Music by Yanni [True Nature/Snowfall...for music see sidebar]
Lyrics by Renah
This is a song written several years ago during the winter months of our driveaway travels. I was appreciating the beauty of winter and the changing seasons. Hormonal hot flashes helped me appreciate the chill of winter for the first time in my life. I continue to have “thermostat problems.” As a result, I can be described as snippy, clammy, and other less than flattering appellatives. I wonder when this transition will resolve. Ten years seems long enough.
It was interesting that the trees lost their leaves in places like Tennessee/Georgia for only about a month or six weeks. The temperatures stayed mild, but the deciduous trees still needed to rest awhile from their fruitfulness.
I also needed to rest awhile, retiring from the stresses of the highway in 2005....but it is time to get back to fruitfulness. I kind of miss the adventures of traveling and the opportunities to write songs. Yet I do not miss little old ladies spinning out in front of me in a Wyoming blizzard. Thank the LORD for the miracle of missing her as she came to a stop sideways in the middle of the highway. And the additional miracle of the semi behind me missing her as well. Then there was the time my windshield wipers froze and I could not see.......good thing we were at a crawl in another snowstorm, snaking our way up and down mountain highways......maybe I’ll continue to stay home where life is a little less exciting.
Winter Wonder
Winter’s a wonder
Kentucky wonder
Softer than thunder
The snow upon the hillside
I’d like a sleigh ride
Across a frosty field
God made the seasons
And He knows the reasons
For trees to be barren
A chill in the air suits me
Winter’s a wonder
An Indiana wonder
So meek and mild
Where is the wild storm
Howling storm
Winter’s a wonder
It is a wonder
Softer than thunder
The snow upon the pine trees
I like a pine breeze
As I trot the trails
God made the seasons
And He knows the reasons
For trees to be barren
A chill in the air suits me
A chill in the air exhilarates me
Winter’s a wonder
A Wyoming wonder
The wind gets riled
Here is the wild storm
Raging storm
A grey snow sky
The gift of Adonai
Winter’s a wonder
It is a wonder
Softer than thunder
Snowflakes fall on me
God made the seasons
And He knows the reasons
For trees to be barren
A chill in the air suits me
A chill in the air invigorates me
A grey snow sky
The gift of Adonai........
12/07/2008
12/03/2008
A Maccabean History Lesson
1 Not long after this the king sent an old man of Athens to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers, and not to live after the laws of God:
2 And to pollute also the temple in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius; and that in Garizim, of Jupiter the Defender of strangers, as they did desire that dwelt in the place.
3 The coming in of this mischief was sore and grievous to the people:
4 For the temple was filled with riot and revelling by the Gentiles, who dallied with harlots, and had to do with women within the circuit of the holy places, and besides that brought in things that were not lawful.
5 The altar also was filled with profane things, which the law forbiddeth.
6 Neither was it lawful for a man to keep sabbath days or ancient fasts, or to profess himself at all to be a Jew.
7 And in the day of the king's birth every month they were brought by bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices; and when the fast of Bacchus was kept, the Jews were compelled to go in procession to Bacchus, carrying ivy.
8 Moreover there went out a decree to the neighbour cities of the heathen, by the suggestion of Ptolemee, against the Jews, that they should observe the same fashions, and be partakers of their sacrifices:
9 And whoso would not conform themselves to the manners of the Gentiles should be put to death. Then might a man have seen the present misery.
10 For there were two women brought, who had circumcised their children; whom when they had openly led round about the city, the babes hanging at their breasts, they cast them down headlong from the wall.
11 And others, that had run together into caves near by, to keep the sabbath day secretly, being discovered by Philip, were all burnt together, because they made a conscience to help themselves for the honour of the most sacred day.
12 Now I beseech those that read this book, that they be not discouraged for these calamities, but that they judge those punishments not to be for destruction, but for a chastening of our nation.
13 For it is a token of his great goodness, when wicked doers are not suffered any long time, but forthwith punished.
14 For not as with other nations, whom the Lord patiently forbeareth to punish, till they be come to the fulness of their sins, so dealeth he with us,
15 Lest that, being come to the height of sin, afterwards he should take vengeance of us.
16 And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: and though he punish with adversity, yet doth he never forsake his people.
17 But let this that we at spoken be for a warning unto us. And now will we come to the declaring of the matter in a few words.
18 Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, an aged man, and of a well favoured countenance, was constrained to open his mouth, and to eat swine's flesh.
19 But he, choosing rather to die gloriously, than to live stained with such an abomination, spit it forth, and came of his own accord to the torment,
20 As it behoved them to come, that are resolute to stand out against such things, as are not lawful for love of life to be tasted.
21 But they that had the charge of that wicked feast, for the old acquaintance they had with the man, taking him aside, besought him to bring flesh of his own provision, such as was lawful for him to use, and make as if he did eat of the flesh taken from the sacrifice commanded by the king;
22 That in so doing he might be delivered from death, and for the old friendship with them find favour.
23 But he began to consider discreetly, and as became his age, and the excellency of his ancient years, and the honour of his gray head, whereon was come, and his most honest education from a child, or rather the holy law made and given by God: therefore he answered accordingly, and willed them straightways to send him to the grave.
24 For it becometh not our age, said he, in any wise to dissemble, whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar, being fourscore years old and ten, were now gone to a strange religion;
25 And so they through mine hypocrisy, and desire to live a little time and a moment longer, should be deceived by me, and I get a stain to mine old age, and make it abominable.
26 For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men: yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty, neither alive, nor dead.
27 Wherefore now, manfully changing this life, I will shew myself such an one as mine age requireth,
28 And leave a notable example to such as be young to die willingly and courageously for the honourable and holy laws. And when he had said these words, immediately he went to the torment:
29 They that led him changing the good will they bare him a little before into hatred, because the foresaid speeches proceeded, as they thought, from a desperate mind.
30 But when he was ready to die with stripes, he groaned, and said, It is manifest unto the Lord, that hath the holy knowledge, that whereas I might have been delivered from death, I now endure sore pains in body by being beaten: but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I fear him.
31 And thus this man died, leaving his death for an example of a noble courage, and a memorial of virtue, not only unto young men, but unto all his nation.
2 Maccabees 6
2 And to pollute also the temple in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius; and that in Garizim, of Jupiter the Defender of strangers, as they did desire that dwelt in the place.
3 The coming in of this mischief was sore and grievous to the people:
4 For the temple was filled with riot and revelling by the Gentiles, who dallied with harlots, and had to do with women within the circuit of the holy places, and besides that brought in things that were not lawful.
5 The altar also was filled with profane things, which the law forbiddeth.
6 Neither was it lawful for a man to keep sabbath days or ancient fasts, or to profess himself at all to be a Jew.
7 And in the day of the king's birth every month they were brought by bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices; and when the fast of Bacchus was kept, the Jews were compelled to go in procession to Bacchus, carrying ivy.
8 Moreover there went out a decree to the neighbour cities of the heathen, by the suggestion of Ptolemee, against the Jews, that they should observe the same fashions, and be partakers of their sacrifices:
9 And whoso would not conform themselves to the manners of the Gentiles should be put to death. Then might a man have seen the present misery.
10 For there were two women brought, who had circumcised their children; whom when they had openly led round about the city, the babes hanging at their breasts, they cast them down headlong from the wall.
11 And others, that had run together into caves near by, to keep the sabbath day secretly, being discovered by Philip, were all burnt together, because they made a conscience to help themselves for the honour of the most sacred day.
12 Now I beseech those that read this book, that they be not discouraged for these calamities, but that they judge those punishments not to be for destruction, but for a chastening of our nation.
13 For it is a token of his great goodness, when wicked doers are not suffered any long time, but forthwith punished.
14 For not as with other nations, whom the Lord patiently forbeareth to punish, till they be come to the fulness of their sins, so dealeth he with us,
15 Lest that, being come to the height of sin, afterwards he should take vengeance of us.
16 And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: and though he punish with adversity, yet doth he never forsake his people.
17 But let this that we at spoken be for a warning unto us. And now will we come to the declaring of the matter in a few words.
18 Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, an aged man, and of a well favoured countenance, was constrained to open his mouth, and to eat swine's flesh.
19 But he, choosing rather to die gloriously, than to live stained with such an abomination, spit it forth, and came of his own accord to the torment,
20 As it behoved them to come, that are resolute to stand out against such things, as are not lawful for love of life to be tasted.
21 But they that had the charge of that wicked feast, for the old acquaintance they had with the man, taking him aside, besought him to bring flesh of his own provision, such as was lawful for him to use, and make as if he did eat of the flesh taken from the sacrifice commanded by the king;
22 That in so doing he might be delivered from death, and for the old friendship with them find favour.
23 But he began to consider discreetly, and as became his age, and the excellency of his ancient years, and the honour of his gray head, whereon was come, and his most honest education from a child, or rather the holy law made and given by God: therefore he answered accordingly, and willed them straightways to send him to the grave.
24 For it becometh not our age, said he, in any wise to dissemble, whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar, being fourscore years old and ten, were now gone to a strange religion;
25 And so they through mine hypocrisy, and desire to live a little time and a moment longer, should be deceived by me, and I get a stain to mine old age, and make it abominable.
26 For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men: yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty, neither alive, nor dead.
27 Wherefore now, manfully changing this life, I will shew myself such an one as mine age requireth,
28 And leave a notable example to such as be young to die willingly and courageously for the honourable and holy laws. And when he had said these words, immediately he went to the torment:
29 They that led him changing the good will they bare him a little before into hatred, because the foresaid speeches proceeded, as they thought, from a desperate mind.
30 But when he was ready to die with stripes, he groaned, and said, It is manifest unto the Lord, that hath the holy knowledge, that whereas I might have been delivered from death, I now endure sore pains in body by being beaten: but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I fear him.
31 And thus this man died, leaving his death for an example of a noble courage, and a memorial of virtue, not only unto young men, but unto all his nation.
2 Maccabees 6
12/02/2008
A Day in the Life
My daughter sent me this email yesterday. It brightened my day.
Good Morning and Good Night.........
Well, good morning Mom. I'm sure you will be getting up pretty soon. It's almost 4am. So probably in another hour, you will be up. Me? Well, I am getting ready to head to bed for the night. Why so late, you ask? Let me tell you....
I went to bed at midnight but Chris was reading in bed and I couldn't fall asleep with his little light on. So, I laid awake waiting for him to finish. About 12:45am, Chris and I both thought we heard Alexia cry but it was brief and we didn't hear it again. She had slept on the recliner in the gameroom upstairs...because she never wants to sleep in her own room. Since we didn't hear her anymore, we thought things must be fine...but something told me to get up and check. And boy were things not fine. Not fine at all. Alexia was downstairs and had just come out of the bathroom when she told me that she had gotten sick all over the place. I hadn't turned the light on yet, so I didn't see anything. I asked her where the mess was and she said you will know it when you see it. I turned the gameroom light on and there was purplish-red liquid sprayed all over the floor, recliner, 2 big blankets, teddy, blankie, and the stereo speakers. But wait.....that's not all. Then as she tried to run downstairs to get to the bathroom...she didn't quite make it. The last 5 stairs, surrounding wall and wood floor at the bottom...also sprayed with that nice purplish-red liquid. I didn't even know where to begin. Well, as I tried to think of what she had eaten that would come out that color...I remembered. What is the worst thing you could spill on a carpet? Yup...you guessed it....she had drank 100% pure Welch's grape juice for dinner and now it is all over my house. I used my carpet shampooer to suck up as much as I could. Then I tried every trick I've ever heard to clean grape juice out of carpets but nothing worked. Apparently, once you mix stomach acid with grape juice...there is nothing that can touch it. So, now I have a nice purple pattern on my stairs and gameroom floor that we will be stuck with until we replace the carpets...which we had no plans of doing anytime soon.
So, now I am wide awake at 4am after doing 2 loads of "sick" laundry and scrubbing the floors with every cleaning agent known to man. Alexia seems fine now...no more episodes, but she will stay home from school tomorrow just to be safe...plus I need to sleep sometime and if I went to work tomorrow, I would probably only get about 1 hour of sleep...if that.
So, as you get up and start your day with a nice cup of coffee and a little internet time...think of me and be glad you are where you are in life and that you are not here cleaning up the grape juice vomit of 8 year old little girls. I envy you.
Good morning and good night,
Denise
Addendum:
I wrote back with my sympathies, while indeed counting my blessings for my current lifestyle, and asked why Lexi decided to run all the way downstairs. I also suggested having a bucket or something handy in case of sickness, like we did back in the day. Her answer.......
Addendum:
Believe it or not we still have that old aluminum spaghetti pan. It served as an RV wash bucket in our Driveaway travels. A truly multi-use vessel. It is now enjoying semi-retirement on a shelf in the workshop. It has been around since my own childhood. I remember Mom's spaghetti and meatballs simmering on the stove. I also remember our own pot of spaghetti sauce and Pat getting mad at me one time and flinging it all over the floor and ceiling. Ahhh....the fond memories.
Good Morning and Good Night.........
Well, good morning Mom. I'm sure you will be getting up pretty soon. It's almost 4am. So probably in another hour, you will be up. Me? Well, I am getting ready to head to bed for the night. Why so late, you ask? Let me tell you....
I went to bed at midnight but Chris was reading in bed and I couldn't fall asleep with his little light on. So, I laid awake waiting for him to finish. About 12:45am, Chris and I both thought we heard Alexia cry but it was brief and we didn't hear it again. She had slept on the recliner in the gameroom upstairs...because she never wants to sleep in her own room. Since we didn't hear her anymore, we thought things must be fine...but something told me to get up and check. And boy were things not fine. Not fine at all. Alexia was downstairs and had just come out of the bathroom when she told me that she had gotten sick all over the place. I hadn't turned the light on yet, so I didn't see anything. I asked her where the mess was and she said you will know it when you see it. I turned the gameroom light on and there was purplish-red liquid sprayed all over the floor, recliner, 2 big blankets, teddy, blankie, and the stereo speakers. But wait.....that's not all. Then as she tried to run downstairs to get to the bathroom...she didn't quite make it. The last 5 stairs, surrounding wall and wood floor at the bottom...also sprayed with that nice purplish-red liquid. I didn't even know where to begin. Well, as I tried to think of what she had eaten that would come out that color...I remembered. What is the worst thing you could spill on a carpet? Yup...you guessed it....she had drank 100% pure Welch's grape juice for dinner and now it is all over my house. I used my carpet shampooer to suck up as much as I could. Then I tried every trick I've ever heard to clean grape juice out of carpets but nothing worked. Apparently, once you mix stomach acid with grape juice...there is nothing that can touch it. So, now I have a nice purple pattern on my stairs and gameroom floor that we will be stuck with until we replace the carpets...which we had no plans of doing anytime soon.
So, now I am wide awake at 4am after doing 2 loads of "sick" laundry and scrubbing the floors with every cleaning agent known to man. Alexia seems fine now...no more episodes, but she will stay home from school tomorrow just to be safe...plus I need to sleep sometime and if I went to work tomorrow, I would probably only get about 1 hour of sleep...if that.
So, as you get up and start your day with a nice cup of coffee and a little internet time...think of me and be glad you are where you are in life and that you are not here cleaning up the grape juice vomit of 8 year old little girls. I envy you.
Good morning and good night,
Denise
Addendum:
I wrote back with my sympathies, while indeed counting my blessings for my current lifestyle, and asked why Lexi decided to run all the way downstairs. I also suggested having a bucket or something handy in case of sickness, like we did back in the day. Her answer.......
Alexia slept in the gameroom, which is an open loft type room. Her bathroom options were mine or the one she shared with Austin or downstairs. She said she chose downstairs because there were less doors in her way to go through. She thought she had a better chance of running down the stairs and going straight into that bathroom rather than have to go through several doors. Her bathroom is between her room and Austin's room but can only be accessed by going through one of the bedrooms. None of them were very conveniently located. We don't usually set out "puke buckets" unless we know we have a problem. She wasn't sick when she went to bed. It came on suddenly in the middle of the night. So suddenly, she couldn't even get out of the chair. She was covered in it before she knew there was an issue. When we do use one though, we choose to use a small garbage can rather than a big spaghetti pan that we cook with later like I had growing up! Ahhh....the fond memories.
Addendum:
Believe it or not we still have that old aluminum spaghetti pan. It served as an RV wash bucket in our Driveaway travels. A truly multi-use vessel. It is now enjoying semi-retirement on a shelf in the workshop. It has been around since my own childhood. I remember Mom's spaghetti and meatballs simmering on the stove. I also remember our own pot of spaghetti sauce and Pat getting mad at me one time and flinging it all over the floor and ceiling. Ahhh....the fond memories.
11/29/2008
Why I Don't Celebrate Christmas
[updated from a Moss Patch Newsletter article, November 1991]
As a Christian, I gave up Christmas many years ago when I became aware of the pagan roots of this celebration and diligently searched the Scriptures to see what the Bible had to say about it.
I learned from World Book Encyclopedia and other resources that Christmas is essentially a pagan holiday with a thin Christian veneer. Jesus was not born on December 25, but the pagans celebrated the Birth of the Unconquered Sun (Saturnalia) at this precise time of year, worshipping their gods with trees, yule logs, wassail, holly, mistletoe, and all the trimmings, right down to the Christmas goose. To make a long story short, in order to bring unconverted pagans into the Roman Catholic church long, long ago, the Church met them half way—letting them keep the pagan feasts that they enjoyed so much, and just “Christianizing” them. It does not sound like a bad idea to Christianize paganism until it is discovered that the Word of God specifically forbids it over and over again throughout the Bible.
For example:
As Alexander Hislop brings out in The Two Babylons, “The tendency on the part of Christians to meet paganism half way was very early developed. Tertullian, about the year 230, bitterly lamented the inconsistency of the disciples of Christ in this respect and contrasted it with the strict fidelity of the pagans to their own superstition:
Charles Halff, of the Christian Jew Foundation, in his booklet, “The Truth About Christmas” reports:
Nowhere in Scripture is there any indication that we are to celebrate the Lord’s birth. There are only two “birthday parties” mentioned in the Bible, Pharaoh’s (Genesis 40:20) and Herod’s (Matt. 14:6). Both were pagan celebrations and both had gruesome events associated with them—Pharaoh hung the chief baker, and Herod had John the Baptist beheaded!
Jesus said to remember His death (1 Corinthians 11:26) and look for His coming (Luke 12:37). Why do we add to His words in celebrating His birth? The Bible admonishes us not to add to the words of Scripture:
Some say, “Christmas is just a pleasant tradition. There’s no harm in it.” But Jesus says, “You make the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men. All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition,” (Mark, chapter 7).
As my sister once eloquently put it, “The only way we can ever express gratefulness to the One who paid such a dear price to save our souls is to respect His Word and obey His commandments. We cannot do that if we participate in any way in a pagan tradition such as Christmas.”
The Christmas tree is an abomination in the sight of God. There are many complex legends, but essentially the tree represents the slain god, Nimrod, reincarnated as Tammuz, the Babylonian messiah. Suffice to say that the Christmas tree is representative of a pagan idol, the very idol whose honoring is condemned as a great abomination in Ezekiel 8:14. We have heard well-meaning people remark, “So it has pagan roots; I do not worship the tree.” Yet what do they do with it. They drape it with garlands, just as the pagan priest honored his gods in Acts 14:13. They deck it with silver and gold, as the tree idol is decorated in Jeremiah 10:3,4. According to the dictionary, worship can simply mean “great honor and respect.” A plain little green tree seems to get the royal treatment during the Christmas season. It occupies the foremost place in the home where it will be noticed and admired even by passers-by from outside as it stands glistening in the window, bedecked with jewels and arrayed more gloriously than Solomon. If it’s not an idol, why are people so unwilling to give it up? It it’s not an idol, why do they sing “worshipful” songs to it? “O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches.” The “green tree” is mentioned ten times in the Bible and in every instance it is associated with idolatry.
The exchanging of gifts is also a pagan custom. Statues of gods and other trinkets were exchanged during religious festivals in heathen lands. Yet, to quote Albert James Dager, who has written on the subject of Christmas traditions in Media Spotlight, “There is certainly nothing wrong with giving gifts to family and friends out of love and genuine appreciation for what they have meant throughout the year. But it would be far better if those gifts were given spontaneously rather than under pressure to meet the social requirements of a pagan holiday. Here it is important to examine our motives. A gift in itself is certainly not evil. A gift given under pressure is a compromise to one’s conscience and is little more than a bribe.”
Mr. Dager also observes, “The atmosphere of the world during Christmas is evidence of its incompatibility with Christ. The media are filled with advertising and programming that turns Christmas into a hedonistic celebration. Jesus is so rarely mentioned that it’s obvious He has little to do with the day anyhow.”
Why is it that the world, that hates Christ, loves Christmas? Multitudes will accept Jesus as a helpless babe in a manger while rejecting Him as Lord of their lives. I cringe when I hear of ministers of the Gospel, after preaching the Christmas sermon, extend invitations to sinners to “ask the baby Jesus” to come into their hearts. There is no salvation in such a warped concept of surrender to the Living God.
To those who would say, “Let’s put Christ back in Christmas,” I would respond, He was never the “reason for the season” to begin with! Let the world have its tinseled, liquored up Christmas. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Addendum:
Rabbinical Judaism likes to put “fences” around commandments. Why are Messianics so de-fence-less against Christmas? I often hear, “As long as you don’t worship the tree, it’s okay to have it.” Yet the commandment tells us not only “Do not worship idols,” but do not even have them around (Exodus 20:3-5). Does it not concern Messianics to consider what God thinks about the “mystery forms” of imagery claimed to be so harmless? Idols represent the enemy of our souls whether we see it that way or not. Did Yeshua redeem us so we could continue in the “chambers of imagery” that He abhors (Ezekiel 8). What is the difference between a marble statue of Zeus or a bedecked, gaudy tree prominently displayed? Would you place a Buddha in your living room? As long as you don’t worship it, why not? How about a Mary statue? If Messianics find holidays such as Christmas “neutral,” just what does comprise temptations to idolatrous practices in our generation? We are told to “flee from idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:14) but if there is no idolatry to flee from in our post-modern Judeao-Christian world, maybe these Scriptures are irrelevant? Our faith won’t be tested in the 21st century? Let us not be deceived!
Spend quality time with your family, play games with your kids, but try not to trample underfoot the commandments of God in the process. May the Wal-mart doorkeeper, trampled by the Christmas crowd, be a sobering and meaningful metaphor.
As a Christian, I gave up Christmas many years ago when I became aware of the pagan roots of this celebration and diligently searched the Scriptures to see what the Bible had to say about it.
I learned from World Book Encyclopedia and other resources that Christmas is essentially a pagan holiday with a thin Christian veneer. Jesus was not born on December 25, but the pagans celebrated the Birth of the Unconquered Sun (Saturnalia) at this precise time of year, worshipping their gods with trees, yule logs, wassail, holly, mistletoe, and all the trimmings, right down to the Christmas goose. To make a long story short, in order to bring unconverted pagans into the Roman Catholic church long, long ago, the Church met them half way—letting them keep the pagan feasts that they enjoyed so much, and just “Christianizing” them. It does not sound like a bad idea to Christianize paganism until it is discovered that the Word of God specifically forbids it over and over again throughout the Bible.
For example:
“Learn not the way of the heathen...for the customs of the people are vain...” (Jeremiah 10:2,3).
“Take heed...that thou inquire not after their gods saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so will I do likewise.” (Deut. 12:30)
“...Abstain from pollutions of idols” (Acts 15:20).
As Alexander Hislop brings out in The Two Babylons, “The tendency on the part of Christians to meet paganism half way was very early developed. Tertullian, about the year 230, bitterly lamented the inconsistency of the disciples of Christ in this respect and contrasted it with the strict fidelity of the pagans to their own superstition:
‘By us, says he, ‘who are strangers to (Jewish) Sabbaths, and new moons, and festivals, once acceptable to God, the Saturnalia, the feasts of January, the Brumalia, and Matronalia are now frequented, gifts are carried to and fro, new year’s day presents are made with din, and sports and banquets are celebrated with uproar; oh how much more faithful are the heathen to their religion, who take special care to adopt no solemnity from the Christians.’”
Charles Halff, of the Christian Jew Foundation, in his booklet, “The Truth About Christmas” reports:
“The pagan history of Christmas has been well known throughout history. In fact, at one time the celebration of this pagan custom was forbidden by law in England. In 1644, Parliament declared Christmas to be unlawful; and, consequently, it was abolished. The English Puritans looked upon the celebration of Christmas as the work of Satan. At one time in early American history the observance of Christmas was illegal. A law was adopted in the general court of Massachusetts about 1650 which required that those who celebrated Christmas were to be punished. The statute read, ‘Whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas...shall be subject to a fine of 5 shillings.’ The law’s preamble explained it’s purpose was ‘for preventing disorders...(by) observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other countries to the great dishonor of God and the offense of others.’ After the Mayflower pilgrims landed in 1620, the first December 25th was spent in labor and cutting down trees ‘in order to avoid any frivolity on the day sometimes called Christmas.’”
Nowhere in Scripture is there any indication that we are to celebrate the Lord’s birth. There are only two “birthday parties” mentioned in the Bible, Pharaoh’s (Genesis 40:20) and Herod’s (Matt. 14:6). Both were pagan celebrations and both had gruesome events associated with them—Pharaoh hung the chief baker, and Herod had John the Baptist beheaded!
Jesus said to remember His death (1 Corinthians 11:26) and look for His coming (Luke 12:37). Why do we add to His words in celebrating His birth? The Bible admonishes us not to add to the words of Scripture:
“Every word of God is pure...add thou not unto His Words, lest He reprove thee.” (Proverbs 30:5,6)
Some say, “Christmas is just a pleasant tradition. There’s no harm in it.” But Jesus says, “You make the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men. All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition,” (Mark, chapter 7).
As my sister once eloquently put it, “The only way we can ever express gratefulness to the One who paid such a dear price to save our souls is to respect His Word and obey His commandments. We cannot do that if we participate in any way in a pagan tradition such as Christmas.”
The Christmas tree is an abomination in the sight of God. There are many complex legends, but essentially the tree represents the slain god, Nimrod, reincarnated as Tammuz, the Babylonian messiah. Suffice to say that the Christmas tree is representative of a pagan idol, the very idol whose honoring is condemned as a great abomination in Ezekiel 8:14. We have heard well-meaning people remark, “So it has pagan roots; I do not worship the tree.” Yet what do they do with it. They drape it with garlands, just as the pagan priest honored his gods in Acts 14:13. They deck it with silver and gold, as the tree idol is decorated in Jeremiah 10:3,4. According to the dictionary, worship can simply mean “great honor and respect.” A plain little green tree seems to get the royal treatment during the Christmas season. It occupies the foremost place in the home where it will be noticed and admired even by passers-by from outside as it stands glistening in the window, bedecked with jewels and arrayed more gloriously than Solomon. If it’s not an idol, why are people so unwilling to give it up? It it’s not an idol, why do they sing “worshipful” songs to it? “O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches.” The “green tree” is mentioned ten times in the Bible and in every instance it is associated with idolatry.
The exchanging of gifts is also a pagan custom. Statues of gods and other trinkets were exchanged during religious festivals in heathen lands. Yet, to quote Albert James Dager, who has written on the subject of Christmas traditions in Media Spotlight, “There is certainly nothing wrong with giving gifts to family and friends out of love and genuine appreciation for what they have meant throughout the year. But it would be far better if those gifts were given spontaneously rather than under pressure to meet the social requirements of a pagan holiday. Here it is important to examine our motives. A gift in itself is certainly not evil. A gift given under pressure is a compromise to one’s conscience and is little more than a bribe.”
Mr. Dager also observes, “The atmosphere of the world during Christmas is evidence of its incompatibility with Christ. The media are filled with advertising and programming that turns Christmas into a hedonistic celebration. Jesus is so rarely mentioned that it’s obvious He has little to do with the day anyhow.”
Why is it that the world, that hates Christ, loves Christmas? Multitudes will accept Jesus as a helpless babe in a manger while rejecting Him as Lord of their lives. I cringe when I hear of ministers of the Gospel, after preaching the Christmas sermon, extend invitations to sinners to “ask the baby Jesus” to come into their hearts. There is no salvation in such a warped concept of surrender to the Living God.
To those who would say, “Let’s put Christ back in Christmas,” I would respond, He was never the “reason for the season” to begin with! Let the world have its tinseled, liquored up Christmas. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Addendum:
Rabbinical Judaism likes to put “fences” around commandments. Why are Messianics so de-fence-less against Christmas? I often hear, “As long as you don’t worship the tree, it’s okay to have it.” Yet the commandment tells us not only “Do not worship idols,” but do not even have them around (Exodus 20:3-5). Does it not concern Messianics to consider what God thinks about the “mystery forms” of imagery claimed to be so harmless? Idols represent the enemy of our souls whether we see it that way or not. Did Yeshua redeem us so we could continue in the “chambers of imagery” that He abhors (Ezekiel 8). What is the difference between a marble statue of Zeus or a bedecked, gaudy tree prominently displayed? Would you place a Buddha in your living room? As long as you don’t worship it, why not? How about a Mary statue? If Messianics find holidays such as Christmas “neutral,” just what does comprise temptations to idolatrous practices in our generation? We are told to “flee from idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:14) but if there is no idolatry to flee from in our post-modern Judeao-Christian world, maybe these Scriptures are irrelevant? Our faith won’t be tested in the 21st century? Let us not be deceived!
Spend quality time with your family, play games with your kids, but try not to trample underfoot the commandments of God in the process. May the Wal-mart doorkeeper, trampled by the Christmas crowd, be a sobering and meaningful metaphor.
11/28/2008
Devolution
VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (CBS) ― We're used to seeing scenes like this across the country -- people running, pushing, trying to get their hands on the great bargains. But on Friday – better known as "Black Friday" to millions upon millions of holiday shoppers across the country, a scene like this turned deadly as a mob stampeded over a security guard at a Long Island Wal-Mart.
The heavy glass and steel sliding doors were literally knocked off their hinges in the shopper-stampede-to-be-first. Then the wave of humanity caved in on defenseless Wal-Mart workers as they opened early -- 5 a.m. -- for the annual bargain hunting ritual that kicks off the morning after Thanksgiving.
"The crowd pushed so forcefully that they crashed the doors down and one of the workers from Wal-Mart was pushed to the floor as the crowd entered the store, many of them running," said Det. Lt. Michael Fleming of the Nassau County Police Department.
Cell phone video obtained by CBS 2 HD shows the 34-year-old part-time employee, hired as a holiday temp, who was crushed in the onslaught pronounced dead an hour later, as responding Nassau police and paramedics tried to save him, but were also jostled and pushed to the ground.
"The man got trampled, stomped on -- everybody banged through the doors," witness Terrence Howard said.
Witness Kimberly Cribbs said all those people who got in went right on shopping after the worker was run over.
"Oh yes, they're savages," Cribbs said.
As 2,000 customers surged ahead, several hundred began cutting the line creating mass chaos. Many bargain-hunters said they watched in horror.
"Pushing in, pounding through the doors to get TVs and electronics," Sean Newman said. "I will never do this again as long as I live. I wish I was never here this morning."
Three other shoppers and a 28-year-old pregnant woman who suffered minor injuries were also taken to hospitals for observation.
"I am happy to report that she did not miscarry and that baby will be okay," Det. Lt. Fleming said.
Eight hours later under police watch the Wal-Mart reopened.
Police have seized surveillance video. Some in the crowd may face criminal charges, amid questions if Wal-Mart's security was adequate as they promoted huge sales.
Wal-Mart issued a statement, which reads: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. We are working closely with the Nassau county police as they investigate what occurred."
http://wcbstv.com/local/walmart.worker.trampled.2.875747.html
The heavy glass and steel sliding doors were literally knocked off their hinges in the shopper-stampede-to-be-first. Then the wave of humanity caved in on defenseless Wal-Mart workers as they opened early -- 5 a.m. -- for the annual bargain hunting ritual that kicks off the morning after Thanksgiving.
"The crowd pushed so forcefully that they crashed the doors down and one of the workers from Wal-Mart was pushed to the floor as the crowd entered the store, many of them running," said Det. Lt. Michael Fleming of the Nassau County Police Department.
Cell phone video obtained by CBS 2 HD shows the 34-year-old part-time employee, hired as a holiday temp, who was crushed in the onslaught pronounced dead an hour later, as responding Nassau police and paramedics tried to save him, but were also jostled and pushed to the ground.
"The man got trampled, stomped on -- everybody banged through the doors," witness Terrence Howard said.
Witness Kimberly Cribbs said all those people who got in went right on shopping after the worker was run over.
"Oh yes, they're savages," Cribbs said.
As 2,000 customers surged ahead, several hundred began cutting the line creating mass chaos. Many bargain-hunters said they watched in horror.
"Pushing in, pounding through the doors to get TVs and electronics," Sean Newman said. "I will never do this again as long as I live. I wish I was never here this morning."
Three other shoppers and a 28-year-old pregnant woman who suffered minor injuries were also taken to hospitals for observation.
"I am happy to report that she did not miscarry and that baby will be okay," Det. Lt. Fleming said.
Eight hours later under police watch the Wal-Mart reopened.
Police have seized surveillance video. Some in the crowd may face criminal charges, amid questions if Wal-Mart's security was adequate as they promoted huge sales.
Wal-Mart issued a statement, which reads: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. We are working closely with the Nassau county police as they investigate what occurred."
http://wcbstv.com/local/walmart.worker.trampled.2.875747.html
11/05/2008
Ahavah/Agape.....A Song about Perfect Love
[Click on title of post or at sidebar link for music]
Pretty Amazing Grace
Music and Lyrics by Neil Diamond
Pretty amazing grace is what you showed me
Pretty amazing grace is who you are
I was an empty vessel
You filled me up inside
And with amazing grace restored my pride
Pretty amazing grace is how you saved me
And with amazing grace reclaimed my heart
Love in the midst of chaos
Calm in the heat of war
Showed with amazing grace what love was for
You forgave my insensitivity
And my attempt to then mislead you
You stood beside a wretch like me
Your pretty amazing grace was all I needed.
Stumbled inside the doorway of your chapel
Humbled and awed by everything I found
Beauty and love surround me
Freed me from what I feared
Asked for amazing grace and you appeared
You overcame my loss of hope and faith
Gave me a truth I could believe in
You led me to a higher place
Showed your amazing grace
When grace was what I needed
Look in a mirror I see your reflection
Open a book you live on every page
I fall and you're there to lift me
You share every road I climb
And with amazing grace you ease my mind
Came to you with empty pockets first
When I returned I was a rich man
Didn't believe love would quench my thirst
But with amazing grace you showed me that it can
In your amazing grace I had a vision
From that amazing place I came to be
Into the night I wandered
Wandering aimlessly
Found your amazing grace to comfort me.
Pretty amazing
(Repeat)
You overcame my loss of hope and faith
Gave me a truth I could believe in.
You led me to that higher place
Showed me that love..... and truth..... and hope...... and grace...... were all I needed.
Pretty Amazing Grace
Music and Lyrics by Neil Diamond
Pretty amazing grace is what you showed me
Pretty amazing grace is who you are
I was an empty vessel
You filled me up inside
And with amazing grace restored my pride
Pretty amazing grace is how you saved me
And with amazing grace reclaimed my heart
Love in the midst of chaos
Calm in the heat of war
Showed with amazing grace what love was for
You forgave my insensitivity
And my attempt to then mislead you
You stood beside a wretch like me
Your pretty amazing grace was all I needed.
Stumbled inside the doorway of your chapel
Humbled and awed by everything I found
Beauty and love surround me
Freed me from what I feared
Asked for amazing grace and you appeared
You overcame my loss of hope and faith
Gave me a truth I could believe in
You led me to a higher place
Showed your amazing grace
When grace was what I needed
Look in a mirror I see your reflection
Open a book you live on every page
I fall and you're there to lift me
You share every road I climb
And with amazing grace you ease my mind
Came to you with empty pockets first
When I returned I was a rich man
Didn't believe love would quench my thirst
But with amazing grace you showed me that it can
In your amazing grace I had a vision
From that amazing place I came to be
Into the night I wandered
Wandering aimlessly
Found your amazing grace to comfort me.
Pretty amazing
(Repeat)
You overcame my loss of hope and faith
Gave me a truth I could believe in.
You led me to that higher place
Showed me that love..... and truth..... and hope...... and grace...... were all I needed.
11/01/2008
Worldview Challenge
Today begins a Worldview Challenge of sorts, reminiscent of the days of Elijah. My friend has agreed to read through the KJV Bible on the schedule I use, and I have agreed to read an Evolution book by Donald Prothero cover to cover, each of us giving fair-minded consideration of the perspective of the other. Which world view will win the war? Which is the Truth? Which is the Lie? This is the battle of the ages, the battle between good and evil. Which is the Good? Which is the Evil? We each think we know the answer to that question. It will be interesting to see whose perspective is changed over the coming weeks and months or if we both remain entrenched in our currrent views. Prayer support requested.
Here is the Bible Pathway devotional for today. Each day’s schedule can be accessed by clicking at the BP Daily Devotional link at my sidebar. I hope others will join us. I have used this method of thru-the-Bible reading for more than 20 years and it helps me remain in close fellowship with the LORD through His Word, learning something significant to greater understanding and obedience each time through the Bible.
May the Spirit of the LORD be encountered in the pages of the inspired Scriptures, convicting of sin and error, instilling faith to believe, providing comfort, and transforming lives.
Comments/Questions are welcome concerning the Bible readings and related topics.
Read John 1 - 3
Highlights In Today's Reading:
JESUS is the WORD; and the WORD who is GOD is JESUS — sent to mankind (1:1-2, 14)! Jesus is rejected by His own (1:9-11), but His believers are received of God (1:12-13). His first miracle is at a marriage event at Cana (2:1-11). He cleanses the Temple (2:13-25).
The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the preexistent, Eternal Word who became one of us. In the beginning was the Word (as recorded in Genesis) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
Because of this, the Holy Spirit led John to recognize Jesus as God, that all things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (1:3). And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31)
John portrays Jesus as the Son of God, the Creator of all things and the Perfector of our lives. But He was also known as a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). He came unto His own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11). In fact, when He spoke of Himself as the fulfillment of prophecy, worshipers in His hometown seized Him, forced Him out of the synagogue, and attempted to kill Him (Luke 4:29). Even His family said of Him: He is beside Himself (Mark 3:21). Judas, one of the chosen Twelve, betrayed Him (John 18:2-3). And His own people, the Israelites, joined with the Romans, and nailed Him to a cross (Mark 14:53; 15:25; Luke 23:1,13,24-25; John 18:12-13).
None of us escape sorrows during our lifetime. But, in sorrow, we follow in the footsteps of our Savior as it is written: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us (II Timothy 2:12). In fact, we should expect that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (3:12).
If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy (blessed) are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled (I Peter 3:14).
If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy (blessed) are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. . . . Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator (4:14,19).
We have the utmost confidence that our Savior and Creator never makes a mistake. Regardless of our suffering, sorrows, or tragedies we can be sure that all things (no exceptions) work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28).
P.S. If you think there is an exception, please read Romans 8:35-39.
Thought for Today:
It is a test of faith to trust God with our lives not knowing how it will work out.
Word Studies:
1:5 the darkness comprehended it not = did not appropriate it; the unbelieving world that cannot see its need for a Savior; 1:39 tenth hour = 4 p.m. by Jewish time, two hours before evening.
Cross References:
For John 1:23: See Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1. John 2:17: See Psalm 69:9.
Here is the Bible Pathway devotional for today. Each day’s schedule can be accessed by clicking at the BP Daily Devotional link at my sidebar. I hope others will join us. I have used this method of thru-the-Bible reading for more than 20 years and it helps me remain in close fellowship with the LORD through His Word, learning something significant to greater understanding and obedience each time through the Bible.
May the Spirit of the LORD be encountered in the pages of the inspired Scriptures, convicting of sin and error, instilling faith to believe, providing comfort, and transforming lives.
Comments/Questions are welcome concerning the Bible readings and related topics.
Read John 1 - 3
Highlights In Today's Reading:
JESUS is the WORD; and the WORD who is GOD is JESUS — sent to mankind (1:1-2, 14)! Jesus is rejected by His own (1:9-11), but His believers are received of God (1:12-13). His first miracle is at a marriage event at Cana (2:1-11). He cleanses the Temple (2:13-25).
The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the preexistent, Eternal Word who became one of us. In the beginning was the Word (as recorded in Genesis) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
Because of this, the Holy Spirit led John to recognize Jesus as God, that all things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (1:3). And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31)
John portrays Jesus as the Son of God, the Creator of all things and the Perfector of our lives. But He was also known as a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). He came unto His own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11). In fact, when He spoke of Himself as the fulfillment of prophecy, worshipers in His hometown seized Him, forced Him out of the synagogue, and attempted to kill Him (Luke 4:29). Even His family said of Him: He is beside Himself (Mark 3:21). Judas, one of the chosen Twelve, betrayed Him (John 18:2-3). And His own people, the Israelites, joined with the Romans, and nailed Him to a cross (Mark 14:53; 15:25; Luke 23:1,13,24-25; John 18:12-13).
None of us escape sorrows during our lifetime. But, in sorrow, we follow in the footsteps of our Savior as it is written: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us (II Timothy 2:12). In fact, we should expect that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (3:12).
If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy (blessed) are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled (I Peter 3:14).
If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy (blessed) are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. . . . Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator (4:14,19).
We have the utmost confidence that our Savior and Creator never makes a mistake. Regardless of our suffering, sorrows, or tragedies we can be sure that all things (no exceptions) work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28).
P.S. If you think there is an exception, please read Romans 8:35-39.
Thought for Today:
It is a test of faith to trust God with our lives not knowing how it will work out.
Word Studies:
1:5 the darkness comprehended it not = did not appropriate it; the unbelieving world that cannot see its need for a Savior; 1:39 tenth hour = 4 p.m. by Jewish time, two hours before evening.
Cross References:
For John 1:23: See Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1. John 2:17: See Psalm 69:9.
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