Went to the optometrist appointment yesterday. Very nice doctor, I will say that.
Sigh. But.
Iritis. I now have iritis. Or rather I have had iritis. This is an inflammation of the iris, the colored part of the eye. Technically this is part of the uvea, the middle portion of the layers of tissue found in the eye.
And technically, if not treated....leads to the blindness I have been terrified of since childhood.
Anyway, see the rheumatologist today. Will let him know about all this, and will probably change my RA/Psoriatic arthritis meds. He may also want to add steroid drops for my eyes.
If he doesn't add the drops, then i will just monitor my eye pain, the sensitivity to light pain---hadn't really noticed any light pain---and pain in general plus redness.
So i am in minor low spirits. Just seems like something is always happening, something worse is always being thrown into my ballpark. And I have to constantly clean up the gum wads stuck to the floor, walls and ceiling of my life.
I know God has a plan for all this. And that no matter what He will not leave me, nor forsake me....but life sure is hard at times.
May He indeed come soon. amen.
Rheumatoid Awareness
Friday, March 31, 2017
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
RA Post: eyes
I am going in Thursday for an emergency optometrist appointment. My eyes sort of ache. Off and on, different places, different eyes. I am hoping it is just from my sinuses, which always cause problems.
Eye things cause me great fear.
Eye things cause me great fear.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Under Abba's Umbrella
I am loving how deep things get the more you find out about Hebrew tradition---how much deeper what Christ said 2000 year ago was, both for Jewish households, but for Roman ones as well. In our modern, Western society what is read is "nice" and "thoughtful", but leaves something missing. So, without further ado, lets delve deeply.
As I have been learning in my Genesis Bible study, the head of household was in charge of those under him; it was he who was responsible for the behaviors, costs and sins of the people under his umbrella of care. For example, Genesis 17.9-14, which speaks first of circumcision of Abraham, and all of the men in Abraham's household---including slaves. In the opening story of Genesis, it is Adam who was questioned first as to the behaviors that had happened following the Fall. Then Eve. Then the Snake; also interesting is the fact that it is the man who was driven out of Eden (taking Eve with him). See Gen 3.8-24.NIV
As a deeper read for yourself, here are links to Roman head of household duties and Jewish head of household duties.(Wiki Roman Head) (PBS Roman Head of House) (Jewish Encyclo)
Basically it is the same: responsible for legal duties etc. The head of household was the head.
6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[b] Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Gal 4( NIV)
4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5heb predestined us for adoption to sonshipc through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9hed made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Eph 1 (NIV)
I think that this gives another reason why Christ had to die for our sins. He was the only perfect sacrifice, the end to that, giving us a permanent priest to act as intercessor between God and ourselves.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[a] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Heb 7NIV
He also had to die for us because He is the triune God, He is all three at once, and as such He had to provide a sacrifice for our sins---much as the head of household would provide a sin offering as required. He is our Father, our head of household.
Much as the High Priest provided a sin offering for the entire nation of Israel, so must have God as Christ, since He is our High Priest. Being God, being all of these things, He founded a way for our sins to be covered.
Further, then, we should honor His effort by attempting, through His great strength, to lead holy, godly lives.
What is important here is how involved He really is in our lives. By being the head of our household (the church) and the head of our every day lives, we are under His umbrella, His great care. He will never leave us or forsake us.
As I have been learning in my Genesis Bible study, the head of household was in charge of those under him; it was he who was responsible for the behaviors, costs and sins of the people under his umbrella of care. For example, Genesis 17.9-14, which speaks first of circumcision of Abraham, and all of the men in Abraham's household---including slaves. In the opening story of Genesis, it is Adam who was questioned first as to the behaviors that had happened following the Fall. Then Eve. Then the Snake; also interesting is the fact that it is the man who was driven out of Eden (taking Eve with him). See Gen 3.8-24.NIV
As a deeper read for yourself, here are links to Roman head of household duties and Jewish head of household duties.(Wiki Roman Head) (PBS Roman Head of House) (Jewish Encyclo)
Basically it is the same: responsible for legal duties etc. The head of household was the head.
6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[b] Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Gal 4( NIV)
4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5heb predestined us for adoption to sonshipc through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9hed made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Eph 1 (NIV)
I think that this gives another reason why Christ had to die for our sins. He was the only perfect sacrifice, the end to that, giving us a permanent priest to act as intercessor between God and ourselves.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[a] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Heb 7NIV
He also had to die for us because He is the triune God, He is all three at once, and as such He had to provide a sacrifice for our sins---much as the head of household would provide a sin offering as required. He is our Father, our head of household.
Much as the High Priest provided a sin offering for the entire nation of Israel, so must have God as Christ, since He is our High Priest. Being God, being all of these things, He founded a way for our sins to be covered.
Further, then, we should honor His effort by attempting, through His great strength, to lead holy, godly lives.
What is important here is how involved He really is in our lives. By being the head of our household (the church) and the head of our every day lives, we are under His umbrella, His great care. He will never leave us or forsake us.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Reaching for Coins
Sometimes as I read through the pages and pages of Jewish tradition, I feel like it is a lost cause. Pages and pages of what seemingly is as "usual" to the religion as the usual morning church service we have in the US Christian circle.
However, I am determined to continue in my research, seeking to find hidden jewels in the culture I do not belong in and am ignorant of. And today I found a piece of lapis lazuli--at least to me.
The Maimonides Eight Levels of Charity has such a gem. Maimonides was a rabbi; "Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, known by the acronym the “Rambam”, 1135-1204" Rabbi.
If I consider that what he wrote spoke of how things were back another millenium, to Christ's time (sadly I am unable to find anything at this point to prove it one way or another), then this idea is really rather fascinating:
"The greatest sages used to tie coins into their robes and throw them behind their backs, and the poor would come up and pick the coins out of their robes, so that they would not be ashamed."charity
Now, perhaps you think what I think, or I have completely lost you! So I will now tell you one of my favorite stories of Christ:
42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[a] but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Lk 8NIV
To me, I see from this tradition of coins tied to the backs of the rabbis robes for charity, and to not shame the person who needed help, a similar situation here. That she who was ill, tired and poor in spirit and probably funds...needed the "coin" she knew she could get if she would only reach His robe.
Yet the difference here was that what she needed was ever so much more than a "coin". She was healed, yes...but what she needed more was to hear Him speak to her. To make what had happened even more important.
Charity was to be done so as not the shame the person in need...although tradition thought that both parties ought to know what was going on---who was giving and who was receiving. Think what a tighter relationship one would have knowing who was giving assistance. Think how hard one would try and make that help count, by finding that job, working closer with the giver.
By having Christ stop, turn and search for the woman who was healed, but still in need, He filled her with more than a whole body. He filled her with peace, and peace is something we hardly ever find outside of God. Every other peace is fleeting.
We need to remember to reach for the "coins" when we need help, which, of course, is all the time. We need to remember that as we reach for the "coin", the Rabbi will turn, speak to us, and give us more than we expected---For is He not the good, perfect Father, who will always help, always teach, always love, always hold, and always send good things?
However, I am determined to continue in my research, seeking to find hidden jewels in the culture I do not belong in and am ignorant of. And today I found a piece of lapis lazuli--at least to me.
The Maimonides Eight Levels of Charity has such a gem. Maimonides was a rabbi; "Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, known by the acronym the “Rambam”, 1135-1204" Rabbi.
If I consider that what he wrote spoke of how things were back another millenium, to Christ's time (sadly I am unable to find anything at this point to prove it one way or another), then this idea is really rather fascinating:
"The greatest sages used to tie coins into their robes and throw them behind their backs, and the poor would come up and pick the coins out of their robes, so that they would not be ashamed."charity
Now, perhaps you think what I think, or I have completely lost you! So I will now tell you one of my favorite stories of Christ:
42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[a] but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Lk 8NIV
To me, I see from this tradition of coins tied to the backs of the rabbis robes for charity, and to not shame the person who needed help, a similar situation here. That she who was ill, tired and poor in spirit and probably funds...needed the "coin" she knew she could get if she would only reach His robe.
Yet the difference here was that what she needed was ever so much more than a "coin". She was healed, yes...but what she needed more was to hear Him speak to her. To make what had happened even more important.
Charity was to be done so as not the shame the person in need...although tradition thought that both parties ought to know what was going on---who was giving and who was receiving. Think what a tighter relationship one would have knowing who was giving assistance. Think how hard one would try and make that help count, by finding that job, working closer with the giver.
By having Christ stop, turn and search for the woman who was healed, but still in need, He filled her with more than a whole body. He filled her with peace, and peace is something we hardly ever find outside of God. Every other peace is fleeting.
We need to remember to reach for the "coins" when we need help, which, of course, is all the time. We need to remember that as we reach for the "coin", the Rabbi will turn, speak to us, and give us more than we expected---For is He not the good, perfect Father, who will always help, always teach, always love, always hold, and always send good things?
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Light Your Candle
"Let me tell you what I try to do. Imagine that you're looking at a
candle. What you're really seeing is a lump of wax with a thread down
its middle. So when do the thread and wax become a candle? Or, in other
words, when do they fulfill the purpose for which they were created?
When you put a flame to the thread, then the candle becomes a candle.
"The wax is the body, and the wick the soul. Ignite the soul with the fire of Torah and a person will then fulfill the purpose for which he or she was created. And that is what I try to do -- to ignite the soul of our people with the fire of Torah."
"My candle," I asked, "has the Rebbe lit it?"
"I have given you the match," he said. "Only you can light your candle."
"The wax is the body, and the wick the soul. Ignite the soul with the fire of Torah and a person will then fulfill the purpose for which he or she was created. And that is what I try to do -- to ignite the soul of our people with the fire of Torah."
"My candle," I asked, "has the Rebbe lit it?"
"I have given you the match," he said. "Only you can light your candle."
— From a conversation between the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Yehudah Avner
Let us make certain that we light the fire in our souls for God...let us be willing to be used in whatever manner it is He wishes. Let us study His Word, be so on fire for Him that He is all we ever want to talk about.
Considering 1 Cor 12.4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.NIV
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.NIV
The fire lit within us charges is forward to use whatever gift it is that God has given us through His Spirit. If we work hard on stamping out the fire within us, focusing on worldly things and worse of all, ourselves, we will begin to feel that dull feeling of being without God. We are again running in the wrong direction, seeking our own way and our own wondrous self.
Make sure to keep the fire in your spirit strong...for there is nothing worse than a dead spirit, a cold and empty fireplace in an abandoned house, leaking in the rainstorms that life sends.
Deeper Redemption
As an opening challenge---go to your favorite concordance, or look at BibleGateway.com, BlueLetterBible, or whatever online Bible search engine you like. Search for Know God. Pretty overwhelming examples of God knowing us, and what knowing God does for us!
"...the Hebrew word for redemption, geulah, is constituted of the very same letters for the word for exile, golah, with only the added letter aleph (the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which is silent) transforming the word from "exile" to "redemption".
Galut is a time when G-d's presence is concealed, when nearly all perceptible traces of the relationship we share with Him have vanished. We don't feel or see G-d's love for us, and we don't really feel like His children." The Basics---Why Exile? from Chabad.org
As I continue my research into Judiasm---for background, cultural knowledge to deepen my understanding of the Word---I find interesting gems like this.
That the word for exile, or not knowing God, is so close to redemption, or knowing God, is a resounding gong in my mind.
Exile, according to dictionary.com, is "a person banished from his or her native land". Normally, exile is done because of political reasons--the law required by the country in question is not followed.(Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the more famous exiles). And what exile is the greatest but that which keeps us from being in the presence of God?
The missing part of faith and acceptance of God means that we are in exile; a permanent, terrible exile.
Redemption, by dictionary.com, has one definition of "paying off, as of a mortgage, bond, or note". In other words, and in a slightly different manner than the typical covering of our sins, which indeed happens, our crime against the law is paid for, we are allowed back into the country of our homeland. And, better yet, the history of our crimes are filed away, never to be seen again.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7NIV
Many fear this passage, for we ask ourselves if we are of those who are not part of the redeemed exiles. As many others have said, look for examples of fruits of the Spirit. How do others react around you---one, do you get compliments of the fruits, and two, is your heart really in tune with God? A great response to this which someone told me was that if this verse worried you, you were concerned enough to WANT to be with God---and that is a key part of knowing God, and having His redemption from the unbelieving exile we all once had.
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Jn 14NIV
True redemption comes through our salvation with Christ--and that comes, of course, from our accepting that He is the Messiah, that He is God, and that we are willing to admit that we are NOT able to exist in life, save ourselves or make even one hair grow or not.
34 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?
35 You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other. 36 From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. Dt 4 NIV
Another sign of our redemption from exile is the Spirit within us---the ability to learn what God has to show us in His Word. He sent the Holy Spirit to point out, as a tutor might, things in the Word that we need to know right then, or that we will need to know. The Spirit interprets the Word for us, giving us proof of His existence and of our redemption.
9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
“‘though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.’[a]
though hearing, they may not understand.’[a]
69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Jn 6 NIV
Knowing that He is the Holy One of God, that He has brought us from exile, is an incredible thing. A mind boggling, speechless thing. One point I'd like to make, yet again, is that God never leaves us or forsakes us. We may feel that way---and in my experience it is usually linked with pride. We may be prideful that we are managing life (even while reading the Word x amount of hours a day!), we may be prideful about how much we volunteer. When God feels far away it is usually because we start running in the wrong direction. We think we can still manage it, pray even harder, etc...but what we have to do is realize we cannot do anything without God. We have to completely rely on His power and strength. Then we find that He was right there all the time. We just kept running the wrong direction.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Remembering God
"One says quite literally of the master of the Talmus [sage writing of Jews], "He knows how to learn". Herman Wouk, This Is My God, 1970 Pocket Book edition, NY, p 86.
How many of us are told we know how to learn? And if we are considered "smart" in the world's standard...what is it we are smart in? How many of us are considered smart in the ways of God?
What depths do we go to in learning about God? Do we simply attend church? Do we not even do that? Do we listen to the right music?
I still remember how HARD I studied my nursing textbooks. I could locate individual paragraphs to discuss with classmates or to make sense of disease processes and treatments. I remember thinking suddenly on the way to college what an incredible shame it was to know these medical books that well...and not know my Bible that well.
I remember deciding that once I was out of school I would study the Word harder. Well, I get to study the Word harder than I probably intended.
Then there is our tendency (mine too!) to read "good authors" and not focus on reading the Word. Other authors are often very beneficial---for instance my reading Wouk is giving me a deeper understanding of Jewish traditions, which further makes what I read in the Word clearer. Yet if I only read Wouk, as I have been doing, I am not getting the fullness of study that I could.
Wouk points out that the synagogue was a studying place. Traditional synagogues have tables in well lit areas that the rabbis and the students may all study and learn together. Children begin learning at the age of 5. ( 85-86)I assume they probably are learning in a deeper manner than our children are learning at Sunday school and church.
It is hard in the world to give up the world. Everything in the world screams that we need to do all these things. Have a career, have a family, do this, do that. We nearly work ourselves to death doing this for and of the world...and ignore the more important of our existence.
Reminds me of the Mary and Martha story. Read About It Here! Mary was sitting, listening to the Lord in rapt attention. Martha was, like most of us, concerned about worldly affairs. It is a fine balance. There are things we need to do in the here and now---certainly we have to take care of our families, etc. But we are responsible for making God the foremost important Being in our lives. That takes a lot of work and effort...reminding ourselves, praying for help in remembering. Trials, at least, make us focus deeply on God and expand our learning concerning Him.
Do whatever it is that best focuses your mind on God. If standing and looking at the stars is what makes you then stand in awe of God, do so. If reading daily verses from BibleGateway's email service sets your thoughts on God, do so. We are to remember and learn of God as much as possible...while also managing what must be done in the world.
How many of us are told we know how to learn? And if we are considered "smart" in the world's standard...what is it we are smart in? How many of us are considered smart in the ways of God?
What depths do we go to in learning about God? Do we simply attend church? Do we not even do that? Do we listen to the right music?
I still remember how HARD I studied my nursing textbooks. I could locate individual paragraphs to discuss with classmates or to make sense of disease processes and treatments. I remember thinking suddenly on the way to college what an incredible shame it was to know these medical books that well...and not know my Bible that well.
I remember deciding that once I was out of school I would study the Word harder. Well, I get to study the Word harder than I probably intended.
Then there is our tendency (mine too!) to read "good authors" and not focus on reading the Word. Other authors are often very beneficial---for instance my reading Wouk is giving me a deeper understanding of Jewish traditions, which further makes what I read in the Word clearer. Yet if I only read Wouk, as I have been doing, I am not getting the fullness of study that I could.
Wouk points out that the synagogue was a studying place. Traditional synagogues have tables in well lit areas that the rabbis and the students may all study and learn together. Children begin learning at the age of 5. ( 85-86)I assume they probably are learning in a deeper manner than our children are learning at Sunday school and church.
It is hard in the world to give up the world. Everything in the world screams that we need to do all these things. Have a career, have a family, do this, do that. We nearly work ourselves to death doing this for and of the world...and ignore the more important of our existence.
Reminds me of the Mary and Martha story. Read About It Here! Mary was sitting, listening to the Lord in rapt attention. Martha was, like most of us, concerned about worldly affairs. It is a fine balance. There are things we need to do in the here and now---certainly we have to take care of our families, etc. But we are responsible for making God the foremost important Being in our lives. That takes a lot of work and effort...reminding ourselves, praying for help in remembering. Trials, at least, make us focus deeply on God and expand our learning concerning Him.
Do whatever it is that best focuses your mind on God. If standing and looking at the stars is what makes you then stand in awe of God, do so. If reading daily verses from BibleGateway's email service sets your thoughts on God, do so. We are to remember and learn of God as much as possible...while also managing what must be done in the world.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
The Bridegroom
How much we miss! I have been reading a book called This Is My God by Herman Wouk---looking at Judaism. We need to look at and understand what the Jews know and understand. Everything we learn shows more about God that otherwise we may not find otherwise. I encourage you to do research on this topic.
First we will look at Sukos (Tabernacles or Autumn Festival).
At the end of Sukos, Sh'mini Atzeres, or Last Assembly Day arrives, which is in honor of the Sinai laws. A celebration of God giving the laws to the people at Sinai. It is apparently a very joyous occasion.
Sh'mini Atzeres happens on the eighth day of the festival of Sukos---yet is also considered a separate event. Part of the celebration is a reading of the Word, which is "finished" being read and so the last of Deuteronomy is read, and the beginning of Genesis (Wouk, p57).
"The man who speaks the benediction over the last verses of the Torah is Bridegroom of the Law [Torah is first five books of Bible]. He is immediately followed by the Bridegroom of Genesis, saying the blessing over the first chapter of the Bible..." Wouk, pg 57.
In consideration to Christ's being considered a Bridegroom of the church, I believe that it is significant that there are these human bridegrooms reading certain parts of scripture. As Col 1.15-20 points out, Christ is the first of everything, the fullness of everything. As the popular John chapter 1 points out, Christ is the Word. Therefore, the Bridegroom who was and is and is to come is Christ---simply for the reason that He knows everything, and it the fullness of the Word. Does that make sense? He even taught of Himself being the Bridegroom in Matthew 25.
Jewish culture had that the man was the head of the household---he was responsible for the teaching and actions of those under his umbrella of protection. By being under the protection of Christ, under His umbrella, He is responsible for our knowledge of the Word (certainly why we are constantly seeking Him). He is responsible for the sins we do on this earth---that was why He had to die on the cross. He had to pay for our sins by the understanding of being the Bridegroom of the Church!
As an aside, I wonder if this day, the Last Assembly day, explains another reason why male infants were circumcised on the eighth day of life---the laws were given on an 8th day of a festival (now) and a celebration. The circumcision is likely a point of celebration---a son has been born, and has been set apart for God, a following of the command of the day.
Most of us understand Passover. It was when, of course, Moses, and more importantly God, led the Israelites out of the hardships of Egypt. Let me pause for one moment, though, and show you a prophecy. Read Genesis 15.13-16. God told Abraham that his people would be enslaved for 400 years in Egypt.
Now, to return to Passover. Passover "lies in...the laws of leaven from dusk of the 14th day of Nisan (normally March-April) to darkness of the 22nd. The first and last days of Passover are full holidays." Herman Wouk, "This Is My God", p 52
The first day of Passover is the Israelites getting ready to leave the next day, waiting for the Angel of Death to pass over them. The last day is the day that the laws were given at Sinai. On the second day of Passover, barley is brought as a sacrifice, and starts the festival of weeks. 50 days later (7 weeks) Shavuot/Pentecost happens--Shavuot happens usually on the 6th of Sivan which is May-June. At this point the people then bring in wheat as an offering to God.
This is also known as Atzeres. "The Talmud refers to Shavuot as Atzeret[7] (Hebrew: עצרת, literally, "refraining" or "holding back"[8]), referring to the prohibition against work on this holiday[8] and to the conclusion of the holiday and season of Passover.[9] Since Shavuot occurs 50 days after Passover, Hellenistic Jews gave it the name "Pentecost" (πεντηκοστή, "fiftieth day")." (Wikipedia Shavuot)
"Shavuot, the plural of a word meaning "week" or "seven", alludes to the fact that this festival happens exactly seven weeks (i.e. "a week of weeks") after Passover" (Wikipedia Shavuot)
"It is a widespread custom to stay up the entire night learning Torah...Most synagogues and yeshivot will organize special classes and lectures throughout the night of Shavuot...At synagogue services on Shavuot morning, we read the biblical book of Ruth." (Aish.com)
This is also a time when the people of Israel pray to God for good rain over the next year.( shemini-atzeret-eighth-day)
It is indeed a point to remember that the law was given on Shavuot/Pentecost, when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The Spirit, of course, helps us to understand right and wrong in a better sense than we could ever manage on our own. It is extremely important that this all happened on the same day. Another interesting fact is the idea of the Spirit being water to our soul, and coming on the day that traditionally rain was asked for. God is so incredible at tying all these things together---and so much that I am sure I don't understand or haven't found out yet!
First we will look at Sukos (Tabernacles or Autumn Festival).
At the end of Sukos, Sh'mini Atzeres, or Last Assembly Day arrives, which is in honor of the Sinai laws. A celebration of God giving the laws to the people at Sinai. It is apparently a very joyous occasion.
Sh'mini Atzeres happens on the eighth day of the festival of Sukos---yet is also considered a separate event. Part of the celebration is a reading of the Word, which is "finished" being read and so the last of Deuteronomy is read, and the beginning of Genesis (Wouk, p57).
"The man who speaks the benediction over the last verses of the Torah is Bridegroom of the Law [Torah is first five books of Bible]. He is immediately followed by the Bridegroom of Genesis, saying the blessing over the first chapter of the Bible..." Wouk, pg 57.
In consideration to Christ's being considered a Bridegroom of the church, I believe that it is significant that there are these human bridegrooms reading certain parts of scripture. As Col 1.15-20 points out, Christ is the first of everything, the fullness of everything. As the popular John chapter 1 points out, Christ is the Word. Therefore, the Bridegroom who was and is and is to come is Christ---simply for the reason that He knows everything, and it the fullness of the Word. Does that make sense? He even taught of Himself being the Bridegroom in Matthew 25.
Jewish culture had that the man was the head of the household---he was responsible for the teaching and actions of those under his umbrella of protection. By being under the protection of Christ, under His umbrella, He is responsible for our knowledge of the Word (certainly why we are constantly seeking Him). He is responsible for the sins we do on this earth---that was why He had to die on the cross. He had to pay for our sins by the understanding of being the Bridegroom of the Church!
As an aside, I wonder if this day, the Last Assembly day, explains another reason why male infants were circumcised on the eighth day of life---the laws were given on an 8th day of a festival (now) and a celebration. The circumcision is likely a point of celebration---a son has been born, and has been set apart for God, a following of the command of the day.
Most of us understand Passover. It was when, of course, Moses, and more importantly God, led the Israelites out of the hardships of Egypt. Let me pause for one moment, though, and show you a prophecy. Read Genesis 15.13-16. God told Abraham that his people would be enslaved for 400 years in Egypt.
Now, to return to Passover. Passover "lies in...the laws of leaven from dusk of the 14th day of Nisan (normally March-April) to darkness of the 22nd. The first and last days of Passover are full holidays." Herman Wouk, "This Is My God", p 52
The first day of Passover is the Israelites getting ready to leave the next day, waiting for the Angel of Death to pass over them. The last day is the day that the laws were given at Sinai. On the second day of Passover, barley is brought as a sacrifice, and starts the festival of weeks. 50 days later (7 weeks) Shavuot/Pentecost happens--Shavuot happens usually on the 6th of Sivan which is May-June. At this point the people then bring in wheat as an offering to God.
This is also known as Atzeres. "The Talmud refers to Shavuot as Atzeret[7] (Hebrew: עצרת, literally, "refraining" or "holding back"[8]), referring to the prohibition against work on this holiday[8] and to the conclusion of the holiday and season of Passover.[9] Since Shavuot occurs 50 days after Passover, Hellenistic Jews gave it the name "Pentecost" (πεντηκοστή, "fiftieth day")." (Wikipedia Shavuot)
"Shavuot, the plural of a word meaning "week" or "seven", alludes to the fact that this festival happens exactly seven weeks (i.e. "a week of weeks") after Passover" (Wikipedia Shavuot)
"It is a widespread custom to stay up the entire night learning Torah...Most synagogues and yeshivot will organize special classes and lectures throughout the night of Shavuot...At synagogue services on Shavuot morning, we read the biblical book of Ruth." (Aish.com)
This is also a time when the people of Israel pray to God for good rain over the next year.( shemini-atzeret-eighth-day)
It is indeed a point to remember that the law was given on Shavuot/Pentecost, when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The Spirit, of course, helps us to understand right and wrong in a better sense than we could ever manage on our own. It is extremely important that this all happened on the same day. Another interesting fact is the idea of the Spirit being water to our soul, and coming on the day that traditionally rain was asked for. God is so incredible at tying all these things together---and so much that I am sure I don't understand or haven't found out yet!
Thursday, March 9, 2017
RA Post: New Drug, New Energy?
Overall I have been a lot better. And, of course, I don't trust it at all.
I have been less tired; normally I am up and awake at least 8 hours, maybe even more. I used to barely manage to stay awake 4 hours. The rest of the time was sleep.
I had a bad week week before last. Oh my goodness. The nausea was terrible!
Part of the issue, I think, is that my muscles are so atrophied and weak. I have noticed that I get really tense muscles by the end of the day---which then has been triggering migraines.
Then, because I still HAD super tight muscles, the migraine just got worse rather than easing off with medication, darkness, etc.
I don't know. I just don't know if this med is helping, or if I am just having a fluke of good health for this week. I am so tired of being ill, so tired of seeing the world through illness-tinted glasses. It makes conversation difficult, because I see everything in the lens of how much energy I might be spending, how far away it is to go lay down if I feel sick.
It's the sick that gets me. The pain is bad if its bad...but somehow if one can do something it is easier to ignore. The sick is what is awful.
Hopefully the medication (humira) really is helping, will boost me up as I near the 6 months time it is supposed to increase it's effectiveness. It's just terrifying in a way if I consider being so ill again. The loneliness that can happen, the feeling so terrible. I sure understand cancer victims now, and the fear they can feel.
I just have to rely on God, know that whatever happens He is in control, and never leaves me alone for a millisecond. Everything is in His hands, and His peace, love and strength is always enveloping me. That I can always rest in His loving arms
I have been less tired; normally I am up and awake at least 8 hours, maybe even more. I used to barely manage to stay awake 4 hours. The rest of the time was sleep.
I had a bad week week before last. Oh my goodness. The nausea was terrible!
Part of the issue, I think, is that my muscles are so atrophied and weak. I have noticed that I get really tense muscles by the end of the day---which then has been triggering migraines.
Then, because I still HAD super tight muscles, the migraine just got worse rather than easing off with medication, darkness, etc.
I don't know. I just don't know if this med is helping, or if I am just having a fluke of good health for this week. I am so tired of being ill, so tired of seeing the world through illness-tinted glasses. It makes conversation difficult, because I see everything in the lens of how much energy I might be spending, how far away it is to go lay down if I feel sick.
It's the sick that gets me. The pain is bad if its bad...but somehow if one can do something it is easier to ignore. The sick is what is awful.
Hopefully the medication (humira) really is helping, will boost me up as I near the 6 months time it is supposed to increase it's effectiveness. It's just terrifying in a way if I consider being so ill again. The loneliness that can happen, the feeling so terrible. I sure understand cancer victims now, and the fear they can feel.
I just have to rely on God, know that whatever happens He is in control, and never leaves me alone for a millisecond. Everything is in His hands, and His peace, love and strength is always enveloping me. That I can always rest in His loving arms
Knowing God is Sovereign
Thinking about the free will we have, but also the fact that God knows and directs everything we do.
Somehow, I always see God as the very noun: director, producer. A director/producer of films (at least a good one) directs the actors, but the actors make the choices in how they stand/say the lines. The director/producer knows how the film ends, but not (always) the actors. I have read many times when only one character in a film knew that he/she would have a death scene at the end of the film.
Adam and Eve made the choice to "gain knowledge". They were in a place of perfection, every need met, but to them it was not enough. When do we ever think we have enough? How many times have we ourselves or have we heard of people who want a better spouse, a better house, a better life, whatever---yet in reality all is fairly well with the world? Our biggest weakness is doubt---doubting that what we have is really the best.
If disaster strikes, we begin to really doubt. We begin to question God's existence, God's goodness, our reasons for living/continuing to live. We may fall into drugs, we may fall into divorce; we pick what seems the best "knowledge" for the time being.
God really knows what we will pick. As Timothy Keller points out: You cannot be mad at a God who allows evil and should be able to do something about it...because you are then saying God is infinitely powerful, and an infinitely powerful God would HAVE to be infinitely wise. It doesn't make sense otherwise.
Knowing that God knows the choices we will make, the sorrows we will go through, is incredibly helpful to me. Knowing God knew I would face anorexia and major depression makes it easier. Because if He knew I would go through it, He knew He was strong enough to lead me through it. If He knew I would get Rheumatoid Arthritis, He knew He was peaceful enough to lead me through it. Having a God that is infinitely powerful and infinitely wise means that everything will indeed work out eventually. There is a great plan in everything we do, say, and think, even if we cannot see it.
Like a child learning to ride a bike. The parent knows the child will learn, if the child keeps trying. The choice is fully the child's; he can say he won't try...yet the parent has (some) control over the child continuing to try. The parent is backup, encouraging, helpful---and the child soon rides the bike on his own.
We must keep trying, moving forward in whatever is handed to us in this life. God is always sovereign, always there, and always willing to lend us that hand to hold, shoulder to cry on, peace.
I do agree, I think, with Keller's other thought. Someday, what we face today in this life, will make our walk in Heaven all the more glorious. For then we shall SEE and KNOW that where we stand in the glorious light of God is indeed perfection; nothing will be lacking, nothing will be missing in our minds. We will not doubt, nor think we need the forbidden knowledge. I hope we will continue to learn about the wonders of God...a pursuit of glory.
Walk with God, for He knows every single footstep we will make in the time we have here. He has numbered the hairs on our heads, named the stars---He knows everything about His creation, from the smallest quark (or whatever is the smallest thing in the universe yet known to man), to the largest part of His creation that we probably don't know yet. He knows EVERYTHING...and that makes Him the most incredible, marvelous Being who was and ever was and will be. Anything that incredible has to be Someone who cares very deeply about His creation to be willing to die for it. How upset are we when our painting is ruined by a passerby, or a recipe fails, or whatever "art" we make? Most of us wouldn't be willing to die for it to return to its original...but He was.
Walk with God, be at peace that He directs us, yet is always with us no matter what may befall us by our choices or natural disasters of a broken world...
Somehow, I always see God as the very noun: director, producer. A director/producer of films (at least a good one) directs the actors, but the actors make the choices in how they stand/say the lines. The director/producer knows how the film ends, but not (always) the actors. I have read many times when only one character in a film knew that he/she would have a death scene at the end of the film.
Adam and Eve made the choice to "gain knowledge". They were in a place of perfection, every need met, but to them it was not enough. When do we ever think we have enough? How many times have we ourselves or have we heard of people who want a better spouse, a better house, a better life, whatever---yet in reality all is fairly well with the world? Our biggest weakness is doubt---doubting that what we have is really the best.
If disaster strikes, we begin to really doubt. We begin to question God's existence, God's goodness, our reasons for living/continuing to live. We may fall into drugs, we may fall into divorce; we pick what seems the best "knowledge" for the time being.
God really knows what we will pick. As Timothy Keller points out: You cannot be mad at a God who allows evil and should be able to do something about it...because you are then saying God is infinitely powerful, and an infinitely powerful God would HAVE to be infinitely wise. It doesn't make sense otherwise.
Knowing that God knows the choices we will make, the sorrows we will go through, is incredibly helpful to me. Knowing God knew I would face anorexia and major depression makes it easier. Because if He knew I would go through it, He knew He was strong enough to lead me through it. If He knew I would get Rheumatoid Arthritis, He knew He was peaceful enough to lead me through it. Having a God that is infinitely powerful and infinitely wise means that everything will indeed work out eventually. There is a great plan in everything we do, say, and think, even if we cannot see it.
Like a child learning to ride a bike. The parent knows the child will learn, if the child keeps trying. The choice is fully the child's; he can say he won't try...yet the parent has (some) control over the child continuing to try. The parent is backup, encouraging, helpful---and the child soon rides the bike on his own.
We must keep trying, moving forward in whatever is handed to us in this life. God is always sovereign, always there, and always willing to lend us that hand to hold, shoulder to cry on, peace.
I do agree, I think, with Keller's other thought. Someday, what we face today in this life, will make our walk in Heaven all the more glorious. For then we shall SEE and KNOW that where we stand in the glorious light of God is indeed perfection; nothing will be lacking, nothing will be missing in our minds. We will not doubt, nor think we need the forbidden knowledge. I hope we will continue to learn about the wonders of God...a pursuit of glory.
Walk with God, for He knows every single footstep we will make in the time we have here. He has numbered the hairs on our heads, named the stars---He knows everything about His creation, from the smallest quark (or whatever is the smallest thing in the universe yet known to man), to the largest part of His creation that we probably don't know yet. He knows EVERYTHING...and that makes Him the most incredible, marvelous Being who was and ever was and will be. Anything that incredible has to be Someone who cares very deeply about His creation to be willing to die for it. How upset are we when our painting is ruined by a passerby, or a recipe fails, or whatever "art" we make? Most of us wouldn't be willing to die for it to return to its original...but He was.
Walk with God, be at peace that He directs us, yet is always with us no matter what may befall us by our choices or natural disasters of a broken world...
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Fire, Water and Blood again
Today I went to my usual Wednesday Bible study. We are working our way through Genesis.
Today was Genesis 15. Go ahead and read it.Genesis 15
During the covenant part, as we learned today, God is saying He is responsible for the covenant. Blood covenants had to be completed or the one who didn't do it died. As you read, Abram stood to one side and God went through the blood.
What is fascinating to me is how this seems to still show the idea I had (and probably others). There are three things that are used in purification of things and people that I have seen in Scripture. 1) Blood, 2) Water, and 3) Fire. Blood is the one that seems to be the one which is used for the largest purification...with the priests of God doing a blood sacrifice for the people of Israel yearly.
What I love is as I read about God, He seems to come out more and more as being the perfect of these three things of purification. God is always seen as fire, smoke, light. So there is the number three thing on the list. The Spirit is called over and over water throughout scripture, with the memorable conversation with the Samaritan woman over drawing water being one. The last, and as equally important, is the blood of Christ spilled to cover the sins of the "people" of God. Us, those who believe, are covered fully and completely, with no need of further sacrifice, by that blood.
The blood of God, then, poured out for us into the dust of the earth. Then, the Spirit, the water, comes and is with us, forever washing us, reminding us, steering us as we walk in faith. The fire, the light of God we follow when we ask for direction, but I think also is the smelting process we go through through life.
It is said in Timothy Keller's book Walking with God through Pain and Suffering that perhaps the fall allows us, in the "future" to see Heaven in a better light. To think it all the more wonderful and glorious based on our difficulties here...
Further, our smelting process, our purification by trials and such smooth off rough sides. Let us shine like pure gold for the glory of God. Our trials make us lean on God all the harder. If life was "perfect" by our worldly standards and we "thought" we had everything we wanted, would we lean on God, or want Him in our lives?
God is so beyond our comprehension. And I love that when I think of it. For as we could (hopefully) rely on our parents as small children to keep us safe, hold us close, kiss our bonked heads, how much more will an infinitely powerful, infinitely wise heavenly Father do so?
Today was Genesis 15. Go ahead and read it.Genesis 15
During the covenant part, as we learned today, God is saying He is responsible for the covenant. Blood covenants had to be completed or the one who didn't do it died. As you read, Abram stood to one side and God went through the blood.
What is fascinating to me is how this seems to still show the idea I had (and probably others). There are three things that are used in purification of things and people that I have seen in Scripture. 1) Blood, 2) Water, and 3) Fire. Blood is the one that seems to be the one which is used for the largest purification...with the priests of God doing a blood sacrifice for the people of Israel yearly.
What I love is as I read about God, He seems to come out more and more as being the perfect of these three things of purification. God is always seen as fire, smoke, light. So there is the number three thing on the list. The Spirit is called over and over water throughout scripture, with the memorable conversation with the Samaritan woman over drawing water being one. The last, and as equally important, is the blood of Christ spilled to cover the sins of the "people" of God. Us, those who believe, are covered fully and completely, with no need of further sacrifice, by that blood.
The blood of God, then, poured out for us into the dust of the earth. Then, the Spirit, the water, comes and is with us, forever washing us, reminding us, steering us as we walk in faith. The fire, the light of God we follow when we ask for direction, but I think also is the smelting process we go through through life.
It is said in Timothy Keller's book Walking with God through Pain and Suffering that perhaps the fall allows us, in the "future" to see Heaven in a better light. To think it all the more wonderful and glorious based on our difficulties here...
Further, our smelting process, our purification by trials and such smooth off rough sides. Let us shine like pure gold for the glory of God. Our trials make us lean on God all the harder. If life was "perfect" by our worldly standards and we "thought" we had everything we wanted, would we lean on God, or want Him in our lives?
God is so beyond our comprehension. And I love that when I think of it. For as we could (hopefully) rely on our parents as small children to keep us safe, hold us close, kiss our bonked heads, how much more will an infinitely powerful, infinitely wise heavenly Father do so?
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