The story of “The Prodigal Son” is an exception. Here Jesus turned for his inspiration not to the everyday concerns of his hearers, but to a story they all knew, not only one of the most popular camp-fire stories in all Palestine, but one that was often discussed and referred to in the synagogues as well.

In the Old Testament, this story is preserved as the book entitled “Tobit” or “Tobias”. In Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, “Tobit” forms part of the accepted word of God. In Protestant Bibles, “Tobit” forms part of the so-called apocrypha.

In a brand-new translation, the story has been re-titled, “The Adventures of Toby”. Toby is the son who leaves his father, Tobias, to journey to a far country. But he is not a bad son. In fact, he is a good son who is making the journey to rescue his father from debt.  His mother doesn’t want him to go, but he  has to make  this trip to collect a sum of money to rescue the family. His father is blind, so it is the mother who waits anxiously at the city gates for her son’s return.

“The Adventures of Toby” is not only one of the most thrilling but one of the most beautiful stories ever told. No wonder it was so well-known not only to Jesus himself but his listeners.

“The Adventures of Toby” has recently been re-translated and restored by John Howard Reid, who has included this book in “Bible Wisdom for Modern Times: Selections from the Orthodox Old Testament”.  It is possible to read “The Adventures of Toby” at http://reidbooks.exactpages.com

Image via Wikipedia

at http://reidbooks.exactpages.com

In Scandanavia and Slavic Europe, as well as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Spanish-speaking countries and communities around the world, families tend the graves of loved ones, placing candles and flowers there.  Mexicans and Mexican-Americans celebrate El Dia de Muerte, constructing elaborate altars, or “ofrendas”, outfitted with photographs of departed family members, candles to light their way to Heaven, marigolds, the Aztec flower of the dead, not to mention their loved ones’ favorite food.  In southern Louisiana, relatives also clean and decorate the above-ground masoleums. 

All of these festivities began when Pope Gregory III moved All Saints Day from May 13th to November 1st to coincide with the Celtic holiday of Samhain (which is Gaelic for “Summer’s End”). These holy days also have been celebrated since the time of Charlemagne in Continental Europe. 

Image by Klearchos Kapoutsis via Flickr

Thus, the first two days of November set aside an afternoon to tidy up the family plot while familiarizing children and teenagers with the past lives of family members who have come before them.  Secular society focuses on Halloween, or All Hallow’s Eve, but it conveniently forgets that Halloween, or literally Hallows Even, falls before a time to honor Christian heroes and beloved–but now gone–family members. Christians who follow the liturgical calendar should pause to participate in this hallowed time of year.

Answers in Genesis

Answers in Genesis is run by Ken Ham. It is an excellent resource for understanding the creationist position and includes plenty of links and educational materials. It has s

The Discovery Institute

The Discovery Institute is perhaps the most well-known organization for what it calls the science of Intelligent design.

Image via Wikipedia

Institute for Creation Research

Based in Dallas, Texas. They are Young Earth Creationists who believe in the literal 6 day creation of the universe.

Creation Wiki

This wiki tries to refute all of the contentions of the Talk Origin archives one by one. It is easy to navigate and well organized.

Evolution

The Talk Origins Archive

One of the oldest sites in the business, Talk Origins is an exhaustive list of creationist claims. It includes links to the creationists it seeks to rebut and all of its information is organized for easy reading.

Top 15 Misconceptions About Evolution

This is a single page on the popular website Listverse. It names 15 things that people commonly think about evolution that are not true.

NOVA: Intelligent Design On Trial

On the PBS website, you can watch this entire documentary, which tells the story of the Kitzmiller V. Dover Trial. The trial involved the school board of Dover Pennsylvania versus a group of parents who did not want intelligent design taught to their children.

Image via Wikipedia

Youtube.com

Youtube turns out to be a good resource for learning science basics. Three users in particular offer video series that explain evolutionary theory in a way that’s relatively easy to understand.

1. Potholer54 is a semi-retired Austrailian science journalist with a degree in geology and author of the “Made Easy” Series.

2. Thunderf00t is an atheist freethinker who created the series “Why Do People Laugh At Creationists?” which examines the views of such creationist individuals and institutions as Kent Hovind, Ken Ham, Ben Stein, Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron, The Discovery Institute and user VenomfangX, then explains whether the view is scientifically valid.The series has 30 parts, with each part taking on a different idea.

3. AronRa is author of the series “Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism.”

     It’s the reason we have so many… varieties of religion.  We’ve got them all floating around out there; Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, Mormons, Jews, Muslims…. the list goes on and on.  Most of them, ironically, are more similar than not.  Most believe in God.  Most use the Bible, or some version of it.  The ten commandments are usually prevalent, and most of them judge someone.  Gays, blacks, whites; there’s someone out there willing to hate us all in the name of God.  In fact, we’ve been killing one another to settle this argument for thousands of years now.

     So the way I figure it, God is one of two things; A jerk or very disappointed.  The fundamentals of most  religions center around love, faith, and humanity.  At least in Theory.  And yet far more atrocities have been committed in the name of religion than for any reason in our history.  And it isn’t slowing down a bit.  If anything, it has grown far more common with the evolution of the internet.  Here, you can find hate mongering in the name of a person’s version of the almighty any day of the week.  We aren’t quite so bold about it… I can’t say I’ve ever seen a forum or thread with the actual title ‘My God is better than yours… But they’re here.

     Arrogance seems to seep into nearly every theological debate in forums.  In fact, the online bible toters may be the most arrogant of them all.  They tend to be forceful, abrasive, and pushy.  They cry for the wrath of their God to come down upon you if you fail to whole heartedly endorse their every specific belief.  They cast judgements and aspersions upon their peers as if they have every right to do so; apparently God isn’t all that choosy, having chosen them all as his direct diciples.

     How sad that we seem to have lost our way.  I am of the opinion that God is out there, and he is saddened.  The fact that the major religions are all so very similar should tell us something.  We choose to believe in God in the way that makes us most comfortable.  Organized religion is like clothing, the way I see it; you may choose slacks and a polo, I opt for sweats and a T.  We’re both still dressed.

     My God isn’t any better than yours; he is, in all likelihood, the same guy.  Perhaps instead of attacking each other over the differences, we should take a moment to realize that there aren’t as many as we think.  We can’t control what the powers that be do with their beliefs; they will always war.  But do we have to do so down here, too?

Picture Source

…I believe in miracles.

Not only have I read about them and I’ve even seen things that could not be anything, but a miracle: birds in the sky forming hearts and stars, two doves flying by my car as I drove through the desert highway, and so many other amazing spiritual moments.

Recently, I finished a book that said that when God is on your side and knows you’re doing right, He rewards you. He sends more and more miracles your way.

A few days ago, I experienced such a beautiful miracle. While to some it might not be a huge miracle, to me, it was.

Just as a caveat, for those who don’t believe in God, I would say that my experience can be compared to “the laws of attraction”; that whatever you think, do, put out into the world, and give comes back to you infinitely.

I went to the grocery store after work. I was feeling peaceful. Not a worry on my mind, just serene after finally finding the perfect job for my lifestyle right now, etc. But, when I got to the cashier, I realized I didn’t have my ATM card. Quite luckily, the cashier was very kind, he told me to take my time.

After about 20 seconds of looking through my purse and realizing that I’d have to leave and come back to purchase my groceries, the man next in line spoke up:

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it.”

I looked at him incredulous.

“You’ll get it?”

“Yes.” He had a very unassuming demeanor.

I asked if I could get his card so I could repay him.

He simply asked, “Can I get your number?”

I let him know that I was sort of dating someone and asked for his address again. He wouldn’t give it to me, “It’s only $20’s.” And, then he said, “I need to do this because someone just recently stole $1,000’s worth of belongings from my car.”

Then, before I could say more, he briskly walked past me without looking back. I didn’t even get the chance to give him a hug.

I could’ve run after him, but his gesture had moved me beyond words, my feet wouldn’t move. (After all, I’m truly thankful when someone considerately remembers to put the divider down so that you can put your items on the moving cashier counter.) But this was a man who was basically giving a complete stranger $20’s asking for nothing in return. This was something you read about or see in movies.

The cashier said, “Man I wish someone would pay for my groceries.”

The bagger looked at me smiling and eyes twinkling, “Man, I need to get in line with you.”

I stood a moment in disbelief, humbled and shocked, “I’ve been praying for only true angels.”

Tears almost came to my eyes, but as I type this, I’m still in complete shock and awe.

God is truly watching everything you do.

When He’s pleased with you, He acts swiftly sending angels to protect, bless and guide you every step of you take. When you give only the very best energy possible with the humblest spirit toward the world like energy is returned to you a hundredfold.

Be deeply thankful every step of your life, every word spoken is priceless and is a moment to lift another person’s spirits with true love, kindness, understanding and best intentions. Every thought you have is invaluable.

I believe in miracles.

For more inspiration:

• Heaven on Earth
• Live Life to the Fullest
• Quotes to Lift Your Spirit
• Create the Life of Your Dreams
• What Makes You Happiest in Life?

We see at least four types of personalities in this short exchange. Which one are you when it comes to friendships?

Judas

image

Judas was a close friend to Jesus right up to the time he sold him out. Shortly before the infamous kiss, he sat with him and enjoyed dinner with the rest of the group. Judas, so blinded by what he could get for himself, sold out one of his best friends for roughly the price of a slave.

Are you the type of friend that hangs around just because you think your friends have got contacts in high places, and the association would be advantageous to you? Do you keep them close while looking for your chance to exploit them for your own gain? Are you dressing up the friendship by making empty gestures, while you bide your time, waiting for the right moment to serve yourself? Is your sense of self gain so important to you that you would betray your ‘friend’ for any material gain you could get?

If you’re this type of friend, you’re like Judas. Leave the friendship if you don’t really care for the person, because even though you’ll hurt that person once, it’s your soul and your character that will be soiled forever. How will you live with yourself then?

Peter

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Peter made a grand, hot-headed gesture of perceived bravery. Was it guilt about his thoughts of cowardice at being associated with Jesus that made him react like this? We will never know. However, later when he was sure Jesus was in trouble and the hunt was on for his followers, Peter denied knowing him three times. He refused to be there to make a difference when Jesus really needed him.

Are you the type of friend that’s the ‘life of the party’ when things are going great? You’re not scared to get your hands dirty and are great at getting things done. You’re the voice of the group and are not afraid to vent your feelings for the world to hear. You see yourself as the greatest friend; the one who gets things done while others stand around and mope. However, when friends are in real need, you feel too overwhelmed by your own life and worries to take make any real commitment. You don’t want to be overburdened by the needs of anyone else. You will do what you can when you’re there, but sacrificing your own needs above your friends’ is not something you’re willing to take on.

If you’re this type of friend, you’ll never reach other people’s hearts. They’ll hang out with you and have fun, but when they really need someone to talk to, you’re not the person they’ll call. You need to grow up and take stock of how you value others – if at all, because one day soon, you’ll have a real need and no one will come knocking on your door.

The Soldier

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The soldier came to arrest Jesus, probably prepared for a fight to ensue. After all, he must have heard that this man, Jesus the accused, hung around with twelve other men. Many of these men had been fishermen, so they were well-built, sturdy men with powerful shoulders and rough hands. Jesus himself had been a carpenter for a period of time, so he was a physically fit, robust man. It would’ve been very difficult for him to look like the ‘golden boy,’ slim images we’ve seen of him all our lives. Carpenters in those days built wooden wheels for chariots. Rough hands, muscular arms and strong shoulders came with the territory.

Jesus, however, didn’t put up a fight, and just when the soldier thought that everything was going to go smoothly, he was attacked by this madman with a sword. Anyone would panic if they see their ear fall to the ground, even if Emergency personnel are just a mobile phone call away. Jesus helped this man when he healed his ear. What did he do for Jesus? Did he just carry on with his job and bring him in anyway?

Are you a friend that takes but never gives? Are you one of the energy sappers that always have a sad story to relate to your friends? They offer a listening ear, and sometimes offer advice. They’re always on your side and agree with your points of view. They’re long suffering and have seen you through years of turmoil, joy, pain and happiness. They’re always happy about your successes and wish you the best in your endeavours. Yet, you have no time to listen to them. If you do, you talk about their troubles behind their backs and expose their most secret thoughts to anyone who would listen. You’re not prepared to give any of your time to listen when they need a sympathising ear. When good things happen to them, instead of rejoicing, you’re jealous. You wonder ‘why them’ and fret about when ‘your time’ is going to come. You soak up their energies, but you never give anything in return. Most importantly, you don’t notice when they do something good for you. Your attitude says you do not appreciate the kindness they’ve done, and see their good deed as your rightful inheritance.

If you’re a friend like this, you will never prosper. Being thankful for what we’re given, sheds a glowing light on the things we already possess. The more we look for blessings, the more we find them in our lives. It’s about personal perception. Living in the darkness of jealousy and greed casts negative shadows even on the things others see as beautiful. Giving makes us happy, but only the person who lives by this motto knows how true this is. If you have to ask how this is so, then you really need to make some changes right now.

Jesus

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The night before Judas sold him, Jesus broke bread and gave it to him. He knew what was about to happen, but he invited him in and treated him with equal respect and love as he did the others. Jesus also knew that Peter was to betray him, yet he shared a meal with him and spoke to him lovingly. Even the soldier who came to arrest Jesus was treated with utmost kindness and honour. Jesus went out of his way to do something good, not only for his friends, but his enemies and those who sought to destroy him.

Are you this kind friend? Do you go out of your way to help others, even those who’re not there for you when you need them? I stay away from people who have hurt me, or those I know who don’t like me. I try hard to be a friend like Jesus, but don’t always come up to par.

What kind of friend are you?Are you the Judas type, the Peter type or are you struggling to be the Jesus type with little or no success? Whatever type you are, remember that you can make someone else’s day by just lending an ear when they’re down. Give some of your time to a friend in need, today.

For more on relationships with friends, visit my blog, The Relationship Supermarket.com

8 But this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.

Many atheists throw around that Christianity is the most violent form of religious wars, yet they fail to see this is and was not the will of God. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, he clearly told him, ‘Thou shall not kill.” Some chose to take it upon themselves to not head the written commandments of God already laid out in the Ten Commandments, claiming to hear from God that he changed his mind and wants them to go to war.

Many verses in scripture command a life of peace, which would be the accurate version of what God really wants for man. I am sure I will be called a heretic for this posting, however even Jesus Christ himself was called such a thing. It was worth the risk of posting this, the bit of truth, for some of the body of Christ to call me these things. One day they will fully know what was Holy in the eyes of God in scripture. Holy Spirit defines what truth is, and what is not of God. Wars and killing others was never the will of the Lord.

Psalms 11:5

The soul of the Lord hates those who love violence.

This would be an accurate portrayal of the real Lord and God of earth and creation. To honestly believe otherwise contradicts other verses in scripture on peace, love and not hurting others. It is up to the believer to peak inside the heart of God and find out who they are worshiping, and why they love God to begin with.

Atheists run with this one quite often, to disprove the loving character of a loving and forgiving God. They do it to dismantle scripture, and the bible itself. Many chose the wars on their own behalf, instead of listening and waiting for the true voice of the Lord.

Part of the Atheist religion is reading the bible to simply disprove theories, and the nature of God. They deny religion, but have made one for themselves.

Please feel free to refer to scriptures on peace and the Ten Commandment on not killing others. Those would be the accurate portrayal on war from God.

 14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

 The word yoke in the dictionary means a bond. It means joining and becoming a pair. Two people uniting together in friendship and love. I am in many forums and groups online, including social media outlets, and I am becoming concerned by this yoking of Christians with atheists who are not hearing the bible.  The ones these Christians are yoking with deny Jesus is the son of God and are bound by an anti Christ spirit, however are becoming a pair with these individuals.

 This has become an extreme issue, these types of Christians are forsaking the word of God for one, upsetting the body of Christ for two, and in many sad cases have turned their backs on true followers and worshipers of Christ to unite and bond with these individuals. They are misunderstanding many parts of scripture of preaching the gospel, and are not wiping their feet when they are commanded to do when that person does not hear it.

 They twist the word of God to imply that when one does not yoke with these individuals as the bible says, that we do not love our fellow man. This type of teaching is not even scriptural, nor applies any related truth.

 How does one yoke with an atheist when they claim Jesus did not exist but your heart truly rests with him? They show no form of discomfort knowing they are joining with someone who is not saved at the moment. Yet you will see them join them in their crusades against the body of Christ, others who claim he is son of God. They argue with other Christians who claim Jesus is Lord that they are not Christian because they turn their backs on the ones in darkness.

 Many confuse teaching the gospel, with yoking. This is another common factor circulating with these types of Christians. When you are yoking, you are sharing your spirits and beliefs with these people. How does one handle hearing constantly in this type of unbalanced yoking, that Jesus is not the son of God? Yet, you will see them continue yoking with athiests as if what they have said about the Lord does not inflict them in any way.

 When you choose someone to join with make sure they hear the gospel too, and make sure they claim Jesus is son of God before retaining a personal and deep relationship with this individual.

 Holy Spirit does not yoke with anti Christ spirits, and that is a common fact.

Based upon the passage of Isaiah and certain texts in the New Testament, the narrator felt Christ said “heights” and not “heaven” in Luke 10. He stated our Lord would have spoken in Aramaic and would have said “barack obama (or ubama)”–barack for lightning and bama for heights, with an “o” or “u” sound as required by the Aramaic/Hebrew depending on certain circumstances. However, comments by Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz recorded in a Salon.com article disprove the thought that Christ would be saying “obama” or “ubama.”

While there are many well written articles and great videos disproving many other statements in the controversial videos, I would like to point something out that hopefully will help to stop, or at least diminish, the spread of future rumors that might be developed by misusing Holy Scripture.

Missing Facts

Early in the video the narrator said the Hebrew word for “lightning” in Strong’s Concordance is “barack.” Immediately this raised a caution in my mind since Hebrew, as often does Greek, usually is more descriptive than English. Sometimes there are many words, each carrying a slightly different shade of meaning and intent, that can be translated to the same English word. Such is the case with the word, “lightning.” In the original video, the narrator said, “I’ll report the facts–you decide.” It seems to me the narrator left some facts out.

Image by author

According to Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, there are three words that are translated as lightning, viz., entries 2, 3 and 4 in the image above. Entry 1 (not shown) is a Hebrew word which is pronounced much like the English “ore” that is heavily used in the Old Testament for the word “light” and can also mean light in a spiritual sense, among other things. It is translated as lightning in the KJV in Job 37:3. One more word, entry 7, is also translated as lightning in the KJV in Exodus 20:18.

However, it is most probable our Lord spoke in Aramaic. Is there more than one possibility in Aramaic for “lightning?” According to alphadictionary.com there are six words, five of which appeared to me to be the strongest:

1. brq, brq’ (braq, barqā) n.m. lightning

  (1) lightning

2. dlq, dlq’ (delqā) n.m. flame

  (1) flame
  (2) fire
  (3) torch
  (4) lightning
  (5) splendor

3. zyqh, zyqt’ (zīqā, zīqtā) n.f. lightning bolt

  (1) lightning bolt

4. zlq, zlq’ n.m. lightning flash

  (1) lightning flash

5. kbrytny (kebrīṯānāy) adj. of sulphur

  (1) of sulphur–pl.: sooty lightning flashes

While our Lord could have said, “barack,” He could have very well said any of these other possibilities.

Confusion of Terms

The narrator states in a third video, “my updated film makes it crystal clear in a logical, exegetical manner, that the more probable context of the words Jesus spoke in Luke 10 do not speak of the heaven or shamayim of God, but rather the most likely context is the high place, or the heights or the domain of satan himself.” However, it is my opinion his conclusion was not reached in a logical and truly exegetical manner.

When it comes to “heights,” there are also a number of possible words, but we are hermeneutically veering off course if we focus upon the word “heights.” Luke 10:18 specifically uses “heaven,” and if Christ was basing that statement on Isaiah 14, usage of “heaven” is further substantiated since the main line, verse 12, has, ” How art thou fallen from heaven (shamayim, not bama), O Lucifer, son of the morning!”

Furthermore, Jesus was not talking about the Antichrist, but satan (I prefer not to capitalize that name). These are two separate beings, one possibly human (1 John 2:18) and the other angelic. The term, “antichrist,” appears only in 1 John. Most Christians equate the Antichrist with The Beast mentioned in Revelation. He is referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as the “man of sin” and “the son of perdition.”

While I feel in my spirit that true Christians will sense when The Beast is arising, continued false alarms of, or illusions to, the Antichrist or The Beast will deaden what spiritual senses some of the unsaved have, causing them to be more apt to fall prey to the real Beast when the time comes.

References:

Wilson, William: Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies (MacDonald Publishing Company, McLean, VA) pp. 214, 253.

I would embed the YouTube videos I have referred to, but I feel they have had enough attention.

Theories dominate the internet of verses in scripture that speak of sheep feeding and that due to winter months, this could not be possible. This brings me to the topic of the weather in Israel. They rarely receive snow, and when they do receive it, they are amazed and shocked by the arrival of this type of weather. In Israel, they bring the sheep down to lower lands to graze on green grass throughout the year. This in itself breaks the theory of Christ not being born on that day, when comparing the birth of Jesus to the type of weather Jerusalem receives.

I promised myself this year I would address this issue, this rumor that people spread of inaccuracy to the myth that we changed the birth of Jesus on a pagan holiday.

The truth to the story is; the pagan holiday tried to steal the Lords thunder. What better way of trying to remove truth, and take a poke at God? Then claim the day that his Son was born is not the day we celebrate.

This year please remember that we most certainly celebrate our Lords birthday on the proper day, and dispel fear that this is wrong. Fear is another of satans tactics.

Research weather in Israel, you will clearly see they rarely receive cold enough winters to justify that the sheep can not graze. Many photographs abound the internet of farmers bringing the sheep down to lower areas, and allowing them to graze.

If you were the type of believer that began to question that particular day, take heart, it is the right day we celebrate, and satan tried to steal it. Share this information with others whom question our celebration. You can also view them grazing on a site called Holy Land photo’s, which clearly explains that they graze on winter grass.

Dispel theories based on what the sheep were eating by viewing this site called Holy Land Photos.

Have a very Merry Christmas, praise the Lord on the 25th for his birth.