
\n\n
\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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The New Testament in Five Minutes
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
\n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
\n\n
\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
\n\n
\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the creeds, Christians believe in a Christ that rose from the dead. Christmas celebrates His birth, but Easter celebrates his Resurrection. I have always thought that Easter was the most important because it was characterized as evidence of an afterlife, the place I look forward to being reunited with Gigi. Where the crucifixion is particularly a “downer”, the resurrection is the most joyful in a Christian’s life. But, as with most stories, it is unique. (ESV) Luke 24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they [Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary(Jesus’s Mother)] went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. \n
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\n Thanks, my commitment to write you has brought me joy in reading and studying the Bible. Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-10-30 15:08:44','2020-10-30 19:08:44','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/10/30/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1216,1,'2020-11-01 20:26:10','2020-11-02 01:26:10','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
\n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
\n\n
\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
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\n
1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
\n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-01 20:26:10','2020-11-02 01:26:10','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/01/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1218,1,'2020-11-02 13:43:24','2020-11-02 18:43:24','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
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\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
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\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
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Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
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He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
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\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
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1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 11/2/2020 \n
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','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-02 13:43:24','2020-11-02 18:43:24','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/02/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1220,1,'2020-11-02 14:01:50','2020-11-02 19:01:50','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
\n
\n\n
\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
\n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/29/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
\n\n
\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
\n\n
\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 10/30/2020 \n
\n\n
\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
\n\n
\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
\n\n
\n 11/1/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
\n\n
\n
1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
\n
\n\n
\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n 11/2/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Reading Someone Else’s Letters
\n
\n\n
\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. \n
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\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
\n\n
\n 10/14/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
The Bible Jesus Used
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\n\n
\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/15/2020 \n
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\n
What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n\n
\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
\n\n
\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
\n\n
\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n 10/18/2020 \n
\n\n
\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/19/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
\n\n
\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
\n\n
\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
\n\n
\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
\n\n
\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
\n\n
\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
\n\n
\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
\n\n
\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/23/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
\n\n
\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/24/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
\n\n
\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
\n\n
\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/25/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The New Testament in Five Minute
\n
\n\n
\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/28/2020 \n
\n\n
\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
\n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/29/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
\n\n
\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
\n\n
\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/30/2020 \n
\n\n
\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
\n\n
\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/1/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
\n\n
\n
1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
\n
\n\n
\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/2/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Reading Someone Else’s Letters
\n
\n\n
\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-02 14:51:08','2020-11-02 19:51:08','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/02/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1224,1,'2020-11-04 14:07:38','2020-11-04 19:07:38','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
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\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
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\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
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Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
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He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
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\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
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1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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\n 11/2/2020 \n
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Reading Someone Else’s Letters
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\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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\n The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumsized \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-04 14:07:38','2020-11-04 19:07:38','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/04/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1226,1,'2020-11-04 14:59:01','2020-11-04 19:59:01','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
\n\n
\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
\n
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\n
\n
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
\n\n
\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
\n\n
\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
\n\n
\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
\n\n
\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
\n\n
\n
1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 11/2/2020 \n
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Reading Someone Else’s Letters
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\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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\n The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” \n
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\n Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n Love Grandaddy \n
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\n 10/4/2020 \n
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\n “Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).” \n
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\n Even though he spends several chapters discussing devotes four chapters to the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 to libertines. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” \n
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\n In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. \n
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\n Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-04 14:59:01','2020-11-04 19:59:01','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/04/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1225,1,'2020-11-04 14:57:25','2020-11-04 19:57:25','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
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\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
\n\n
\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
\n\n
\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
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\n
He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
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\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
\n\n
\n
1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 11/2/2020 \n
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Reading Someone Else’s Letters
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\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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\n The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” \n
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\n Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n Love Grandaddy \n
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\n 10/4/2020 \n
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\n “Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).” \n
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\n Even though he spends several chapters discussing devotes four chapters to the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 to libertines. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” \n
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\n In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. \n
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\n Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-04 14:57:25','2020-11-04 19:57:25','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/04/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1228,1,'2020-11-05 14:09:01','2020-11-05 19:09:01','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
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\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
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\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
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Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
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He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
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\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
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1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 11/2/2020 \n
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Reading Someone Else’s Letters
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\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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\n The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” \n
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\n Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n Love Grandaddy \n
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\n 10/4/2020 \n
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\n “Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).” \n
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\n Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” \n
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\n In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. \n
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\n Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/05/2020 \n
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Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?
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\n This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spend a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study. \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-05 14:09:01','2020-11-05 19:09:01','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/05/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1231,1,'2020-11-05 14:13:14','2020-11-05 19:13:14','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
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\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
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\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
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Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
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He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
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\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
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1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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\n 11/2/2020 \n
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Reading Someone Else’s Letters
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\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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\n The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” \n
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\n Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n 10/4/2020 \n
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\n “Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).” \n
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\n Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” \n
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\n In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. \n
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\n Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored. \n
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\n 10/05/2020 \n
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Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?
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\n This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spends a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study. \n
','3. Letters To Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1086-revision-v1','','','2020-11-05 14:13:14','2020-11-05 19:13:14','',1086,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/05/1086-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1230,1,'2020-11-05 14:11:25','2020-11-05 19:11:25','
\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n Love, Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n 10/24/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
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\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
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\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
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\n
Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
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He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
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\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
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\n
1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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\n 11/2/2020 \n
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Reading Someone Else’s Letters
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\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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\n The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” \n
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\n Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n 10/4/2020 \n
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\n “Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).” \n
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\n Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” \n
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\n In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. \n
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\n Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored. \n
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\n 10/05/2020 \n
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Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?
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\n This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spend a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study. \n
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\n
The Gospels
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
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How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
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\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-06 20:19:16','2020-11-07 01:19:16','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/06/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1239,1,'2020-11-06 20:23:25','2020-11-07 01:23:25','
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\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
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How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
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\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
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\n
Why
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\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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When
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\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
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How
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\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. By the way, I am using the names of the books now, but later we may discuss the opinions about who the actual authors were. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
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\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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When
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\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
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How
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\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
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The Gospels
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
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\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
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\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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When
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\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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\n \n
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The Gospels
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
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The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
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\n 11/08/2020 \n
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\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
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\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
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\n (ESV) Matt 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n 10/23/2020 \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
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\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
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\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
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Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
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He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n 10/29/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
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\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
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1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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Reading Someone Else’s Letters
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\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” \n
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\n Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n “Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).” \n
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\n Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” \n
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\n In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. \n
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\n Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored. \n
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Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?
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\n This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spends a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study. \n
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\n I am terminating this section of letter, again because of its length and this seems to be a good breaking point in the subject matter. With all that we have discussed here the most important point made is in the following scripture”
The Gospels
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
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How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
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\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
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Why
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\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
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When
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\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
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How
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\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
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\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
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\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
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The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
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\n 11/08/2020 \n
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\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
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\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
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\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
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\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
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\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
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\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
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Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
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BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
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\n As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example: \n
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\n (ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. \n
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THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
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\n In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents. \n
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Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
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\n I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented. \n
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\n There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance. \n
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\n Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus. \n
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\n 11/12/2020 \n
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Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
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\n Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration. \n
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\n “Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters” \n
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\n The history of the church seems to emphasize this view. \n
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\n The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968. \n
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\n During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down. \n
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\n I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because \n
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\n 11/16/2020 \n
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\n Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged. \n
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\n It seems, if we follow Hamilton’s book, we can’t get away from a discussion of verbal, plenary inspiration and theopneustos discussed above. But we do need to consider it while reading the creation story. The table below shows a timeline of the verbal, plenary account of the creation vs sciences best guess. \n
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Years Ago
Scientific
Verbal, Plenary
4.57 Billion
Earth Formed
500 Million
Multi-Cell Life-Forms
235-65 Million
Dinosaurs
2 Million
prehuman hominids
200 Thousand
anatomically modern humans
6 Thousand
Creation
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\n In discussing the creation, understand that science has some evidence to back up their estimates including the theory of evolution. The Creationist claim the authority for their position. What we have to remember is the purpose of the Bible. It is not a record of science but a theological explanation of the Creation. My view is that God could do it that way if he wanted! Modern science, on the other hand, is built upon a scientific method that starts with a question and follows with observation and reflection, leading to a hypothesis that is then tested, disproven, clarified, or substantiated. \n
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\n I believe science discovers the rules, God makes them. A young man in Hamilton’s congregation observed, “Any craftsman can build a chair, but how many can design a chair that builds itself and improves over time?” \n
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\n The last of part 2 concluded with a discussion of the Lords Prayer from the catechism. This section will be on what I have learned or remembered as a result of reading the book “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton. I hope you will pick up a copy. It is available for your Kindle ap on your phone. \n
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\n 10/14/2020 \n
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The Bible Jesus Used
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\n We forget that Jesus and the disciples don’t have the same equipment we have. I am writing this using my iPad with an attached keyboard. You will be reading it on your iPhone 1900 miles away. We can put a translation or two or more (I have three) translations of the Bible on our phones. Most of my life, the Bible I had was a book about the size of my iPad and about 2 inches thick. Now consider: books weren’t invented during the time of Jesus. What we call the Old Testament was on a number of scrolls, probably 24 or so, which would be impossible for him to carry from place to place. A first century copy of Isaiah was a scroll was 11 inches wide by 24 feet long. Also the scrolls were hand written, copied by “scribes”. No, no printers either. We know from the accounts in the New Testament that Jesus had access to the scrolls. There is a story about Jesus, at the age of 12, being found with the teachers, presumably discussing something in the scrolls (Luke 2:46–47). \n
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\n 10/15/2020 \n
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What scriptures did Jesus Read?
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\n Because access to the scrolls were limited, one might expect his reading to be limited. However, the writers of the gospels tells us that he mostly read and quoted from Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings). After the 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted, Jesus tells us what He calls “the first and greatest commandment”: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). \n
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\n 10/16/2020 \n
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\n A couple of points came out of Chapter 6 that I didn’t expect, but are very important. One is the explicit warning found in Matt 4:1-10, the temptation of Christ. Because the Devil used scripture in two of the three temptations, one should remember that just because someone quotes scripture does not mean what he or she says is from God or God’s will. And that includes me! \n
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\n Another point is that Jesus routinely challenges the prevailing interpretation of scripture and regularly calls his hearers and the Pharisees to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. He demonstrated this by healing on the Sabbath saying that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). \n
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\n 10/17/2020 \n
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\n Often you find quotations that, in a nutshell describes some of the characteristics of what you understand about Jesus. Adam Hamilton writes, \n
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\n “Jesus’s ethic was a call to live in radical obedience to God. Yet this was coupled with a radical view of grace and an emphasis on God’s love for sinners. Though Jesus clearly called out religious leaders for their hypocrisy, he demonstrated amazing mercy toward tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, drunkards, and thieves. He expressed both a prophetic anger toward religious hypocrites and amazing pastoral concern for the broken and lost.” \n
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\n 10/18/2020 \n
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\n You may remember that I believe God is also speaking to me in Ezekiel 3:16-21. It was interesting that Adam Hamilton felt that Ezekiel 34 shaped Jesus’s sense of identity and mission. I will not post the whole chapter, but the following declaration will give you the idea. In short God expressed his displeasure with the “shepherds” who I take to be the spiritual leaders at the time, because they were enjoying the benefits of their positions but were failing to do their assignment. \n
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\n (ESV) Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” \n
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\n 10/19/2020 \n
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\n Jesus viewed himself as the “Good Shepherd” and the rest of us as neglected sheep. \n
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\n Quoted from “Making Sense of the Bible”: \n
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\n In response to the Pharisees grumbling because Jesus associated with sinners, Jesus said, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4). And in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” \n
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\n 10/20/2020 \n
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\n Having gone to church most of my life, I never really understood why, while Christ was on the cross he said: \n
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\n “(ESV) Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” \n
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\n I didn’t realize he was actually quoting scripture. And if you read the entire chapter you find that is really the beginning of a very positive prayer. \n
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\n (ESV) PSA 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. \n
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\n 10/21/2020 \n
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\n The last important point that is made in Chapter 6 where (Matthew 22) Jesus is asked, “What is the most important commandment?” He gives not one but two: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40). \n
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\n In fact, this is the essence of the Christian faith. Regardless of differences between denominations, this is the foundation. \n
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\n 10/22/2020 \n
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Prophecy, the Old Testament, and the Early Church
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\n This chapter in the book points out that what many Christians believe to be a prophecy of the coming of Christ may be prophecies of multiple events. Some may use this to discredit the disciples’ description of the events. For example, there is a story in Isaiah that recounts God giving a sign to King Ahaz: \n
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\n Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. (Isaiah 7:14–16) \n
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\n This is often given as a prophesy of the birth of Jesus. If fact there is an argument as to whether the word “alma” in Hebrew means “young woman” or “virgin”. Reported in the history of King Ahaz is that 13 years later that prophesy was fulfilled. \n
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\n Does that invalidate that as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus? No according to the author Adam Hamilton. More later. \n
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\n Hamilton believes that Matthew probably knew that the prophesy was fulfilled 13 or so years after it was made when he quoted it in Matt 1:23. Another possibility is that he didn’t know. The second possibility makes it easier for us to accept the words without shaking our beliefs. But in the first instance, it could be that Matthew was accepting the second fulfilling of a prophecy as normal. As Hamilton explains” \n
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\n “But if we understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.e understand that the early Christians and the New Testament writers described this type of foreshadowing as prophecy and understood that Christ was a greater or deeper fulfillment of things God had done in the past—a kind of climactic fulfillment—we can appreciate the original setting of these prophecies and how they point toward the life and ministry of Jesus.” \n
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\n Hamilton gives another example of interpretations. \n
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\n “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). \n
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\n Early Christian interpreted this as pointing to Jesus and his coming Christians. But what could it mean outside the Christian community? A Rabbi would point out that the servant, throughout Isaiah, represents the nation of Israel, and that this passage is about the suffering Israel bore in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile, for the sins of the nation and the nations around her. \n
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\n 10/25/2020 \n
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\n Adam Hamilton suggests that when dealing with the prophecies, one should seek to understand them on three levels: \n
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\n “What did these words mean when Isaiah first wrote them? How were they understood by the people he was addressing?” Then ask, “How did Jesus and the early Christian community reapply and reinterpret these words? What did they mean to Jesus as he was preparing for the cross? What did they mean to early Christians as they reflected upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?” And finally, you should ask, “What might these words mean for my life today? What would God want me to hear from them now?” \n
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The New Testament in Five Minute
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\n Many Christians, including me, don’t pay much attention to the organization of the Bible and am happy that Adam Hamilton gives us this text that provides that information. One church I attended placed a lot of emphasis on organization and counts. At the time, I felt that these numbers were good for bar-room bets but didn’t really reveal much about Jesus. So I am reluctant to present this information. \n
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\n Maybe a table with these counts and facts is enough. \n
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Verses in the Old Testament
23,145
Verses in New Testament
7,958
Percent of Old versus New Testament verses
75%
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Stories of Jesus, the new covenant, Jesus’s commandments.
4
Acts: The Early Church
1
Writings: Reflection of apostles on the life and teachings of Jesus
27
Letters of Paul
21
Book of Revelation
1
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\n 10/27/2020 \n
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\n The Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, mainly tell the stories of Jesus recounting what he did and what he said. They are essential to a Christian’s belief. Most Christian churches in their worship services have spaces for three “readings” from the scripture. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms, and the third from the Gospels. You may have noticed that at Gigi’s memorial service that format was used. Where some denominations may have fewer than the three, rarely will you find one that does not have a reading from the Gospels. Luke in Chapter 19 quotes Jesus saying (ESV) 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That sentence covers the objectives of Jesus. \n
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\n 10/28/2020 \n
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\n This is probably the best summary of the character of God. I hope I can remember to go back to this list as we go forward. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton, “In each of the Gospels, Jesus reveals the heart and character of God. \n
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He demonstrates God’s frustration with religious hypocrisy,
God’s compassion for those who are poor and oppressed,
God’s mercy toward those who sin,
God’s healing power for those who are broken.
He calls human beings into right relationship with God, commands them, above all else, to love God and neighbor, and insists that this love includes compassion for the hungry and forgiveness for those who sin against us.
He even demands that we apply this love to our enemies.”
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\n The Gospels also record the betrayal, trial, denial and crucifixion of Jesus. \n
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\n Betrayal: (ESV) Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Then(ESV) Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” \n
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\n Denial: (ESV) Luke 54:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” \n
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\n Trial: (ESV) Luke 54:66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” \n
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\n Crucifixion: From Wikipedia: “is a method of punishment or capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.“ Details of Jesus’s crucifixion can be found in Luke 23:26-43. \n
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\n 10/30/2020 \n
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\n As you remember in the Creeds, Christians believe in the risen Christ. “He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.” \n
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\n We have two holidays that are most important to Christians, Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Even though, to many, Christmas seems to be celebrated more widely and with seemingly more enthusiasm. But, to me, Easter is the most important. Jesus had suffered for our sins, but the ending, His resurrection, assures us that there is more to life than the 80-100 years we spend on earth. \n
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\n 11/1/2020 \n
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\n The “Acts” tells us stories of the beginning of the church. I read that book and we may go into it more deeply later. For now, I am just going to give a listing of the storied that you may wish to read your self. \n
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1:1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:6
The Ascension
1:12
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
2:1
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
2:42
The Fellowship of Believers
3:1
Lame Beggar Healed
4:1
Peter and John before the Council
4:32
They Had Everything in Common (The Christians try Communism)
5:1
Ananias and Shapiro (Why Communism fails)
6:5
Steven is Seized,... Stoned
8:1
Saul Ravages the Church
8:4
Philip
9:1
Conversion of Saul
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\n The rest of the book deals with incidents associated with the founding of the church and growth of the Christian community in spite of governments’, both civil and established church hierarchy, efforts to suppress them. The message of the Acts is that Christ’s church had the power to change lives, a power it still has today. \n
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Reading Someone Else’s Letters
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\n I am staying with the outline of “Making Sense of the Bible” which deals in order of when various documents were written rather than the order in which they appear in the Bible. Another of those bar room bets, of the documents, 21 of the 27 were letters. I, along with most Christians, assume the Gospels were written first. Paul’s letters written between AD 50 and AD 65 were probably the first. Scholars believe the Gospels were written between AD 65 and AD 95. Why is this important? For me, it helps clarify why the Gospels give a better picture of Jesus. Paul’s letters were more legalistic and commands than the Gospels. By the time the Gospels were written, the nature of Jesus was better understood. \n
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\n 10/03/2020 \n
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\n The first document written was either the letter to the Galatians or 1st Thessalonians. (Another Bar-Room Bet). Along with the book we are following, we will assume it is Galatians. Since Paul was traveling the Roman Empire, Galatia in this case, establishing Christian churches among the Gentiles (non-Jewish), there were always follow-up questions that needed answered. In addition to the follow up questions, Paul and other Apostles starting communities among the Gentiles with groups of “Judaizers” who followed them teaching that in order to become Christians men must be circumcised and follow Judaic law. Apparently some Galatians were accepting this teaching even though it was contrary to what Paul had taught. You can sense this frustration in the first chapters of Galatians where Paul was reasserting his authority. \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” \n
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\n Paul goes on to clarify his message to the Galatians, and us, that \n
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\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
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\n 10/4/2020 \n
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\n “Paul recognized that the challenge of this emphasis on salvation by grace alone is that some might interpret it to mean that so long as you have faith in Christ, you can do whatever comes naturally to you—“whatever feels good, do it.” Such people have been called libertines for their emphasis on a Christian’s liberty, or sometimes antinomians (nomos is the Greek word for Law, hence anti-nomians are those operating lawlessly).” \n
\n\n
\n Even though he devotes several chapters discussing the problem of legalism, chapter 5 and part of chapter 6 he devotes to libertines. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” \n
\n\n
\n In the 6th Chapter, he gives you a list. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 6:19 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. \n
\n\n
\n Does this mean we should dispense with Judaic Law. In my opinion, NO. Much like natural law, like gravity, Judaic Law is often what is discovered to have bad results if ignored. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 10/05/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Who Really Wrote Paul’s Letters?
\n
\n\n
\n This chapter addresses problems theologians have with differences found in Paul’s letters that would suggest he didn’t actually write them. Paul, as suggested in several letters, had a problem with his eyes possibly caused during his conversion. As a result he had amanuensis to which he dictated the letters. In Romans 16:22: “I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” the amanuensis identifies himself. Although the author of “Making Sense of the Bible” spends a chapter explaining away the differences, which make interesting reading, It is not necessary for your study. \n
\n\n
\n \n
\n\n
\n I am terminating this section of letter, again because of its length and this seems to be a good breaking point in the subject matter. With all that we have discussed here the most important point made is in the following scripture” \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
The Gospels
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
\n
\n\n
\n 11/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
\n\n
\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
\n\n
\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
\n\n
\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy
The Gospels
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
\n
\n\n
\n 11/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
\n\n
\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
\n\n
\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
\n\n
\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
\n
\n\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
\n
\n\n
\n As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-09 18:47:02','2020-11-09 23:47:02','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/09/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1271,1,'2020-11-11 18:26:59','2020-11-11 23:26:59','
\n
The Gospels
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
\n
\n\n
\n 11/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
\n\n
\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
\n\n
\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
\n\n
\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
\n
\n\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
\n
\n\n
\n As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
\n
\n\n
\n In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents. \n
\n\n
\n
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
\n
\n\n
\n I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-11 18:26:59','2020-11-11 23:26:59','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/11/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1273,1,'2020-11-11 19:00:03','2020-11-12 00:00:03','
\n
The Gospels
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
\n
\n\n
\n 11/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
\n\n
\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
\n\n
\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
\n\n
\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
\n
\n\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
\n
\n\n
\n As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
\n
\n\n
\n In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents. \n
\n\n
\n
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
\n
\n\n
\n I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/11/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance. \n
\n\n
\n Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-11 19:00:03','2020-11-12 00:00:03','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/11/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1276,1,'2020-11-15 21:13:21','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','Auto Draft','','auto-draft','open','open','','','','','2020-11-15 21:13:21','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1276',0,'post','',0),(1275,1,'2020-11-12 19:33:15','2020-11-13 00:33:15','
\n
The Gospels
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
\n
\n\n
\n 11/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
\n\n
\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
\n\n
\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
\n\n
\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
\n
\n\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
\n
\n\n
\n As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
\n
\n\n
\n In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents. \n
\n\n
\n
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
\n
\n\n
\n I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/11/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance. \n
\n\n
\n Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/12/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
\n
\n\n
\n Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration. \n
\n\n
\n “Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters” \n
\n\n
\n The history of the church seems to emphasize this view. \n
\n\n
\n The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968. \n
\n\n
\n During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down. \n
\n\n
\n I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because \n
\n\n
\n I love you Granddaddy \n
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-12 19:33:15','2020-11-13 00:33:15','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/12/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1278,1,'2020-11-15 22:19:38','2020-11-16 03:19:38','
\n
The Gospels
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
\n
\n\n
\n 11/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
\n\n
\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
\n\n
\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
\n\n
\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
\n
\n\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
\n
\n\n
\n As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
\n
\n\n
\n In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents. \n
\n\n
\n
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
\n
\n\n
\n I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/11/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance. \n
\n\n
\n Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/12/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
\n
\n\n
\n Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration. \n
\n\n
\n “Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters” \n
\n\n
\n The history of the church seems to emphasize this view. \n
\n\n
\n The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968. \n
\n\n
\n During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down. \n
\n\n
\n I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because \n
\n\n
\n I love you Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. \n
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-15 22:19:38','2020-11-16 03:19:38','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/15/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1280,1,'2020-11-15 22:28:26','2020-11-16 03:28:26','
\n
The Gospels
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
\n
\n\n
\n 11/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
\n\n
\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
\n\n
\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
\n\n
\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
\n
\n\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
\n
\n\n
\n As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
\n
\n\n
\n In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents. \n
\n\n
\n
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
\n
\n\n
\n I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/11/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance. \n
\n\n
\n Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/12/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
\n
\n\n
\n Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration. \n
\n\n
\n “Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters” \n
\n\n
\n The history of the church seems to emphasize this view. \n
\n\n
\n The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968. \n
\n\n
\n During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down. \n
\n\n
\n I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because \n
\n\n
\n I love you Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-15 22:28:26','2020-11-16 03:28:26','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/15/1236-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1282,1,'2020-11-16 23:53:26','2020-11-17 04:53:26','
\n
The Gospels
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
\n
\n\n
\n 11/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
\n\n
\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
\n\n
\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
\n\n
\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
\n
\n\n
\n 10/09/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
\n
\n\n
\n As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/10/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
\n
\n\n
\n In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents. \n
\n\n
\n
Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
\n
\n\n
\n I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/11/2020 \n
\n\n
\n There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”. \n
\n\n
\n Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance. \n
\n\n
\n Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/12/2020 \n
\n\n
\n
Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
\n
\n\n
\n Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration. \n
\n\n
\n “Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters” \n
\n\n
\n The history of the church seems to emphasize this view. \n
\n\n
\n The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968. \n
\n\n
\n During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down. \n
\n\n
\n I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because \n
\n\n
\n I love you Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n 11/16/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n It seems, if we follow Hamilton’s book, we can’t get away from a discussion of verbal, plenary inspiration and theopneustos discussed above. But we do need to consider it while reading the creation story. The table below shows a timeline of the verbal, plenary account of the creation vs sciences best guess. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Gal 2:16 “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” \n
\n\n
\n The above quote is to remind us of a central point made in the Bible that Gentile Christians, “us”, should use while discussing Law in the Gospels. \n
\n\n
\n
How, When, and Why the Gospels Were Written
\n
\n\n
\n Again we need to discuss how, when, and why these 4 books were written. \n
\n\n
\n
Why
\n
\n\n
\n First, the why. While the Apostles were alive there was no reason to write record the events of Jesus life. The spoken narrative was enough to pass the stories to the next generation. Even that had dangers, I you ever play the game of rumor, where a line of 10 or more people whisper something the first person says successively down the line and the last person reports what he or she said, the mere transfer of the stories can get garbled. The Disciples realized as they died, some of the stories would be lost or garbled. Gigi and I, realizing we would not be around forever, started a book of memories several years ago. I need to work on it more, but realize I will not remember some of the incidents that Gigi will consider important. \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
When
\n
\n\n
\n As we discussed earlier they were probably written some time after some of Paul’s letters. Biblical Scholars put the dates around 70s or 80s. Why should we care? We need to put the writing in the proper context so we know from other history at the time what these early Christians faced. \n
\n\n
\n
How
\n
\n\n
\n Mathew, Mark, and Luke are considered by scholars as “synoptic gospels”. Obviously there were not copyright laws because similar, often identical texts can be found in all three books. We won’t go in much detail but Adam Hamilton has provided a handy chart that illustrates the relationships. Mark seems to be the primary source that Mathew and Mark use. \n
\n\n
\n However, and where scholars are concerned there always seems to be a however, there is the feeling that, because of various ways the stories are quoted, there were four sources of the material. They refer to these sources as M, Q, Mark, and L. Below is a chart that shows the way information was distributed. \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n To some, these findings cast doubt on the life and teachings of Jesus. Some will say that the Gospels are fiction because of the differing accounts. Some may say the stories are “inspired by God” and will be answered with “If they are inspired, why didn’t they get it right by now?” I liken the books, regardless of how many contributing authors, to observers or reporters who are writing the events as they see them. The message of Jesus still comes through, loud and clear! \n
\n\n
\n Love Granddaddy \n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The Perplexing, Puzzling, and Profound John
\n
\n\n
\n 11/08/2020 \n
\n\n
\n Reading the synoptic Gospels then reading John you will immediately recognize that they are very different. Clement of Alexandra explained John this way. “John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel.” In fact I would suggest that in addition to you reading something from the Old Testament, the synoptic Gospel to get the full effect. Adam Hamilton explains the differences this way. “If I’m looking for answers to questions of when, what, and how, I look to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. If I’m interested in answers to questions of who and why, I turn to John.“ \n
\n\n
\n To illustrate the difference, I looked up the institution of the Last Supper. The Synoptics agree that it was instituted on what would be Jesus’s last Passover. With little difference the Synoptics described it this way. \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) Matt 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. \n
\n\n
\n When I looked at John, I found that he didn’t say anything about the institution of the Last Supper, which was unnecessary, but instead: \n
\n\n
\n (ESV) John 13:4 He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. \n
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\n This is certainly a different aspect of Jesus, but helps understand The Who and why. \n
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\n Love Granddaddy \n
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Which Books Made It into the New Testament and Why
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BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
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\n As discussed earlier, the letters of Paul were the first documents written that found there way into the Bible. Even though purposes of the letters were to encourage young Christian Churches and clarify his teaching, it is likely that the letters were copied and shared in the Christian Community. Prior to those times, members had the eye witnesses to tell them about Jesus. Paul was always clear when he was stating his own opinion versus words coming from Jesus. For Example: \n
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\n (ESV) 1Cor 7:10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. \n
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THE EMERGENCE OF THE GOSPELS AS SCRIPTURE
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\n In Adam Hamilton’s discussion of the emergence of the Gospels, give us an estimate time-line of documents. \n
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Date
Title
Discussion
Late 1st Century
The Didache
Writings of Matthew or Sources that Matthew Used http://www.thedidache.com/
Early 2nd Century
Mark & Matthew
Papias of Hieropolis, mentions their use. He also tells us that Mark was Peter’s interpreter and that his quotation’s of Jesus came from Peter.
2nd Century
First Book resembling a New Testament
Marcion included the Gospel of Luke and ten of Paul’s letters (he did not include the pastoral Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, or Titus https://www.marcionite-scripture.info /Marcionite_Bible.htm).
170 AD
Diatessaron
By Tatian, a student of Justin Martyr, a teacher living in Rome. Included the 4 Gospels https://earlychurch.com/justin-martyr/
End of 2nd Century
The Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache, 1 Clement, Letter of Barnabas.
These were books circulated and used around end of 2nd Century
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\n I will probably add to the above table, and will definitely discuss in more detail later. I have, in addition to Alan Hamilton’s book, read the links provided. I found discussion of Marcion to be particularly interesting because he, like many Christians, had a problem with the depiction of the Old Testament God, and the one Jesus presented. \n
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\n 11/11/2020 \n
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\n There were a number of New Testaments authorized by Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Athanasius. If want details I refer you to Alan Hamilton’s book. In 397, a council in Carthage, Africa, finally adopted a New Testament which declared “Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read in church under the name of divine Scriptures”. \n
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\n Adam Hamilton has listed what he believe is the criteria for acceptance in the New Testament: Usefulness, Consistency, Association, and Acceptance. \n
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\n Where these sections of Hamilton’s books were difficult for me to get through, his presentation gave me a better understanding of their authenticity. I also encourages me to challenge interpretations that do not comply with what I believe about Jesus. \n
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\n 11/12/2020 \n
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Theopneustos or Plenary Inspiration
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\n Theopneustos is a word originated by Paul that means “God-breathed” and often translated as “inspired”. With reference to the Bible, it is used to describe the situation where a writer puts the word to print or uses it and God breaths a meaning by which the reader or hearer is inspired. In the New Testament the writers wrote accounts of Jesus life but the readers must use their own experience, knowledge, and intellect to draw inspiration. \n
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\n “Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.” Scott Barry Kuafmen, “Why Inspiration Matters” \n
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\n The history of the church seems to emphasize this view. \n
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\n The actual wording of Article V of the Methodist Articles of Religion (based upon Article VI of the Anglican Church’s Thirty-Nine Articles) reads, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” The Evangelical United Brethren Church noted, “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.” Both were accepted when the two churches merged to form the United Methodist Church in 1968. \n
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\n During the period of Enlightenment, as a defense to scholars who were challenging every thing, many sects, still in existence today adopted the view that every word in the Bible was the direct word of God. This is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Adam Hamilton, and I, believe this constitutes a “house of cards” because if anything is found to be wrong, the whole house comes down. \n
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\n I recognize that there are better sources of information and explanations. Why do I write these letters? In the hopes that I can inspire you to pursue these subjects further. And because \n
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\n I love you Granddaddy \n
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\n 11/16/2020 \n
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\n Several chapters of Adam Hamilton’s book, 16-18, discuss these issues and if you wish we can discuss these more fully. The point of these chapters, where important, is that, where we as Christians can hear the word of God from the Bible and as stated above, “The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.” we are required to use the life and words of Jesus to be the final arbiters as to whether what we are reading is the Word of God. I try to remember to quote the prayer from Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer to help me when I write these letters but still are aware that my fallibility resides and I prefer to be challenged. \n
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\n It seems, if we follow Hamilton’s book, we can’t get away from a discussion of verbal, plenary inspiration and theopneustos discussed above. But we do need to consider it while reading the creation story. The table below shows a timeline of the verbal, plenary account of the creation vs sciences best guess. \n
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Years Ago
Scientific
Verbal, Plenary
4.57 Billion
Earth Formed
500 Million
Multi-Cell Life-Forms
235-65 Million
Dinosaurs
2 Million
prehuman hominids
200 Thousand
anatomically modern humans
6 Thousand
Creation
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\n In discussing the creation, understand that science has some evidence to back up their estimates including the theory of evolution. The Creationist claim the authority for their position. What we have to remember is the purpose of the Bible. It is not a record of science but a theological explanation of the Creation. My view is that God could do it that way if he wanted! Modern science, on the other hand, is built upon a scientific method that starts with a question and follows with observation and reflection, leading to a hypothesis that is then tested, disproven, clarified, or substantiated. \n
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\n I believe science discovers the rules, God makes them. A young man in Hamilton’s congregation observed, “Any craftsman can build a chair, but how many can design a chair that builds itself and improves over time?” \n
','4. Letters to Dani','','inherit','closed','closed','','1236-revision-v1','','','2020-11-17 00:19:35','2020-11-17 05:19:35','',1236,'http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2020/11/17/1236-revision-
Lately, there has been articles that supposedly were used to restrict voters from voting that couldn't prove they had a third grade education. They were struck down by the court because they discriminated against a particular race. After looking at the questions, I'm glad I have a high school diploma. I don't think I could pass it. However, politics over the past several years convinces me that we should probably revisit that practice. And, yes, it discriminates. Against those who vote without really being interested in what the US is about.
Here are the questions that a US citizen should be able to answer. The first four they must be able to answer. They are instructed to answer with the most correct answers. They must score 80% on the test.
A. Who is the President of the United States?
Bush
Clinton
Obama
Trump
Roberts
Pelosi
Pence
Biden
None of the above
B. Who is the Vice President?
Bush
Clinton
Obama
Trump
Roberts
Pelosi
Pence
Biden
None of the above
C. Who is the Speaker of the House?
Bush
Clinton
Obama
Trump
Roberts
Pelosi
Pence
Biden
None of the above
D. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
Bush
Clinton
Obama
Trump
Roberts
Pelosi
Pence
Biden
None of the above
E. Who succeeds the President if he dies or is incapacitated?
Bush
Clinton
Obama
Trump
Vice President
Roberts
Pelosi
Pence
Biden
None of the above
F. If both the President and his successor die or incapacitated, who succeedes them?
Bush
Clinton
Obama
Trump
Roberts
Pelosi
Speaker of House
Pence
Biden
None of the above
G. The United States is a
Democracy
Republic
Kingdom
Empire
None of the above
H. The economic system of the US is
Communism
Socialism
Capitalism
Methodism
None of the above
I. According to the Declaration, inalienable rights are granted by
God
G_d
Allah
Creator
All of the above
None of the above
J. The Constitution defines the government as having these main parts:
Internal Revenue Service, Justice Department, and State Department
Supreme Court, Congress, President
President, State Department, Department of Defense
President, Senate, House of Representatives
K. "Separation of church and state" is found in
Sharia Law
State Law
United Nations Law
The Constitution
None of the above
L. The "Bill of Rights" is part of
Sharia Law
State Law
United Nations Law
The Constitution
None of the above
M. The supreme law of the land as it applies to individuals is
Sharia Law
State Law
United Nations Law
The Constitution
The jury
None of the above
N. How many Senators are there?
567
2 from each state
the total of Senators allocated by population in each state
100
None of the above
O. How many Representatives are there?
567
2 from each state
the total of Representatives allocated by population in each state and territory
100
None of the above
P. The Constitution gives the power to declare war to the
Supreme Court
President
Department of Defense
Congress
United Nations
None of the above
Q. The Congress
Makes laws
Executes the laws
Determines whether laws are Constitutional
None of the above
1.,2.,3., of the above
R. The President
Makes laws
Executes the laws
Determines whether laws are Constitutional
None of the above
1.,2.,3. of the above
S. The Supreme Court
Makes laws
Executes the laws
Determines whether laws are Constitutional
None of the above
1.,2.,3. of the above
T. The first geographical area of the following of North America to ban slavery was
Vermont
Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
Georgia
New York
Maryland
Virginia
Notes:
Some of the questions have more than one correct answer. Credit is given if the one chooses any one of the correct answers.
Answers
A. 8
B. 9
C. 9
D. 5
E. 5
F. 7
G. 2
H. 3
I. 5
J. 2
K. 5
L. 4
M.4
N. 2 (and 4)
O. 3
P. 4
Q. 1
R. 2
S. 3
T. 4
Tax Break (for the rich) n. money that the government allows someone to keep from what he has earned.
Entitlement n. a right granted by law or contract, especially to financial benefits from the government (particularly when the beneficiary has been playing for the contract for 50 years) .
Contribution(FICA,Medicare,…) n. Taxes. As of the 2012 Election Campaign, Democrats have finally owned up to the fact that what they had sold as payroll contributions are really nothing more than taxes.
Fine or Mandate (for not having health insurance) n. Administration convinced SCOTUS that the fine or mandate in the un"Affordable Healthcare Act" was a tax, making the law constitutional under the 16th Amendment.
Truth n. a snippet of a comment from an opposing candidates comments out of context that forwards a candidates agenda.
Investment n. Additional Tax mainly on the middle class where government gets 75% and object mentioned get 25%.
Share v. Take from someone that has and give to somebody that supports the party in power. (e.g like from investors in General Motors to union members)
Level the playing field. see share.
Proof of Identity. Document required to drive an automobile, pay or receive Social Security, get a job, get into Democratic National Convention, be buried, join the Armed Forces …, but not to vote.
Birther /börthör/ n. 1. A person who exhibits the audacity to read the U.S. Constitution, and then demands that his/her government actually obeys it. 2. A derogatory term developed and used by Leftists and Neo-Cons in a lame attempt to marginalize those who harbor the silly notions that Truth matters, and that Republics perish who refuse to uphold the Rule of Law.
Suggested Rules to Follow
If you don't follow these rules, you may be considered a myrmidon.
Ignore all ads, articles, emails, and videos that do not show the complete quotation of any person.
Listen to targets response to the attack.
Use fact-check sources, both pro and con, to see if they shed light on the truth.
Determine, based on past history and context where the truth lies.
Measure the comments by your own rules of morality.
But for clarification, the workers are the real producers of wealth. They are the farmers who till the fields, the carpenters, bricklayers and architects who build the homes, the factory workers and engineers build the machines to make our lives more comfortable, the modern day hunters who raise livestock, the scientists that discover more about our environment, doctors and other health workers to increase our life span, and the entrepreneurs who have ideas and invest in their realization.
The esquires are an upper class in the United States. Even though the Constitution prohibits titles, the legal profession who have rights not granted to other citizens are granted that title.
The elite are the real power brokers. Since they have somehow reached a point that they are no longer concerned with their wealth, they now believe that they should control the lives of the rest of the citizens. They finance esquires to attain positions in government to make laws and administer the national resources for their benefit. They finance organizations to influence the citizens, control the news, and do whatever is necessary, illegally if required, to accomplish their objectives.
Why this opinion?
Up until now, this writer has rejected this argument that has been posed by so many others, including my own Dad, God rest his soul. Although he did not express his opinions in the same terms, he did believe that there was some sort of class structure in the United States, and that he was part of the worker class. In fact he did not trust his own relative who was a lawyer based on that conviction. Several events have convinced me that there must some truth in these arguments and that the least we should do is recognize that our beloved United States is drifting in that direction.
Firstly, last November, I saw a man elected President of the United States who has less experience than I have running a corporation. He also exhibits a lack of understanding the operation of the capitalistic system and its benefits or he is opposed to it. He seems to believe that profit is evil and that the government can better manage the economy and our lives. He is one of the esquires, and has not yet explained how, a poor college student and community organizer, has been able to accumulate so much wealth in so short a time. One suspects, and there are connections to some of the identified elite, that he is being funded by the elite for their purposes.
Secondly, a man who tortured dogs unmercifully, by mistake, (he claims) has been released from prison and landed a contract for $1 million + to continue his career in football. Someone, somewhere, has pulled the string to authorize that kind of expenditure, in spite of the American culture that considers his crimes beyond the pale morally. Only the elite would have that kind of money, and that kind of control.
Thirdly, we see a Company, General Electric, funding news casts on their own station that support the so-called health-care reform bill. And who is one of the largest beneficiaries of this plan? Have you ever noticed the name on the side of imaging systems, particularly MRIs?
Is this Communism?
Even though there are a lot of similarities to Communism as practiced by the Soviet Union, that is "a family of economic and political ideas and social movements related to the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, or stateless society based on common ownership and control of the means of production and property in general, as well as the name given to such a society", there are a number of differences.
There are still two parties. Obviously, we now face the danger of one party overwhelming the other.
Our society is, at the moment, based on private ownership of property and the means of production. Government ownership of even a portion, and a large portion at that, of parts of the banking segment, the production of automobiles, and the control of the real estate segment via a powerful congressional committee is certainly a remarkable challenge to the private ownership idea which is necessary in a free society.
That we are moving toward a communistic model is undeniable. The efforts underway to control the whole of the medical care is an assumption that the government, the elite, can better make decisions about medical care than the market. The current debate about the "public option" is noise and does not address the concern that the governments has yet to efficiently manage any enterprise, ( the house of ill repute in Nevada, the post office, medicare)
Is this an Oligarchy?
Could be. If so, it is a silent oligarchy where the few or the elite as described above do not necessarily publicize their role. By the way, an oligarchy is "A form of government in which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few." Often, as in the case of the Soviet Union, the public government takes a form such as a socialistic one party system. It is this authors opinion that a one party system is easier to control by the elite and for that reason a government evolving toward a one party system, as is the U.S. Government, is suspect.
How do we tell? Follow the money. Who benefits? A government run healthcare system benefits owners of corporations that sell equipment into those companies. General Electric sells the most expensive equipment into the medical complex. A component of the proposals on the floor is savings by better record keeping. Computers? Microsoft? Does that ring a bell? Who do the major stockholders support?
What has sustained this form?
We have exchanged freedom for security. We fell for the promise that if we contributed only 1% (2% including our employers' contribution) of our income to the government Social Security program, we would be able to retire with an adequate income. Now that 2% has become 12.4% with the promise that it will go bankrupt in less than 20 years. Then came Medicare. That started with 0.7% in 1966, now 2.9%. Now we are to believe that we can put our medical care into the hands of the government that has failed so miserably to estimate the cost of Social Security and Medicare and all it will cost increase our debt $10,000,000,000 by 2020.
Was this what our founders intended?
Anyone who has read and understand the implications of the Declaration of Independence should understand that our founders valued freedom above all else.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created\nequal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable\nrights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of\nhappiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted\namong men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.\nThat whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends,\nit is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to\ninstitute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and\norganizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely\nto effect their safety and happiness."
What many do not remember is the second and third sentences of this paragraph. However, our founders realized that governments can stray from those truths. That it may be necessary to change the form if it does not observe the truths. One should remember that the constitution built our government with those truths in mind. Only when we ignore those truths and the constitution can we stray from its original intent.
What, if anything, can we do now?
We must act now to avoid leaving a bankrupt country, one that literally enslaves its citizens, to our children. We must impress upon our representatives that they are employees of the citizens. We must remove the arrogant Representatives and Senators that tell their employers that the employers are not going to tell them how they are going to run their offices.
We must insist on visibility. And we must examine every proposal with an eye on what it will cost, both in cash, and in freedom.
We must make our opinions known to our representatives, then work to get rid of them if they are not doing their job, part of which is reading and understanding every law, and every part of every law, that they vote for.
And, most importantly, we must make sure that our children are educated and not indoctrinated. We must, as citizens, understand and teach our children history, particularly about our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We must understand why capitalism works in a free society and that profit is not an evil thing and again teach our children what we know. We must try to educate others and we MUST take a stand.
"Lethargy [is] the forerunner of death to the public liberty." --Thomas Jefferson
"The patriot, like the Christian, must learn that to bear reviling and persecutions is a part of his duty; and in proportion as the trial is severe, firmness under it becomes more requisite and praiseworthy. It requires, indeed, self-command. But that will be fortified in proportion as the calls for its exercise are repeated." --Thomas Jefferson
What did our founders do before 1776?
Thomas Jefferson achieved distinction as, among other things, a
horticulturist, statesman, architect, archaeologist, paleontologist,
inventor…
John Adams was a Puritan and a lawyer.
George Washington was a surveyor, planter, which historians defined as those who held 20 or more slaves, and a major in the Virginia at the age of 20.
Benjamin Franklin was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, soldier, and diplomat.
This article was written to make it easier for my readers to understand some of my opinions. I will add to it as questions arise from discussions.
Fundamental
My most fundamental beliefs are inculcated in the Nicene Creed most often said in Christian churches.
"I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."
This is belief. That I cannot prove God I decided long ago. But then his existence cannot be disproved either. And this belief has been help in my life and it is hard not to believe.
Libertarian
Even though I am not a member of the party, I do subscribe to the fundamental libertarian beliefs.
1. committed to the belief that individuals, and not states or groups of any other kind, are both ontologically and normatively primary;
2. that individuals have rights against certain kinds of forcible interference on the part of others;
3. that liberty, understood as non-interference, is the only thing that can be legitimately demanded of others as a matter of legal or political right;
4. that robust property rights and the economic liberty that follows from their consistent recognition are of central importance in respecting individual liberty;
5. that social order is not at odds with but develops out of individual liberty;
6. that the only proper use of coercion is defensive or to rectify an error;
7. that governments are bound by essentially the same moral principles as individuals;
8. and that most existing and historical governments have acted improperly insofar as they have utilized coercion for plunder, aggression, redistribution, and other purposes beyond the protection of individual liberty.
Priesthood
I believe in the \"priesthood of all believers\", that my relationship with God requires no intervening person.
The Bible
I believe the Bible is inspired by God. In it the writers have given us guidance, often very serious, as to how we should live our lives. Because the writers and translators are human we must carefully consider what we read.
Creation
I have included this here only because a reader has made incorrect assumptions about my belief. My belief can best be described as Intelligent Design. There is plenty of scientific evidence that the literal reading of the creation in Genesis cannot be accurate. Where evolution is a widely accepted theory, there are existing scientific problems with that as a theory. Since I wasn\'t there, as well as many who want to debate, I confess I have not studied the subject in detail.
This post was inspired by the number of instances I have responded to questions and posts advocating gun control. I have organized this article so that the reader may use an index of sorts to refer to for comments and questions. I encourage all readers to post corrections to facts in the article and their arguments.
The 2nd Amendment
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
1.1 What Founders Say
1.1.1 George Washington
1.1.2 Federalist Papers - James Madison
James Madison was in his 20s when he contributed articles to what is now called the Federalist Papers.: One paper, No 46, by James Madison discusses the rights of citizens to possess arms. The discussion starts in the final quarter of the paper. “This will not only lessen the call for military establishments, but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens.”
1.2 My Opinion
The current gun laws in view of the founders view and the 2nd Amendment IMHO are not Constitutional. That the laws either have not been challenged, or the SCOTUS has ruled them constitutional, permit them to be in force is OK with me. I am opposed to new more restrictive laws on arms like what many are calling “Assault Weapons”. Knowledgeable self defense proponents say that the AR-15 is one of the best home defense weapons because of its accuracy and reliability. I am not opposed to background checks except I am concerned that the government may deny possession of a firearm unreasonably, like prior military service. As we have found with the no-fly list, it could deny ownership with little or mistaken reason. I am convinced the ownership of firearms prevent more crimes than they cause. Many cite Australia’s experience with gun laws as a reason to extend our own. What they don’t mention is the increase in all the other crime statistics. Personally, I credit the absence of a crime that could seriously injured or killed three people (two relatives) to the presence of a weapon and a person that could use it.
2.0 Positive Use of Arms
"I am a Smith & Wesson 357. Before I retired to GA I was owned by a physician in Detroit. I was called on three times to perform my function. The first time I was removed from the physician's purse to confront a rather large man approaching the physician. On recognizing me, the large man left. The second time, several thugs approached the physician. It was dark and the thugs either did not recognize me or did not believe the physician would pull the trigger. The physician did. The muzzle flash was so bright the thugs were blinded and the physician and I were able to get in her car and leave. The third incident occurred when a thug approached the physician. It was daylight so my muzzle flash was not so bright. The thug continued. I think the second shot hit the assailant, but he left, and so did we."
The Smith & Wesson now belongs to a family where arms are kept, loaded and unlocked. Another two crimes were prevented when an intruder entered the house. Two girls heard the intruder break into a basement door. One went to the phone and dialed 911. The other took a bolt action shotgun from its place and proceeded to meet the intruder coming up the steps. As she approached the stairs, she chambered a shell. The intruder apparently recognized the sound and left the same way he had come. It was over 25 minutes before the police reached the house. After the incident with the girls, alone in the house, the owners posted a sign on the basement door with a picture of the business end of the 357 saying "We don't call 911 first!" There were no incidents after that sign was posted even though there were reports that there were other break-ins. Certainly, five crimes were prevented by these weapons, any one of which could have caused injury or death of the physician or the girls. How many lives were affected? How many lives were saved (the physician is still working)?
The media seldom reports on like incidents or cases where an armed officer in a school prevents mass murders like the one in Maryland, or the armed teacher that took down an shooter before he had time to do any damage. And there is no way to count the times a perpetrator avoid a house or business because he knows or suspects there are arms on the premises.
3.0 Information vs Misinformation
3.1 “Assault Rifle” vs “Assault Weapon”
3.1.1 An automatic weapon is one that fires continuously until the trigger is released or it runs out of ammunition.
3.1.2 A semi automatic weapon requires the trigger to be depressed for each cartridge to be fired. The automatic function refers to the characteristic of the weapon that after a shot is fired the mechanism re-chambers a new round to be fired.
3.1.3 “selective fire” means that a weapon can be used as an automatic or semiautomatic weapon.
3.1.4 “bump stock” is a device that can be used that makes a semi automatic act like an automatic.
3.1.5 The definition of an Assault Rifle used here and all my posts is from the US Army definition:
It must be capable of selective fire
It must have an intermediate-power cartridge: more power than a pistol but less than a standard rifle or battle rifle, such as the 7.92×33mm Kurz, the 7.62x39mm and the 5.56x45mm NATO.
Its ammunition must be supplied from a detachable box magazine.[5]
It must have an effective range of at least 300 metres (330 yards).
And it must have all of the above characteristics
3.1.6 The definition of an Assault Weapon varies depends on the state. For our purposes we will use the following criteria.:
Semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a detachable magazine
Folding or telescoping (collapsible) stock, which reduces the overall length of the firearm
A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon
Bayonet lug, which allows the mounting of a bayonet
Threaded barrel, which can accept devices such as a flash suppressor, Suppressor, compensator or muzzle brake
Grenade launcher
Barrel shroud, which prevents burning of shooter's arm or hand as a safety device.
Must have one or more of above characteristics.
Note that the above definition includes semi-automatic handguns because they have detachable magazines, leaving only revolvers, double barrel shotguns, and long guns with internal magazines as weapons not classified as assault weapons.
3.2 An AR-15 is NOT an “assault rifle” as many allege. Under the above definition it can be classified as an “assault weapon”.
3.3 “Laws are needed to restrict ownership of assault rifles”. The National Firearms Act of 1938 regulates the sale of assault rifles.
3.4 I tend to agree with Mark Twain,
“Facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable. It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics. There are lies, damned lies and statistics. Statistics are used much like a drunk uses a lamppost: for support, not illumination.”
Statistics too often are used to prove a point by the person rather than used as pure research. Regarding gun control you need to look at the source. You can certainly expect charts produced by the liberal media to support their objectives for more gun control. Data is not readily available for me to produce my own charts. If the reader has access to this data I would be glad to produce statics that are more complete. The data required for 2007-2017 are:
Gun Deaths by Year by State,
Gun Purchases by Year by State,
Population by Year by State,
Gun Deaths by by Year by cause (suicide, accident, mass, violence) by Youth Age Bracket (0-15, 16-24, over 24 any brackets are acceptable including those listed here)
Gun Deaths by Year by cause.
I will continue gathering the data but will accept the any help. I can accept data in .csv format. The best source is CDC.
4.0 Limited Resources
Conservatives recognize that our government, in fact our culture of freedom, has limited resources. Acting on that knowledge, they automatically think of problems whose seriousness and magnitude require some of those limited resources. A good corporate manager, including the president, considers those limits in every decision.
All families face the same issue. However there are many, including the recipients of welfare, some of very rich, and many educators who either believe resources are unlimited or that the resources can be managed better by the government than by individuals.
By either knowingly or accidentally using techniques described by Saul Alinsky to further their objectives of gaining more and more control over the citizens, they use emotionally charged issues like “gun control” and fund activities like “March for Our Lives”. YES, I AM AS CONCERNED ABOUT CHILDREN BEING MURDERED AS THE WELL MEANING YOUNG ADULTS. However, it must be considered along with other problems we face as a free culture with limited resources.
Here are some of those issues:
Atomic armed North Korea with ability to bomb cities in the United States, the top responsibility of the Federal Government is to protect the citizens of the United States from foreign invasion.
Atomic armed Iran.
Illegal Immigration which demands expenditures in education, permits criminals to injure U.S. Citizens and formits the drug trade.
Russian expansion activities.
Automobile deaths of about 3300 a day.
The opioid crisis, and other drug problems that are taking 1000 lives a day.
Care of our veterans.
Government funding of murder of 300000+ unborn babies. Even though the Supreme Court has ruled, Roe vs Wade, that abortions are legal, it is contrary to the First Amendment to force taxpayers to fund them.
School shootings. Even though one student death is too many, we must recognize that the trend of such incidents is down even though one, based on media coverage, might reasonably conclude it was up. Prevention of those attacks can best be handled by the states, as Florida did.
The order is my opinion of the order of importance. Even so, considering our limited resources, it is difficult for me to justify placing “School Shootings” and the associated push for limiting the right of self protection high in the list, and, on a personal level, sacrificing the lives of the three people I know on the altar of well meaning gun control advocates.
5.0 Young Adult Participation
I am encouraged that our youth are taking an interest in solving problems. I am concerned that, because of the increasing influence of progressives in our education system they are being used.
All who support demonstrations and particularly those who support legislation to restrict freedoms regardless of your good intentions, need to remember the words posted below and their source. You also need to review “Rules for Radicals”, a review of which is at http://politico-cat.com/wp/wordpress/2023/09/17/review-rules-for-radicals/
If you at all concerned with the direction our country is taking. Whether you are a member of Black Lives Matter or March for Our Lives, understand that you are restricting someone else’s freedom when you leave trash in your wake and block their ability to travel. Hopefully you will not impede a person or persons ability to get essential healthcare by your actions. Is your organization prepared to pay the cost incurred because of extra police and garbage pickup required by your demonstration? Are you? If not, then you are stealing from your fellow taxpayer.
8.0 How would I reduce gun related crime?
Thanks to the reader that put my foot to the fire and asked that question.
Glad you asked.
Given that criminals:
don’t follow the law;
That the majority of gun deaths are from commission of related crimes;
That mass shootings are by mentally deranged perpetrators.
I would:
Increase penalties for crimes by a factor of 10 for crimes in which a firearm is used by the perpetrator with no opportunity for parole. Mandatory life sentence if someone is injured. Require purchaser to attend a class in gun safety.
Voluntarily remove “gun free” zones. Campaign for locations where more than a few people gather to remove signs that they are gun free. Recommend that if they are concerned about guns on the premises, they provide ways to check people attending for arms.
Establish a privately run gun owner list publicly accessible to advise weapons sellers as to restrictions of persons to own a weapon. Such a list can be funded by its users. Such a list would include whether the person listed has successfully completed a gun handling and safety course. HIPAA regulations specify that medical records of a person may not be released without that person's permission. That the managers cannot get the records would be a red flag to the seller as to the buyer’s fitness to have a weapon.
