"I'll Never Join A Church!" Test Your Knowledge. Eat Your Fruits and Veggies for Disease Prevention. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

"I'll Never Join A Church!"

"Should the mistakes of religious leaders who "fall from grace" keep you from joining God's church? "

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/christian-living/ill-never-join-church

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Bible Misconceptions: Test Your Knowledge

"Ironic, isn’t it? In our modern world, in which so much information is so easily available, along with the information come many common misconceptions.

Here are a couple of examples: “Christopher Columbus discovered America.” Truth or misconception? In fact, it’s far more misconception than truth. When Columbus landed in the New World in 1492, it had already been “discovered” by at least one other explorer prior to him; the Norse explorer Leif Eriksson had arrived on the shores of the Americas at least 500 years earlier.

Here’s another one: Mexican Independence Day is on May 5, or Cinco de Mayo, right? Wrong! No, Mexican Independence Day is on Sept. 16, the day Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1810. Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on that date in 1862.

There are so many other misconceptions in so many areas of life. Those are just a couple of examples from history.

But here at Life, Hope & Truth, one of our goals is to publish the truth about the Bible, a book that has been subject to many common misconceptions. So, let’s try something here. Let’s do a “pop quiz” on some Bible basics to see just a few of the misconceptions. This quiz won’t be complicated—but it may be surprising.

Okay, so here goes: question No. 1. True or false? Jesus was born in late December.

Now, question No. 2: when Jesus was born, He was visited by some men from the east. The Bible tells us it was three wise men. True or false?

Here’s another one: the apostle Peter was unmarried and celibate. True or false? That’s No. 3.

And here’s No. 4: the Bible speaks of purgatory as a destination when sinners die. That’s No. 4.

No. 5. Ready? Adam and Eve ate an apple in the Garden of Eden.

Okay, so let’s move on to No. 6, and see how much you know about the prophets. Ready? Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Got that one? Now No. 7. A little more challenging. True or false: the book of Jeremiah contains more prophecies of the Messiah than any other book of the prophets. What do you think?

Now let’s move on to No. 8. True or false? The New Covenant was instituted by the apostle Paul.

Almost done. Here’s No. 9. Moses was a Jew. True or false?

And finally, here’s question No. 10. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” was first uttered by the apostle Paul.

So, how did you do? The answers are easy—all 10 are false.

Now let’s run through them, and give the right answers.

Question No. 1. No, Jesus was not born in December. In fact He wasn’t born in the winter at all. For an explanation of this, please see our article titled “The Birth of Jesus” on the Life, Hope & Truth website.

Question No. 2. While it’s true that the baby Jesus was visited by wise men from the east, the Scriptures don’t say how many. The number “three” is no more than a guess, a tradition, and likely wrong.

Now question No. 3. The apostle Peter was married. 1 Corinthians 9:5—where he is called “Cephas”—tells us so.

Now, No. 4. Purgatory is nowhere even mentioned in the Scriptures, Old or New. No, not once.

No. 5. Adam and Eve ate a fruit, to be sure, but the Bible only refers to it as a fruit from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:6).

Now No. 6. Jonah may have given a dose of indigestion to a great fish, but it is nowhere identified as a whale.

No. 7 now. No, it’s not Jeremiah whose book features all those prophecies of the Messiah. The book of Isaiah has as many as 20 messianic prophecies. Jeremiah doesn’t even come close.

Still with us? No. 8. The New Covenant—a much debated subject. But no, it wasn’t introduced by the apostle Paul. Jesus Christ, when He passed the wine to His disciples on the Passover evening, invited them to partake of His “blood of the new covenant,” symbolically represented by the wine.

Okay, so now here’s No. 9. Moses was an Israelite, but he was born of the tribe of Levi, not of Judah. All Jews are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews (Exodus 2:1-10).

Finally, No. 10. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It is found in a speech given by the apostle Paul, but in fact he’s quoting from the words of Jesus Christ, recorded in the book of Acts, chapter 20 and verse 35.

So how did you do? There may be some Bible experts out there, and maybe also some who were surprised by the answers. Whatever the case, we can see that misconceptions aren’t limited to world history. In fact, the most important misconceptions are the false ideas about the Bible.

We invite you to visit this site often, but be prepared to be surprised about what the Bible really says!"

For Life, Hope & Truth, I’m Ralph Levy. From: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/speaking-of/bible-misconceptions-test-your-knowledge/

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Vertical News: Eat Your Fruits and Veggies for Disease Prevention

Study proves common sense advice to be accurate, eat plenty of produce!

Source: freeimages.com/MissFran

"Eating your fruits and veggies is good for you, specifically to help prevent chronic illness, according to a study from the University of Adelaide in Australia. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 Chinese participants over the course of five years and discovered a link between chronic illness and the amount of produce included in the diet.

Researchers found that those who consumed a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and specific grains decreased their risk of developing several chronic illnesses. Fruit, it seems, helps to ward off the onset of chronic illness, while vegetables help prevent individuals from developing a second chronic illness, if they already had one. It appears that having a diet high in fruits and vegetables is a tonic for improving health in general (Nicky Phillips, “Fruit, Veggies Delay Onset of Multiple Chronic Diseases, Study Reveals,” The Sydney Morning Herald at SMH.com.au, June 24, 2014).

In Genesis:1:29 God instructs Adam and Eve about the abundance of plants foods available to them, “And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food,’ ” (NKJV). Science continues to discover why this part of God’s creation is so powerful for good health, and how it can benefit us when we include it in our daily nutrition along with lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, and dairy." From: http://www.ucg.org/youth/vertical-news-eat-your-fruits-and-veggies-disease-prevention/

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Update:

Life is everything to do with choices.  I have a sign on my front door that says "Choices have consequences, make good choices", and under it is another one: "Lack of organization on your part, does not constitute and emergency on my part".  Because the people who make the bad choices usually want me to jump up and go help them rectify their "emergency"!

It has been hot and humid and we haven't been able to get much done here.  I think the lawnmower breathed it's last, so I am looking for another one.  Ray went around with a weed eater and tidied up the front of the house.

Jay's little Yorkie Maddie ran into their patio door with such a force that she knocked herself out.  We put her in a comfy bed and rushed her to the vet.  She was just beginning to come around by the time we got there.  The vet said, upon looking into her eyes, that she had a concussion and to keep her quiet and a dark place for a while.  She seems to be alright now.

My latest little foster cat, 'Giovanni' has been in a cage most of his life.  He has gradually been allowed to have the run of my bathroom, bedroom, then living room, and screen porch.  But he has a habit of chewing wires. So far, he has chewed through the wires to my answering machine, computer speakers and bedroom phone.  His real foster mom came over and sprayed the rest of my wires with 'Flooey', a bitter spray, and that seems to have made 'Gio' lose interest in them.  I tried splicing the wires to my answering machine back together, but now it just makes a loud buzz, so I will have to buy another one.

Yesterday, Ray and I went to church.  Jay had overdosed on Dulcolax, so he didn't go.  He always has to overdo everything!  Ray and I enjoyed the service, and the Bible Readings were Psalms 136, 139, 142 and Numbers 16-18.  And the message was interesting, too. It was about how God never changes.  His Word and His Laws stand forever.  We all had a good potluck meal, and had a great day.

Catholic Church Admits Changing The Sabbath. Sabbath Commandment in the New Testament. Saturday in Many Languages. Update.

 

For"Scripture Sunday":

Catholic Church Admits They Changed The Sabbath.

"I have repeatedly offered 1000 dollars to anyone who can proved to me from the bible alone that I am bound to keep Sunday Holy, there is NO SUCH LAW in the Bible."

Published on Jun 20, 2013

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Why is the Sabbath Commandment Not Repeated in the New Testament?

"Jesus Christ and the apostles lived and taught in a Sabbath-keeping society.

Some people believe that, since the Sabbath commandment isn't explicitly repeated in the New Testament, it is no longer binding. But is this true?

The Sabbath commandment did not have to be repeated in the New Testament, simply because the people to whom Jesus Christ and the apostles preached would never have imagined that it needed to be repeated!

The Scriptures that would later be called the Old Testament were their Bible, their guide for living (Romans:15:4). Paul described them as being "given by inspiration of God, and . . . profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy:3:16-17).

The Holy Scriptures clearly commanded them to keep the Sabbath, and the common people accepted that as God's inspired instruction.

Jesus Christ and the apostles lived and taught in a Sabbath-keeping society. Jesus' confrontations with the Pharisees were over how to observe the Sabbath, never over whether to observe it.

When the apostles took their message beyond the confines of Judea, Sabbath observance was well known in other parts of the Roman Empire. Notice, for example, what the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, writing during the New Testament period, said: "The multitude of mankind itself have had a great inclination for a long time to follow our religious observances; for there is not any city of the Grecians, nor any of the barbarians, nor any nation whatsoever, whither our custom of resting on the seventh day hath not come . . . As God himself pervades all the world, so hath our law passed through all the world also" (Against Apion, Book 2, chap. 40).

The examples of Jesus and the apostles confirm that they believed in and obeyed all of the Ten Commandments. Throughout the book of Acts—written by Luke, a gentile —the Sabbath and the annual Sabbaths described in Leviticus 23 are mentioned quite routinely (Acts:13:14, 42, 44; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4, 21; 20:6, 16; 27:9). Whether to observe them simply wasn't a question."  From: http://www.ucg.org/booklet/sunset-sunset-gods-sabbath-rest/was-sabbath-changed-new-testament/why-sabbath-commandment-no/

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Names for Saturday in Many Languages Prove Which Day Is the True Sabbath

"Which day of the week is the biblical Sabbath? It is clear from the names for the seventh day of the week, Saturday, in many languages.

Many are confused over the issue, but such confusion is unnecessary. Not only is the answer plain from history and the Bible, it is also clear from the names for the seventh day of the week, Saturday, in many languages.

For example, the Spanish word for the seventh day of the week, Saturday, is sabado—the same word for "Sabbath." In fact, in more than 100 ancient and modern languages the seventh day of the week was named "Sabbath" or its equivalent. Following is a list of names for the seventh day of the week, Saturday, in 24 languages in which the root word Sabbath is still easily recognizable.

Such widespread use of forms of the word Sabbath for the seventh day of the week, Saturday, is clear evidence that speakers of these languages understood which day is the Sabbath.

Likewise, the fact that in no language do we see "Sabbath" similarly linked with Sunday, the first day of the week, is an obvious confirmation that this day never was considered the biblical Sabbath until later religious leaders tried to substitute Sunday for the true Sabbath day.

Arabic: Sabet

Armenian: Shabat

Bosnian: Subota

Bulgarian: Sabota

Corsican: Sàbatu

Croatian: Subota

Czech: Sobota

Georgian: Sabati

Greek: Savvato

Indonesian: Sabtu

Italian: Sabato

Latin: Sabbatum

Maltese: is-Sibt

Polish: Sobota

Portuguese: S ábado

Romanian: Sambata

Russian: Subbota

Serbian: Subota

Slovak: Sobota

Slovene: Sobota

Somali: Sabti

Spanish: Sabado

Sudanese: Saptu

Ukranian: Subota"

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Update:

Some occurrences around here have rather knocked the stuffing out of me, and I am still not up to par.  Sometimes, I have to force myself to look at this computer.  One was the death of my ex-daughter-in-law, Becky from cancer.  Also, it is really getting me down that they still have not arrested the burglars who robbed my house while I was in the hospital.  They were picked up on another charge, and bonded out!  How slowly moves the long arm of the law. 

Jay has started on a wall in the old carport which is in front of the storeroom, where the Puddle Jumper used to be parked.  This will keep the driving rain out and give more storage or even a greenhouse, on that lot.

After I got wet and cold when shopping for building materials, I came down with a fever and my chest hurt.  It takes 2 weeks to get an appointment at the clinic, so I could have gone there and sat around for hours waiting to be seen, but I just didn't feel well enough.  I thought I had cracked a rib, but it was much better after some Aleve and bed rest.  So I have switched doctors.  This one says that if you call by 8.15 am, that you will be seen that day.  I hope so!

The dog that I rescued had her second trip to the vet to look at her infected ears, and Nala my foster cat went to have her rabies shot and microchip.  SPCA asked if I would pick up one of the cats from the Cat Habitat at Petco and take it to the vet too, as it wasn't feeling well.  The vet told me not to take it back to the habitat as it had something that could be contagious. I couldn't get hold of anyone to ask them where to take it, so I had to isolate it in my grooming room.  Kenya picked it up that night, and another foster mom helped me sanitize the grooming room the next day.   My other foster cat, Siamese Purrcy, went to the sanitized habitat to take it's place.  Now I have Giovanni, a beautiful, gentle, gray male older kitten to keep Nala company.  He is so sweet, and likes to hug your neck, ever so gently.  He is the litter brother of our favorite kitten, Silver Belle, who was here when I was in the hospital.

One Sabbath Jay went with me, and last Sabbath Ray went with me.  The Bible readings were: Psalms 104 and 111, Numbers 13-15, and the sermon was about The Word, and how it has been given to us as a message from God.  We had a good potluck and an enjoyable day. 

4th. July in Prophecy. Forcing Faith. The Liberty Bell. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

The Fourth of July in Prophecy

The events celebrated on the Fourth of July were prophesied over 3,600 years ago. Let’s explore early American history in the light of Bible prophecy.

"On Friday, July 4, the United States celebrated its 238th anniversary.

The Fourth of July holiday celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Though this was when the founders declared that they were fighting for independence from Britain—that independence would only be realized seven years, 1 month and 30 days later when the Treaty of Paris was signed. That treaty officially ended the American Revolution, with Great Britain recognizing the United States as free, sovereign and independent. Part of the reason the Americans were able to defeat the world’s most powerful army was because it had been recently weakened in the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War). But there were many reasons why the American victory over the British Army was miraculous and providential.

Why it had to happen

Okay, you may be asking, why is all this history important?

It was a fulfillment of a prophecy made over 3,600 years ago. As we explain in our article on the “Blessings to Abraham,” certain physical blessings of national greatness were promised to Abraham. These blessings were passed down to his son Isaac, then to Isaac’s son Jacob and finally were given to Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.

Jacob, in a very specific prophecy, declared that Ephraim would become a “multitude of nations” and Manasseh would become a single great nation (Genesis 48:19). Genesis 49:1 reveals that these promises were to be ultimately fulfilled in “the last days”—in other words, the modern era (from our historical viewpoint).

The promise of a “multitude of nations” was fulfilled by the British people—who became an empire and later a commonwealth of nations. Today Ephraim’s promises are primarily fulfilled in the nations of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (as well as other smaller nations that are part of the Commonwealth).

Manasseh’s promise of being a single great nation was fulfilled in the United States of America.

As Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, they would do well to consider that the Declaration of Independence from Britain was necessary in order to fulfill the Genesis 48:19 promise. For the prophecy to be fulfilled, America had to be independent from Britain and had to unite into a unified single nation. The entire history of the development and ratification of the U.S. Constitution was essential for that prophecy to be fulfilled. This understanding helps us to see God’s providential hand in history (Isaiah 46:10)." 

Complete article at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/the-fourth-of-july-in-prophecy/ by Erik Jones - July 4, 2014

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A Lesson From the Hobby Lobby Case: Will You Obey God or Men?

"Hobby Lobby and other corporations stood on their convictions and recently won a U.S. Supreme Court victory. When your beliefs are challenged, what do you do?

Since the Affordable Care Act became law in the United States in 2010, many companies are now required to offer health insurance with contraceptive coverage to their employees. The list of mandated contraceptives includes those that destroy an already fertilized egg. This poses a problem for some business owners who believe life begins at the moment of conception. If they fund these contraceptive methods, they believe they are essentially funding an abortion—something they are morally opposed to.

Because of this dilemma, owners of the craft store Hobby Lobby and about three dozen other companies filed lawsuits seeking to be exempted from offering such contraceptives based on their religious convictions. After going through the lower courts, the case finally came to the Supreme Court.

On June 30, in a 5-4 split decision, the Supreme Court ruled that closely held corporations can be exempted from federal laws that violate the owners’ religious convictions.

The true test of our character is whether we will choose to do what we are convicted is right, regardless of the consequences. Those who lack character often give in to pressure, while those with real character will not.

But what if the court had ruled differently? What would these companies have done then?"  More at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/a-lesson-from-the-hobby-lobby-case-will-you-obey-god-or-men/#more

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and:  Forcing Faith

"The Bible also predicts that our religious freedoms will not always exist in the United States. The opportunities for spreading the everlasting gospel will slowly be removed as ruling powers begin to control people’s lives with tighter constraints, all in the name of safety and protection. Eventually, even the right to buy and sell will be dictated by laws based on religious restrictions (Revelation 13:11–17)."  More at: http://www.amazingfacts.org/news-and-features/af-blog/id/1144/forcing-faith.aspx

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"We commend anyone who stands on principle for a biblical law. But we should also remember that we can’t pick and choose which laws we keep and which we don’t. Mainstream Christianity often defends particular commandments, but ignores others.

The most ignored commandment is the Fourth Commandment—“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). The biblical Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week, Saturday."

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The Liberty Bell

An Amazing Fact: "The Liberty Bell, sometimes called the Bell of the Revolution, or Old Independence, has been a symbol of American patriotism for over 200 years, but it had a rough beginning. Originally cast in London in 1752 and weighing more than 2,000 pounds, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia in August, but cracked during its first test ringing. It was melted down in Philadelphia and recast to make a second bell in June of 1753. It was judged to have a poor tone, which was thought to be from too much copper, so it was melted down again the same year and recast to make the third and final bell.

This is the celebrated Liberty Bell that exists today, made mostly of copper and tin with small amounts of lead, zinc, arsenic, gold, and silver. It hangs from what is believed to be its original yoke, made from 200 pounds of American elm, and when struck it sounds the note of E flat. It was rung on July 8, 1776, to announce the signing of the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming America’s freedom.
During the Revolutionary War, the bell was placed on a wagon, moved 60 miles west to Allentown, and hidden in the floorboards of the Zion Reformed Church to keep it from falling into British hands, where it would have no doubt been melted down to make cannons. After the war, it was rung every July 4 until sometime around 1835, when it cracked
again. No one knows exactly when the Liberty Bell cracked the second time. It is a mystery of history.

Today the 250-year-old icon is a popular attraction in Philadelphia and only rung on special occasions. Many people do not know the bell was first called the Liberty Bell not by patriots of the revolution but by the abolitionists fighting slavery. They chose this name because of the Bible inscription on the bell from Leviticus 25:10 that reads: “Proclaim
liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants.” In retrospect, the cracked bell was a remarkably apt metaphor for a country that was literally split over slavery.

Jesus said whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. So how much does real liberty cost? True liberty involves giving our whole hearts to Christ so He can break our chains of sin." “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. - John 8:34

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Update:

We got a little done around here this week.  The rain stopped us from doing a lot of jobs, and the grass grew up again, but Ray managed to mow on the one dry day.  We put some screw-in shed anchors on the two canopies in case we had high winds.  The Puddle Jumper (little station wagon) was cleaned up. I have started to drive it around the subdivision again, now that I have a dog to take a-walking to the lake when I go pick up Jay.  It does seem strange to be taking care of a sighted dog after the years that I took care of Misty.

Baby Girl is doing well and getting better day by day.  The dog was pleased to see her previous owner, Roni, when she came by while I was walking her.   After Baby Girl had greeted Roni she didn't try to get in Roni's car, but pulled me back towards my house. 

My doctor appointment went well, but the wait time was terrible. I think I will have to go back to my previous doctor, at least she saw me within an hour wait time.  The doctor was pleased with my progress.  We were at the clinic for three hours, because Jay thought that I would get seen early if I got there early.  It came down a real gully-whomper while I was in there.  Jay was outside with the doors open, radio and refrigerator going, got the inside of the car wet, and ran down the battery, so I had to call Road Service for a jump. 

The SPCA foster mom who lives near me, picked up Chelsea for Adoption Day.  They had enough cats, so Nala and Purrcy didn't have to go.  Chelsea was going to be picked up from Adoption Day by her real foster mom. Remember, we only borrowed her to keep Nala company, but now Nala has the little Siamese, Purrcy and the big dog, Baby Girl.

Yesterday, Jay and I went to church.  The Bible readings were Numbers 4:21 – 7:89 and Judges 13:2-24. 

The sermon was about the heritage of the Declaration of Independence (Preamble): "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." From: https://users.wfu.edu/zulick/340/Declaration.html

It says Nature's God, but now, so many are trying to get religion out of our lives when this country was founded upon the Laws of God.  Many of the laws were only found in the Bible.  'They' have stopped prayers in school, etc, but it is still on the front of court houses and on our money.   56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were believers, and 20 were pastors.

Deuteronomy 16:18-19  (NASB)¹⁸ “You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.  You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.

Deuteronomy 17: ¹⁴ “When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, and you possess it and live in it, and you say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations who are around me,’¹⁵ you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses, one from among your countrymen you shall set as king over yourselves; you may not put a foreigner over yourselves who is not your countryman. ¹⁶ Moreover, he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never again return that way.’ ¹⁷ He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself. ¹⁸ “Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. ¹⁹ It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes,²⁰ that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel."

The potluck was super as usual. Everyone had donated some tasty dishes.  Jay took a sweet banana pudding, he mixes CoolWhip in it, so I don't eat it.  One of the dishes that I took was 'Roasted Rutabagas', and several said that they enjoyed it.  We had some visitors from the sister church in Cisco, TX, which made it a special day.