Questions to reflect on

Bible study questions, from Elisabeth

Why is knowing what you believe on the controversy issues important? Or are they?
What is theology? Is it important in making any decisions of what you believe? John
Father, son, holy Ghost. What’s the different beliefs, some explain a egg example. Leisa
Is father, son, holy spirit 3 different people? Leisa
What is a theological bible study? John
What exactly do you need to know/ belief so you can find a church that you agree with their beliefs/ teaching? Leisa and John
Does missionary groups follow a doctine/ denomination? Yes – usually the church that is supporting them. Varies widely.
Question for study- how do we know we are learning wisdom? If you are studying the Bible, praying, and Worshiping God – you are being trained by God and enabled by the Holy Spirit.

Our God is a Trinity. This means there are three persons in one God and not three Gods.The persons are known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and they have all always existed as three distinct persons. The person of the Father is not the same person as the Son. The person of the Son is not the same person as the Holy Spirit. The person of the Holy Spirit is not the same person as the Father. If you take away any one, there is no God. God has always been a trinity from all eternity: “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God,” (Psalm 90:2).

What is a theological bible study?
Theology – The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions.
What is theology? Is it important in making any decisions of what you believe?

What you believe about God defines many things, especially about your self.
- Origin meaning morality destiny
- Apologist Ravi Zacharias offers what he calls the 3-4-5 method of analyzing worldviews. I would like to share it with you because it will provide you a method with which to judge worldview options.
- First, there are three tests that a worldview must pass. It must be:
  - 1. logically consistent – Its teachings cannot be self-contradictory.
  - 2. empirically adequate – Its teachings must match what we see in reality.
  - 3. existentially relevant – Its teachings must speak directly to how we actually live our lives.
- Second, each worldview must address the following fourultimate questions:
  - 1. origin – Where do the universe and human beings come from?
  - 2. meaning – What is the meaning or purpose of life?
  - 3. morality – How do we know what is right and what is wrong?
  - 4. destiny – What happens to us after we die?
- Third, there are five academic disciplines that must be employed to study a worldview:
  - 1. theology – the study of God
  - 2. metaphysics – the study of what is ultimately real
  - 3. epistemology – the study of how we can know things
  - 4. ethics – the study of moral right and wrong
  - 5. anthropology – the study of what and who humans are
- Why do I believe that the worldview of biblical Christianity is the best choice?
  - Its teachings are logically consistent, they accurately describe reality as it is, and they speak directly to the human condition.
  - In addition, Christianity provides compelling and powerful answers to the questions of origin, meaning, morality, and destiny.
- Finally, the theology, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and anthropology of the Christian worldview are expansively rich and deeply profound – unsurpassed by any other worldview.
- If you are a Christian and you haven’t analyzed Christianity using the 3-4-5 method, you are truly missing out. Read, and read some more. Dig into your faith, as it provides comprehensive answers to life’s most important questions.
- If you are not a Christian, I plead with you to open your heart and mind, and study the Christian worldview. Apply the 3-4-5 method described above, but never forget that Christian doctrine always revolves around a person, Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of our faith, and it is to him that we look.
- https://johnbuna.blog/2020/07/21/origin-meaning-morality-and-destiny/

Why is knowing what you believe on the controversy issues important? Or are they?

Depends on the issue
- If the issue is about Jesus then we need to defend if important
- If the issue is about salvation then we need to know how to explain and defend.

What exactly do you need to know/ belief so you can find a church that you agree with their beliefs/ teaching?

Do they teach the bible, How do they View Jesus? the Trinity? What is their statement of faith or Doctrine? Do they offer Bible Study and prayer group sessions? To answer these questions you have to answer them first for yourself.

Origin Meaning Morality and Destiny

Origin meaning morality destiny

Apologist Ravi Zacharias offers what he calls the 3-4-5 method of analyzing worldviews. I would like to share it with you because it will provide you a method with which to judge worldview options.
First, there are three tests that a worldview must pass. It must be:
1. logically consistent – Its teachings cannot be self-contradictory.
2. empirically adequate – Its teachings must match what we see in reality.
3. existentially relevant – Its teachings must speak directly to how we actually live our lives.
Second, each worldview must address the following fourultimate questions:
1. origin – Where do the universe and human beings come from?
2. meaning – What is the meaning or purpose of life?
3. morality – How do we know what is right and what is wrong?
4. destiny – What happens to us after we die?
Third, there are five academic disciplines that must be employed to study a worldview:
1. theology – the study of God
2. metaphysics – the study of what is ultimately real
3. epistemology – the study of how we can know things
4. ethics – the study of moral right and wrong
5. anthropology – the study of what and who humans are
Why do I believe that the worldview of biblical Christianity is the best choice? Its teachings are logically consistent, they accurately describe reality as it is, and they speak directly to the human condition.
In addition, Christianity provides compelling and powerful answers to the questions of origin, meaning, morality, and destiny.
Finally, the theology, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and anthropology of the Christian worldview are expansively rich and deeply profound – unsurpassed by any other worldview.
If you are a Christian and you haven’t analyzed Christianity using the 3-4-5 method, you are truly missing out. Read, and read some more. Dig into your faith, as it provides comprehensive answers to life’s most important questions.
If you are not a Christian, I plead with you to open your heart and mind, and study the Christian worldview. Apply the 3-4-5 method described above, but never forget that Christian doctrine always revolves around a person, Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of our faith, and it is to him that we look.

Trinity, What is it?

Our God is a Trinity. This means there are three persons in one God and not three Gods.

The persons are known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and they have all always existed as three distinct persons. The person of the Father is not the same person as the Son. The person of the Son is not the same person as the Holy Spirit. The person of the Holy Spirit is not the same person as the Father. If you take away any one, there is no God. God has always been a trinity from all eternity: “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God,” (Psalm 90:2).

God is not one person who took three forms, i.e., the Father who became the Son, who then became the Holy Spirit. This belief is known today as the “Jesus Only Movement” (also known as Oneness Pentecostalism). It is taught by the United Apostolic and United Pentecostal churches and is an incorrect teaching.
Nor is God only one person as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Way International, and the Christadelphians teach. (These groups are classified as non-Christian cults).

The Bible says that there is only one God. Yet, it says that Jesus is God (John 1:1, 14). It says that the Father is God (Phil. 1:2), and it says that the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). Since the Son speaks to the Father, they are distinct persons. Since the Holy Spirit speaks also (Acts 13:2), He is a distinct person. There is one God who exists in three persons.

Tuesday 5-26-2020 Revelation Study Chapters 16-18

https://biblehub.com/revelation/16-2.htmThe First Six Bowls of Wrath1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out on the earth the seven bowls of God’s wrath.” 2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. 3 And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of the dead, and e… See More

Revelation 16:2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

BIBLEHUB.COMRevelation 16:2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.And the first went, and poured out his vial on the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore on the men which had the mark of the beast, and on them which worshipped his image.

Comments

John Hargrovehttps://biblehub.com/revelation/17-3.htm 3And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten hornsBIBLEHUB.COMRevelation 17:3 And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.Revelation 17:3 And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
John HargroveCross ReferencesMatthew 27:28They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.Revelation 1:10On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,Revelation 12:3Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.
John Hargrovehttps://biblehub.com/revelation/16-3.htmBIBLEHUB.COMRevelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of the dead, and every living thing in the sea died.Revelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of the dead, and every living thing in the sea died.
John HargroveCross ReferencesExodus 7:17This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD. Behold, with the staff in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will turn to blood.Acts 2:41Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.Revelation 8:8Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood,
John Hargrovehttps://biblehub.com/revelation/16-4.htmBIBLEHUB.COMRevelation 16:4 And the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned to blood.Revelation 16:4 And the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned to blood.
John HargrovePsalm 78:44He turned their rivers to blood, and from their streams they could not drink.Revelation 8:10Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
John Hargrovehttps://biblehub.com/revelation/16-8.htm The First Six Bowls of Wrath…7And I heard the altar reply: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments.” 8Next, the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given power to scorch the people with fire. 9And the people were scorched by intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues; yet they did not repent and give Him glory.…BIBLEHUB.COMRevelation 16:8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given power to scorch the people with fire.Revelation 16:8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given power to scorch the people with fire.
John HargroveCross ReferencesRevelation 6:12And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,Revelation 14:18Still another angel, with authority over the fire, came from the altar and called out in a loud voice to the angel with the sharp sickle, “Swing your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the vine of the earth, because its grapes are ripe.”
John Hargrovehttps://biblehub.com/revelation/16-10.htm 10 And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish 11 and curse the God of heaven for their pains and sores; yet they did not repent of their deeds.BIBLEHUB.COMRevelation 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguishRevelation 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish
John HargroveCross ReferencesExodus 10:21Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that darkness will spread over the land of Egypt–a palpable darkness.”Exodus 10:22So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days.Isaiah 8:22Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.Revelation 8:12Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun and moon and stars were struck. A third of the stars were darkened, a third of the day was without light, and a third of the night as well.
John Hargrovehttps://biblehub.com/revelation/16-17.htm 17Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!” 18And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake.…BIBLEHUB.COMRevelation 16:17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!”Revelation 16:17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!”
John HargroveCross ReferencesEphesians 2:2in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.Revelation 10:6And he swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it: “There will be no more delay!
John HargroveCross ReferencesIsaiah 29:6you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with windstorm and tempest and flame of consuming fire.Daniel 12:1At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people–everyone whose name is found written in the book–will be delivered.Matthew 24:21For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again.
John Hargrovehttps://biblehub.com/revelation/17-1.htm The Woman on the Beast1Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and told me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. 2The kings of the earth were sexually immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”…BIBLEHUB.COMRevelation 17:1 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and told me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.Revelation 17:1 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and told me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
John HargroveCross ReferencesIsaiah 1:21See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!Jeremiah 2:20″For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, “I will not serve!” Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.Jeremiah 51:13You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come, the thread of your life is cut.Ezekiel 31:4The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field.Nahum 3:4because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft.

Japan and CV19 Wuhan CCP Flu

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-22/did-japan-just-beat-the-virus-without-lockdowns-or-mass-testing

Interesting that this is not covered more widely

Set your heart on things above Col 3:2

So simple and yet I do not do this very often. Today join me in seeking to do this each day, start each day setting my heart and mind on things above (do not skip starting with prayer, Bible reading, making my posts in social media focus on things above)I can do this and you can to by focusing your mind, where you steer the mind, thoughts and actions follow…just like driving a car.

The topic is a thread throughout the Bible on how to do this and it’s importance.

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

1 Chronicles 22:19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 29:3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Psalm 49:11-17Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names…

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Revelation. Focus on chapter 13-16 May 19 2020

Review

AUTHOR: Revelation 1:1,4,9; 22:8

specifically identifies the author of the book of Revelation as John, who is generally identified as the apostle John, the author of the Gospel of John. DATE: The book was likely written between AD 90 and 95.

Revelation presents a glorious, reigning Christ.

The Gospels present Him as a Savior, One who came to take the curse of sin; but in this last book we see no humiliation. In one way Revelation is the most remarkable book in the whole sacred canon. Revelation tells us about the reign of Christ on this earth, which Satan wants to control. It tells of Christ’s complete and eternal victory over Satan. It describes Satan’s defeat and punishment, first for a thousand years and then for eternity.

Revelation was written using symbols.

The hard of hearing have a sign language, each gesture of which is filled with meaning. So it is with every symbol in Revelation: Each of the 300 symbols in this book has a definite meaning and signifies a great truth. This book was sent and signified by the angel to John, but it is the revelation of Jesus Christ, not the revelation of John.

More than 25 times in it we find Christ’s sacrificial title “Lamb.”

In addition, we see a vision of the future of the Church and the world in relation to Christ—events yet to be fulfilled. It has been said that the saving blood of Christ runs through the entire Bible like a red cord. It has also been said that the second coming of Christ runs through the Bible like a golden cord. We are saved and washed clean in His blood so that we may be ready and eager for His return.

In Genesis the heaven and earth were created—in Revelation we see a new heaven and a new earth.

• In Genesis we see the sun and moon appear—in Revelation we read that there is no need of the sun or moon, for Christ is the light of the new heaven.

• In Genesis there is a garden—in Revelation there is a holy city.

• In Genesis there is the marriage of the first Adam—in Revelation there is the marriage supper of the second Adam, Jesus Christ.

• In Genesis we see the beginning of sin—in Revelation sin is done away with.

• In Genesis we see the appearance of the great adversary, Satan, and sorrow and pain and tears—in Revelation we see Satan, sorrow, pain and tears destroyed.

God had determined from the beginning that His Son would be the ruler of this universe (see Isaiah 9:6-7)

. Revelation is the greatest drama of all time. The plot is tense throughout; the final scene is glorious, for Christ comes into His own. The hero is our Lord Himself; the villain is the devil. The actors are the seven churches. The characters unloosed by the seals of chapters 6 and 7 are introduced by four different horsemen. Then those summoned by the trumpets in turn leave the scene of action; and we see the Antichrist, the world ruler, stalking across the stage (see Revelation 13). This incarnation of the devil himself is determined to set up his own kingdom and be worshiped by people. But Christ brings all of Satan’s plans to nothing.

After all the struggle has ended and the beasts have been destroyed and the devil bound and “the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Revelation 21:4-5). This book brings to a climax the great story commenced in Genesis, and as all good stories should, it ends “And they lived happily ever after.” Notice the sevens in this book: • Seven churches • Seven signs • Seven seals • Seven plagues • Seven trumpets • Seven dooms • Seven new things

The Seven Golden Bowls When the seven trumpets sound, Satan releases his power to accomplish his objectives. The seven bowls are God’s power released against Satan. Even though God has revealed Satan’s utter evil, people still blaspheme God and do not repent (see Revelation 16:9,11).

bowls are God’s answer to the devil, blasting his dominion with plagues such as those of Egypt—blood, hail, fire, locusts, darkness, famine, sores, earthquakes, war and death. Satan has dared to challenge God’s power. God is now answering the challenge, unleashing the seven dooms of His wrath on a Christ-rejecting world: 1. Ecclesiastical—Revelation 17 2. Commercial—Revelation 18 3. Political—Revelation 19:11-19 4. The beast and the false prophet—Revelation 19:20-21 5. The nations—Revelation 20:7-9 6. The devil—Revelation 20:10 7. The lost—Revelation 20:11-15 Satan is forced into action. His kingdom is shaken to its foundations and he is undone. This ends in the battle of Armageddon (see Revelation 16:13-16), with Christ taking the leadership of His armies. This battle is fully described in chapters 17–19.

May 3 2020 – Repentance

Repentance requires taking in a whole new point of view; looking at it God’s way. God simply asks us to turn. This is the way we accept His gift. When we do, certain outcomes are promised. If we don’t, or we “turn back”, alternate outcomes are promised.

Look And Live

Numbers 21:8-9 (NIV) The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” …Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

John 6:40a (NIV) “For my father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.”

John 6:29 (NIV) Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Turn Or Burn – always a choice until you die

We all have been bitten, and sin is coursing through our veins. It will most certainly lead to death. There is only one solution, but it is an offense to our ability to save ourselves

Luke 13:3b (NIV) “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Matthew 4:17 (NIV) From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 3:2 (Phi) “You must change your hearts and minds, for the Kingdom of Heaven has arrived!”

Mark 6:12 (TEB) So they went out and preached that people should turn away from their sins.

Acts 2:38 (NIV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The Two Ways

The Wrong Way——–

The “way” we are looking: 1) will make sense if we look long enough; 2) will create desire to move in that direction; and 3) will lead to something. First, we will look at how this applies to man’s way.Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

If our line of sight is along our own way, or the way of the world, then this will begin to make sense to us as we continue to meditate on it, even if the way we are looking is really stupid. With this mind set, desire will spring up, which is the fuel that will lead us to destruction.

James 1:14-15 (NIV) But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV) … “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!…”

The Right Way<——————————–

Ephesians 4:17-24 (NIV) So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (Phi) You were spiritually dead through your sins and failures, all the time you followed this world’s ideas of living, and obeyed the evil ruler of the spiritual realm, who is indeed fully operative today in those who disobey God. We all lived like that in the past, and followed the desires and imaginings of our lower natures, being, in fact, under the wrath of God by nature, like everyone else.

Galatians 5:16 (NIV) So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV) For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

The Gift Of God That Goes With Repentance: New Appetites

1 Peter 2:2 (NIV) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Ps 119:104-105 (NIV) I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore, I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Ps 16:11 (NIV) You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Col 3:2 (NIV) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Ps 101:3a (NIV) I will set before my eyes no vile thing.

Rom 13:14 (NIV) … clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of your sinful nature.

Ps 105:4 (NIV) Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Jesus and Easter

The empty Tomb and Hope

Death is something we all dread, we do not talk about – only when forced to. It is easier to focus on candy and painted eggs than the reality that Jesus was dead, killed by our sins, the ultimate worthy sacrifice, worth more than anything past present or future. Then the empty tomb. Surprise, questions, curiosity. Jesus had to come back many times prior to His ascension to the right hand of God the Father to explain to His disciples and other key witnesses what had happened. He spent three years teaching, preparing anyone who would listen, from his 12 close friends, to the crowds who pressed in for miracles. Yet no one seemed to comprehend that magnificent gift that God has bestowed upon the world. The sting of death was no longer the apparent final ruler, sin could no longer capture and keep anyone who called upon Jesus name.

Jesus won the War to end all Wars. Satan began it when he rejected God. Jesus ended it on the cross.

Thank you Jesus. I have Hope and eternal life in you.

Observations on the ‘News’ machine

“newspapers were actively misrepresenting something to their own public. Someone who read the paper was mistaking the journalist for an intermediary between himself or herself and the product, the piece of news….

So clearly there is an agency problem. There is no difference between a journalist at The Guardian and the restaurant owner in Milan, who, when you ask for a taxi, calls his cousin who does a tour of the city to inflate the meter before showing up. Or the doctor who willfully misdiagnoses you to sell you a drug in which he has a vested interest.”