Hi Everyone,
I wanted to share a book I'm reading: Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey. And thank you Lori S for encouraging me to seek a deeper understanding through the Christian/Jewish heritage. The book mainly goes over the gospels explaining Hebrew, Greek words more closely and also gives you an idea of what it was like to live in their culture. I have to be fresh when I read from it but the more I read the easier it gets. For example he dissects the word righteousness so I finally understand it.
I also watched a movie on Netflix the other night called The Daniel Project, it's on prophesy, particularly end times, it's very well done and will help you come out of the "world" a little more.
This of course is just my opinion but I thought it was worth passing on. Blessings to all, betsy
Good food for the soul
Started by
chipped china
, Oct 29 2012 02:21 AM
7 replies to this topic
#1
chipped china
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Posted 29 October 2012 - 02:21 AM
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#2
Lori Smith
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Posted 29 October 2012 - 03:32 AM
Betsy,
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss in your family. Thanks for sharing good things with us in the midst of your sorrow that we might be edified. You're a special lady. I will pray for you and your sister. I will also look into the book you mentioned. Thanks so much.
May God's Shalom comfort you,
Lori
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss in your family. Thanks for sharing good things with us in the midst of your sorrow that we might be edified. You're a special lady. I will pray for you and your sister. I will also look into the book you mentioned. Thanks so much.
May God's Shalom comfort you,
Lori
In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."
#3
Lori Smith
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Posted 29 October 2012 - 04:17 AM
Betsy,
I just wanted to add what God shared with me first thing this morning. I hope it doesn't sound trite. Sometimes it's so hard to put into words what we feel in our hearts.
What God showed me are these words from Jesus: (I use an interlinear so the words aren't quite in order) "But the Encourager, the Holy Spirit, which the Father will send in My Name will teach you of all things and remind you of all things I told you." We see that the Father sends the Holy Spirit to be with us through trials. It's like a marriage, God helps us make it through. But, Greek philosophy painted God as unknowable. Jonathan Edwards studied at Yale and fully embraced Greek philosophy; thus, he developed sermons like "Sinners in the hands of an angry God." But the tragedy of that kind of thinking is that we are able to trust God simply to provide for us, and when things hurt us we wonder where God is. But, the Holy Spirit was given to us to be a comfort to us during hard times. He accepts us, loves us and sanctifies us over time as we walk in close communion with Him. That's why radical Calvinism (Edwards) and Arminian legalism is so destructive--we try to perfect ourselves without God's love. But, the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) is about God writing His laws upon our hearts. One of God's complaints about Israel in the Old Testament was that Israel met His requirements without "knowing Him" (See Hosea 6:6). Jesus also confronted the Pharisees about this in the New Testament as well. He told them that their HEARTS were far from Him. But Paul confronted legalism and said that he was a steward of grace and came as a minister of reconciliation. When we realize that we are sanctified as the Lord said (through abiding-John 15:5), we learn that God works in us as we walk in love with Him. Then He comforts us through trials. It's becomes easier to understand when the comforter speaks words to us during trials that help us understand why we had to go through it. Thus it isn't selfish to ask why ... indeed, our loving Father wants us to ask Him why so He can comfort us through trials.
Again, it's so hard to express things through words because they lack the tenderness that we offer face to face. But I wanted to share in case it could offer some comfort. I'll be praying for you. I'm so so sorry that your sister lost her husband, and that you have lost your brother-in-law. I pray that God will comfort you each day.
Blessings,
Lori
I just wanted to add what God shared with me first thing this morning. I hope it doesn't sound trite. Sometimes it's so hard to put into words what we feel in our hearts.
What God showed me are these words from Jesus: (I use an interlinear so the words aren't quite in order) "But the Encourager, the Holy Spirit, which the Father will send in My Name will teach you of all things and remind you of all things I told you." We see that the Father sends the Holy Spirit to be with us through trials. It's like a marriage, God helps us make it through. But, Greek philosophy painted God as unknowable. Jonathan Edwards studied at Yale and fully embraced Greek philosophy; thus, he developed sermons like "Sinners in the hands of an angry God." But the tragedy of that kind of thinking is that we are able to trust God simply to provide for us, and when things hurt us we wonder where God is. But, the Holy Spirit was given to us to be a comfort to us during hard times. He accepts us, loves us and sanctifies us over time as we walk in close communion with Him. That's why radical Calvinism (Edwards) and Arminian legalism is so destructive--we try to perfect ourselves without God's love. But, the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) is about God writing His laws upon our hearts. One of God's complaints about Israel in the Old Testament was that Israel met His requirements without "knowing Him" (See Hosea 6:6). Jesus also confronted the Pharisees about this in the New Testament as well. He told them that their HEARTS were far from Him. But Paul confronted legalism and said that he was a steward of grace and came as a minister of reconciliation. When we realize that we are sanctified as the Lord said (through abiding-John 15:5), we learn that God works in us as we walk in love with Him. Then He comforts us through trials. It's becomes easier to understand when the comforter speaks words to us during trials that help us understand why we had to go through it. Thus it isn't selfish to ask why ... indeed, our loving Father wants us to ask Him why so He can comfort us through trials.
Again, it's so hard to express things through words because they lack the tenderness that we offer face to face. But I wanted to share in case it could offer some comfort. I'll be praying for you. I'm so so sorry that your sister lost her husband, and that you have lost your brother-in-law. I pray that God will comfort you each day.
Blessings,
Lori
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In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."
#4
Kevin Blankenship
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Posted 29 October 2012 - 06:39 AM
Yes, Betsy, my symathies and prayer throughout the day for yours and and your sister's and all who were affected by your loss. I'm so sorry. And yet, you are able to get on here and share wonderful and thought provoking posts.
I love to hear of new books and I'll figure out how to watch the Daniel Project!!!! That will give me something useful to do today, when I am caught up with my caregiving for momma. God Bless both of you sisters!!!!! This is how church should be. More time for us, who are not actually ordained for the pulpit, to connect and share.
I love to hear of new books and I'll figure out how to watch the Daniel Project!!!! That will give me something useful to do today, when I am caught up with my caregiving for momma. God Bless both of you sisters!!!!! This is how church should be. More time for us, who are not actually ordained for the pulpit, to connect and share.
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#5
Lori Smith
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Posted 29 October 2012 - 07:01 AM
Thanks to you too brother. You are a wonderful example to all as your care for your mother. My prayers for you and her as well!
Blessings,
Lori
Blessings,
Lori
In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."
#6
chipped china
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Posted 29 October 2012 - 05:21 PM
Thank you both for the comfort you send through our Lord and Savior. I'm always eager to hear words of God's wisdom delivered with His tenderness that I felt from both of you. Knowing we have been sanctified through Christ, washed clean and free from the bonds of sin does write His ways on our hearts so we don't want to sin against Him. We can cling to Him in faith with the things we understand and don't understand.
As for my sister Annie, the Spirit has been holding my tongue because I know she has had moments of anger at God, and that's Ok if she tells Him her hurt. Cal her husband ran the Seattle branch of World Relief that for years has brought refugees to the area and helped them get started, sometimes from their home. They had a real Christ centered marriage and raised 4 wonderful boys. They also adopted a N Korean teenager that had a horrible life before he escaped. I know the Lord said to Cal, well done good and faithful servant.
The thing I struggle with, and thank God He is leading me, is the fact they had it all. I want her to feel thankful for all she had. The majority of people in this world don't even come close to experiencing. On the other hand the Lord says man and woman in marriage become one. So how does the one left live on? But with Christ as our center we are still whole? These are the struggling thoughts that go through my mind. Blessed are we that keep perfecting our faith and knowledge of our Holy God. Our God who is LOVE.
Kevin, my heart goes out to you and your mom. I'm pretty sure her life is being cut short too like my brother in laws. It must be incredibly hard to have to her mind slip away and not be who you knew before. I have so much respect for you caring for her like she did for you when you were a baby. It reminds me of Ecclesiastes that teaches there is a time for everything.
Through all this I am still thankful we have the joy of the Lord.
As for my sister Annie, the Spirit has been holding my tongue because I know she has had moments of anger at God, and that's Ok if she tells Him her hurt. Cal her husband ran the Seattle branch of World Relief that for years has brought refugees to the area and helped them get started, sometimes from their home. They had a real Christ centered marriage and raised 4 wonderful boys. They also adopted a N Korean teenager that had a horrible life before he escaped. I know the Lord said to Cal, well done good and faithful servant.
The thing I struggle with, and thank God He is leading me, is the fact they had it all. I want her to feel thankful for all she had. The majority of people in this world don't even come close to experiencing. On the other hand the Lord says man and woman in marriage become one. So how does the one left live on? But with Christ as our center we are still whole? These are the struggling thoughts that go through my mind. Blessed are we that keep perfecting our faith and knowledge of our Holy God. Our God who is LOVE.
Kevin, my heart goes out to you and your mom. I'm pretty sure her life is being cut short too like my brother in laws. It must be incredibly hard to have to her mind slip away and not be who you knew before. I have so much respect for you caring for her like she did for you when you were a baby. It reminds me of Ecclesiastes that teaches there is a time for everything.
Through all this I am still thankful we have the joy of the Lord.
#7
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Posted 30 October 2012 - 12:53 AM
I too will be praying for you friend...
Jesus and Jesus alone saves=D
#8
Lori Smith
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Posted 30 October 2012 - 05:04 AM
Betsy,
I'll keep you and your sister in prayer. God's blessings and peace to you!
Love in Jesus,
Lori
I'll keep you and your sister in prayer. God's blessings and peace to you!
Love in Jesus,
Lori
In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."
