A Forgotten Memorial Day: The Feast of Pentecost. Why Should Christians Celebrate It? Update.

For “Scripture Sunday”:

A Forgotten Memorial Day: The Feast of Pentecost

Monday, May 28, was Memorial Day in the U.S. But there is another memorial day that commemorates one of the most momentous days in all of history.

On Monday, May 28, most schools, federal offices and some businesses in the United States were closed to observe Memorial Day.  Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday remembering the Americans who died in all the wars fought throughout American history.

A day even more important than Memorial Day—it is the biblical Feast of Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks).

The unique feast of counting

In Leviticus 23 God gave Israel a list of special observances that He declared “the feasts of the LORD” (verse 2). These festivals were to be observed by God’s people as “holy convocations” (verse 2). Israel was to assemble together on these days to worship and learn.

The third festival in this list was unique. Instead of having a fixed date, the date of its observance was based on counting: “You shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath [during the Days of Unleavened Bread], from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath” (verses 15-16). In fact, the name Pentecost is simply the Greek term for “fiftieth.”

Every year when Christians gather to celebrate this day, they remember the events of the Pentecost that began the New Testament Church.A New Testament observance

Many, unfortunately, make the mistake of thinking that this day was just an Old Testament Jewish observance.

But the Bible paints a very different picture!

This special day is featured prominently in the New Testament. In fact, one of the most important events in the history of Christianity took place on this day. And that is no coincidence. Acts 2 tells the story of the beginning of the New Testament Church. You may have heard about some of the events of that day—tongues of fire, speaking in different languages, Peter’s powerful sermon, baptisms, etc. But have you paid close attention to why all these people were together in the first place?

Notice Acts 2:1: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

Yes, the first Christians were assembled to observe Pentecost! What happened on this day would change history forever. On that day, God began the Church of God—a group of people called out of the world and together to be “His own special people” (1 Peter 2:9). No longer would God work only with the nation of Israel. Through the Church, He would now begin calling people of all ethnicities, races and nationalities into a relationship with Him (Romans 9:24; 11:11; Galatians 3:14).

The Bible shows that the Church continued to observe the Feast of Pentecost after this day (Acts 20:16; 1 Corinthians 16:8).       Continued at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/blog/a-forgotten-memorial-day-the-feast-of-pentecost/

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Dear Friends,

The annual festival Pentecost, which takes place during the second of three festival seasons each year. Have you and your children been counting the 50 days from the wave sheaf offering day during the Feast of Unleavened Bread?

The wave sheaf offering and the symbolism of the firstfruits are well worth a review as you prepare for this joyful feast day. Reflect on the gift of the Holy Spirit and what the fruit produced looks like when we allow God’s Spirit to work in our lives. Refresh your knowledge on these topics as well as the miraculous events of the Pentecost service recorded in Acts 2, and be inspired by the beautiful significance of this festival!

Expand your personal study on topics related to Pentecost and

timely activities to be reviewing with your kids now:  https://lifehopeandtruth.com/learning-center/youth-development/

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Why Should Christians Celebrate the Feast of Pentecost?

“Jesus Christ chose the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot in Hebrew) or Pentecost to begin His Church. What is the meaning of Pentecost for Christians today?

Nitin Bhosale/Unsplash

Why should Christians celebrate the Feast of Pentecost?

The third of God’s annual festivals (after the Feast of Unleavened Bread) is the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16-21; Acts 2:1). This festival, also called the Feast of Harvest or Firstfruits (Exodus 23:16; Exodus 34:22), was also the day God first granted His Spirit to the New Testament Church of God (Acts 2).

Pentecost portrays God as the Lord of His harvest, choosing and preparing the firstfruits of His coming Kingdom by giving them His Holy Spirit (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2; Romans 8:23; James 1:18). The preceding festival of Unleavened Bread pictures our commitment to come out of a sinful life and live our lives by God’s perfect laws. But we can’t do this on our own. Pentecost pictures God’s willingness to give His Holy Spirit to provide the power those He has called need.

God’s Holy Spirit empowers us with the love of God, the motivation to obey Him and a sound mind to discern His truth (2 Timothy 1:7; John 15:26; John 16:13). Only those who are led by God’s Spirit are called the sons of God (Romans 8:9, Romans 8:14). These Christians have a pledge or down payment on eternal life (2 Corinthians 5:5) and can look forward to the first resurrection, which is to eternal life in God’s family.

The Church of God, which began on Pentecost (Acts 2), is given the mission of preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God in preparation for the next step in God’s plan, the return of Jesus Christ. This is pictured by the next festival, the Feast of Trumpets.”  From: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/why-should-christians-celebrate-the-feast-of-pentecost

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The Miracle and Meaning of Pentecost

“Noisy and amazing things were happening in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago. But a silent miracle turned out to be the most powerful of all—and it continues to happen to this day!”

https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/plan-of-salvation/pentecost/miracle-and-meaning-of-pentecost/?

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Update.

So why am I showing you articles about Penetost now? 

Because our church, along with many other churches, is celebrating the Holy Day today, 24th. June, 2018.  It is all about how the time is figured from the new moons and when the times and seasons began in Gen. 1:14.  “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:”.

Zack and I spent a couple of mornings putting away the stuff on two tables of the yard sale.  Some went into the van for donating and the better stuff into the greenhouse.  Then at least those two table could be folded up out of the way.  We moved the shelf units out of the 10’ x 20’ storage tent with the torn roof and put them in my greenhouse.  Everything is going to have to be stored in there for now, except that there are still two long tables full of yard sale items in the mini-house carports. But it is going to have to stay there for now, until I have time to sort it out.

This was the week that had been designated to get those annual medical appointments out of the way.  Eyes tested, blood drawn, EKG at the cardiologist.  They did tell me that I have cataracts, and the cardiologist said that I am doing great. He thinks it is because I don’t take any prescriptions!  Rare words coming from a doctor these days. I get the results of the blood next Tuesday at my doctor’s office. 

For the church potluck I made an all organic meal of farro and veggies, (organic  farro, onion, carrots, celery, seasonings).  This was for Lauri, a church member who lives down the road from me, who says that if she doesn’t eat organic she gets migraines.  I also made organic chicken breast with all organic seasonings in a separate crock pot.

I had taken Lauri to Conroe Social Security office to get some paperwork sorted out so that she could transfer her drivers license to TX, as she let her out-of-state one expire, so now I am driving her where she needs to go.  She gets sick very easily, and wouldn’t be going to the Sabbath service, but said that she would be better by today, Sunday, to go to the Pentecost celebration.   All she eats is processed health food out of boxes, and she will not try to improve her diet.  There aren’t any living enzymes in dried food, but she doesn’t seem to understand that. 

The Bible readings were Psa. 119:1-24, Num. 8:1-12:16, about the Passover, Zech.21:10-4-7, 1 Cor 10:6-13, and the Teaching was Are You a Normal or Nominal Christian?

Lauri and I went to the Pentecost service, and she did eat a little bit of the organic farro and chicken dishes that I had prepared for her, but wouldn’t take any home for later.  Just as well, as others in the congregation thought that it was great and ate it all up.

The Bible readings for Pentecost were Exo. 19:1-20:26, Verse 1 says it was the third month since they had left Egypt, which would make it June that they were getting washed and ready for some special event, which turned out to be giving them the 10 Commandments. Then, Isa. 10:31- 12:6, Acts 1:4-8 and 2:1-32. The Teaching was about The Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and the Spirit being in the Old Testament not just the New Testament.

It was a great day.

6 Tips for Being a Good Dad. The Power of the Tongue, Rosanne. Update.

For “Scripture Sunday”:

6 Tips for Being a Good Dad

“Our world is made up of good and bad fathers. What makes a good father? How can you be better at it? Consider these six suggestions for being a better father to your children. 

In my last blog post, I asked the question “Where Have All the Fathers Gone?” That post showed the consequences of absent fathers and why fathers are important.

But if you are a dad (or are expecting to be one soon), how can you become a better father and have a positive impact on your children? I asked various fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, what does a good father do?

Here are some of the answers I got.

A good father:

1. Spends time with his wife. The strongest relationship in the family must be the husband-wife relationship, not the parent-child relationship. This may seem contrary to some modern ideas that say the child is the most important person in the family. But according to family psychologist John Rosemond: “The most important person in an army is the general. The most important person in a corporation is the CEO. The most important person in a classroom is the teacher. And the most important [people] in a family are the parents.” Jesus taught, “What God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mark 10:9). Nothing, including children, should come between a husband and wife. Stronger marriages lead to stronger and more stable children. 
2. Spends time with his children. It is vital for fathers to spend quality time with their children. It is not only important to tell them that you love them, but to demonstrate that love through time together. Some examples could be hiking, fishing, ball games and even menial tasks and activities. A good father tries to avoid (as much as possible) telling his children, “I am too busy.” Sometimes we need to just turn the TV or mobile device off in order to spend quality time with our kids.
3. Hugs and kisses his children. Jesus, though not a physical dad Himself, set an example of embracing children (Mark 10:16). Fathers can learn from this example by regularly showing affection to their kids. Affection helps children know they are loved and worthy of love. Studies show that affection can help children have higher self-esteem, improve their academic performance, develop better parent-child communication and result in fewer psychological and behavior problems.
4. Is consistent. Consistency helps a child feel safe and secure. When a dad abuses alcohol or often loses his temper, he treats his children inconsistently. In these circumstances, children will feel they are walking on eggshells and never know what to expect from their dad. Consistent, kind and loving behavior helps a child feel safe and grow up to be a more stable adult.
5. Lovingly disciplines his children. Good dads set clear and fair household rules and explain the consequences if they are broken—and good dads are consistent with those consequences. Of course, while they are both firm and fair, good dads never abuse their authority. The Bible advises fathers not to be heavy-handed with their children, but to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
6. Helps his children build good character. A common mistake is for parents to primarily seek “happy” children. Happiness is not the ultimate goal—character is. If we desire only happy children, we’ll avoid training and discipline in order to keep them happy. This can lead us to bend the rules and ignore bad behavior. Focusing on character building means we do what’s best for our children, even if it makes them unhappy for a while. Good fathers know that good character will ultimately bring their children true happiness in life.

What isn’t necessary for a good father?

What was interesting about the results of my survey was what was not said. Notice some of the things people didn’t say were required to be a good dad:

• Financial success. In our society where wealth is viewed as the primary indicator of success, no one mentioned money as a requirement to be a good father. Of course, it’s important for a father to be able to feed and support his family (1 Timothy 5:8), but it is dangerous to put financial success before our family (Mark 4:19).
• Best childhood ever.   Some want to give their children the childhood they never had. That can mean spoiling children with luxuries and everything they ask for. But this can lead to ungrateful kids who don’t learn to appreciate what they have. It’s important that fathers help teach their children the value of hard work and that life isn’t all about accumulating things we want (Luke 12:15).

Parenting is not easy. Each of us has our own challenges, and we will all make mistakes along the way. But a father’s greatest goal is to help his children become godly (Malachi 2:15).”  From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/blog/6-tips-for-being-a-good-dad/

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The Power of the Tongue

“Do We Use It for Life or Death

  Harli Marten/Unsplash

“Everyone needs encouragement in this difficult world. Many people are going through so much. Let us all work to use our tongues to make a difference in raising people up instead of tearing people down.

Recently, it was in the headlines of the cancelation of the very popular TV show Rosanne.  It was a comedy show from many years ago that was brought back and became an instant hit.

The cast was on top of the world and headed for awards. It was the number one watched show for ABC. However, all of that came crashing down!

Sadly, the main star of the show tweeted some racist comments that got her fired and led to the cancelation of the show. Her actions left all of her cast and crew without a job.

This recent occurrence made me reflect on how serious how the use of our tongues can affect so many others around us, for good or for bad.

However, the power of our tongue used in a positive way can make a huge difference. Like the true story about Edward. Edward was a six-foot-tall teen whose life was changed by the use of the tongue in a positive way. 

Edward’s music teacher noticed that Edward always sat in the back of the room, all slumped down. She also noticed that Edward had no friends and always ate lunch by himself, often times under a tree. The music teacher would walk by and try to engage him in conversation.

The teacher felt compelled to reach out and encourage him. Her heart went out to this young man.

Edward struggled in her class. His grades were not good at all.

When the students came in to get their last grade from their last exam, the teacher kept looking for Edward in line but did not see him.

The night before, the teacher fretted all night long over the grade she had to give him. It was a D but she wanted so badly to give him a better grade.

While she was getting ready to lock up and go home, Edward finally walked in. He looked horrible. His eyes were all sunken in, he had the same clothes on that he had worn for weeks and his hair was all matted.

He looked at the teacher and said: “I know that I am getting a low grade on my final. I realize that I have not been participating in class and that I am an embarrassment to others. I am lazy, selfish, stupid and an ugly no-good-for-anything person. I have no place on this earth and what’s more, no one can ever love a person like me. I am a hopeless case with absolutely no future.” The teacher let him continue while holding back tears and trying to maintain professionalism.

When he was finished, what she said next turned this young man’s life around. She looked directly into his very sad eyes and said, “Edward, your final grade is an A.” His reaction was one of total and complete surprise. “You are giving me an A? Me? Why would you give me an A when I did such a poor job in class, on my assignments and on my final exam? Why would you do that?”

Her answer to Edward was: “You may appear to be a D student, but you are an A person. I believe in you now, and I will always believe in you. I am here for you now, and I will always be here for you. Never, ever forget that. Now, go and create the life you dream of. Believe in yourself. I will be watching. And by the way Edward, I love you.”

Early the next morning she was awoken at 3 a.m. It was a call from a priest. The priest told the teacher she had saved Edward’s life! The priest went on to tell her that Edward was planning to kill himself after he left her office to receive his grade. He already had it set up and had a written suicide note.

All his life, Edward only heard constant put-downs from his brother. The constant words of hate broke him and nearly drove him to commit suicide. The priest told the teacher her words gave Edwards hope that he was indeed worth something. Her words turned that young man’s life around that day.

Because of this awesome teacher, who spoke the right words, Edward went on to marry and have children and is now a dentist. You can read all of the story here about Edward.

There is so much power in that small member in our mouth, the tongue. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21, New International Version).

Our tongues can be the life and death of a marriage. It can be the life and death of friendships and, yes, life and death of careers. It can even push someone like Edward to become so discouraged they contemplate, or may even commit, suicide.

Our tongues can also do the opposite by lifting someone up. Our tongues can be an instrument for life, like the schoolteacher’s were to Edward. Her words gave Edward life! She gave him a reason to go on.

We live in a very negative, hate-filled world that offers words of death and lies bent on destroying people, attacking everyone in general who do not think or believe the same as we do.

How many times have we heard encouraging words of gratitude and appreciation?

“Jesus said, ‘Out of the abundance of the heart [the] mouth speaks’ ” (Luke 6:45). A critical heart produces a critical tongue. A self-righteous heart produces a judgmental tongue. A bitter heart produces an acerbic [hate-filled] tongue. An ungrateful heart produces a grumbling tongue. What does our heart say?” (“Fill Your Mouth With Life, Not Death,”  Desiring God).

The words we speak will depend on what is in our heart already. We must ask God for a pure heart.

God tells us in Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence” (Proverbs 10:11). We should always look for the best in each other. In Ephesians 4:32 Paul wrote, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Everyone needs encouragement in this difficult world. Many people are going through so much. Let us all work to use our tongues to make a difference in raising people up instead of tearing people down.

Be a healer to others by your words! Ask God to inspire you to say the right thing at the right time. The world is in desperate need for love, so let us do what we can to spread the love that comes from our Father in Heaven.

Use the power of your tongue for healing!”  From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/blogs/the-power-of-the-tongue-do-we-use-it-for-life-or-death

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Update:

This week Zack showed up each day, so we washed some windows that I have advertised, but the prospective buyer didn’t show up.  Then we started to move stuff out of my canvas 10 x 20’ garage/storage tent. After 4 years the roof had rotted and we need to install the new one. 

We set up big tables in the 3 carports in front of the mini-house and put the stuff out for dispay for a yard sale.  The sale was Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but some ignorant person stole my pretty blue ‘Yard Sale’ signs, which really slowed down the traffic.  Also, it is not a good time of the year because people don’t to want to get out of their air-conditioned vehicles into the heat.  Anything big that I wanted gone, I sold for pennies on the dollar, just to get it out of here.  But I had to sort the sfuff out anyway, so this was a good way to do it.

The forecast is for rain for the next few days, so when we closed it down on Friday, everything was stored on the tables covered in plastic in the enlosed carports where we had installed plastic last week.  Now maybe when weather allows, we can put the new roof on the canvas garage/storage tent.   By the time it was all over it was just a muggy, humid day and we were glad that we were done with the yard sale stuff for now.

As I hadn’t even had time to go shopping, I didn’t have any fresh veggies to make for the church potluck.  With the yard sale going on I had to keep my eyes on the front yard. So I defrosted some Ground Turkey Hungarian Goulash that I had made a couple of months ago, and I made a pot of organic lentils in a crockpot.  Another lady, Lauri, who lives down the road needed a ride to church and a stop at the Post Office, so I picked her up and we went together.

The Bible readings carried on where we left off last week at Num. 4:21-7:89, Jud. 13:2-13:25 and Acts 21:17-26. And the Teaching was about the Arrogance of Militant Homosexuals.  I don’t know what got into the Preacher about that, but something must have happened. Maybe Lev.18:22. ‘You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” KJ.

The lentils were well received, some had never had any before.  It is such a shame that people don’t remember the healthy foods these days.

Deceived Christianity: Who Was the Ultimate Perpetrator? Guarding A Dead Rosebush. Update.

  

For “Scripture Sunday”:

Deceived Christianity: Who Was the Ultimate Perpetrator?

“Ancient Rome’s rendering of Christianity became far different from the faith taught in the Bible. Who is ultimately responsible for such a widespread and enduring deception?

In the Garden of Eden God’s adversary persuaded the first man and woman to sin while ridiculing the commands that God had given them.

“And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die”’” (Genesis 3:2-3).

Liar

Satan then contradicted God and lied to the woman: “You will not surely die” (verse 4; see “Do Humans Have an Immortal Soul?”).

Two of the many very clear scriptures that correct that lie are found in the New Testament:

• “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).
• “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

So, beginning in the Garden of Eden, Satan lied to the human race regarding what is right and wrong. By assuring the first man and woman that they would “not surely die,” Satan encouraged Adam and Eve to commit the sin of disobedience.

Adam and Eve bought into Satan’s deception, and from that moment on mankind has had the tendency to decide for himself how he should worship God. Man has decided on his own religions, has his own humanly devised gods, and now has thousands of different denominations to choose from.

A false Christianity

Since his success in the Garden of Eden, Satan has continued to deceive mankind time and time again.

Many of the New Testament writers warned that a great deception was coming that would corrupt the true Christianity instituted by Jesus and taught by the apostles.

The apostle Paul was savvy enough to see that this would happen: “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).

Many of the New Testament writers warned that a great deception was coming that would corrupt the true Christianity instituted by Jesus and taught by the apostles.  Similarly, Jude warned, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once [and] for all [time] delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

The trusting nature of many who have professed traditional Christianity over the centuries is such that they have allowed the ecclesiastical authorities to impose mass deception on them. Very few suspect that many of their traditional beliefs and doctrines stand in place of, and are at odds with, God’s Word.

Jesus Christ was once asked why His disciples did not go along with the tradition of the elders. “He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? … Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”’” (Matthew 15:3, 7-9).

The holidays of men 

Continued at:  https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/blog/deceived-christianity-who-was-the-ultimate-perpetrator/

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Guarding A Dead Rosebush

An Amazing Fact: “Years ago in the old Russian Empire the ruling czar, Nicholas II, was strolling through his vast palace gardens when he came upon a lonely guard standing at attention in a secluded corner of the great meandering gardens. “What are you guarding?” asked the inquisitive ruler. “To tell you the truth, O Great Sovereign, I have no idea, but the captain of the guard ordered me to this post,” the sentry replied.

Czar Nicholas then summoned the captain and made further inquiries as to what was being guarded. The captain of the guard replied, “O Great Sovereign, there are clear written regulations specifying that a guard was to be assigned to that precise corner at all times and this has been done as long as I can remember.” The curious czar then ordered a search to find out why.

The palace archives finally yielded the answer. Years before, Catherine the Great had planted a special rose bush in that corner, and she had firmly ordered a sentry to be posted there to guard it so nothing might disturb or damage it. Now, one hundred years later, even though the rose bush had died long before, sentries were still guarding the now barren corner of dirt, even though no one knew why!

Traditions of faith can be valuable. They may be useful in preserving special experiences or ideals handed down by family or culture. However, we should be careful in what we spend our time guarding! Many religions zealously defend rituals which have lost their meaning. People may faithfully stand by traditions but not know why.

There is a more serious concern regarding traditions that Jesus warned us about. If a custom should ever stand in conflict with the commandments of God, it should be thrown out. Christ told us that holding such traditions makes “the word of God of no effect” (Mark 7:13).

It’s a good idea to reflect on the traditions we keep. Do they conflict with God’s law? If so, we are stepping away from the Bible. It’s like standing guard over a dead bush.   

KEY BIBLE TEXTS
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. Mark 7:7-8

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Update.

The roof of my 10 x 20’ storage tent finally split after three years.  Another one arrived, but what to do with all the stuff on the tables on the left side, as it is so close to the greenhouse that one can’t work outside it? 

Zack and I stapled up some clear plastic on the front open side of the carports in front of the mini-house.  We stapled some screen molding over the edges so that the staples shouldn’t pull through.  That night it stormed, and it blew, and it blew, but the plastic stayed up.  Now we have somewhere to display the stuff, which is for a yard sale anyway, that was kept in the storage tent.

Because of the storm we had to rake up a bunch of pine needles, and light the burn pile, which still burned after all that rain.  Then we put carpet padding down in the bedroom of the mini-house.  But Zack didn’t show up again all week, even though I was supposed to take him to the doctor on Wednesday.  But one worker did finally show up and laid the carpet in the mini-house bedroom. 

As Zack didn’t show up, I spent two mornings doing things in Conroe, one thing was to get my hair cut shorter, and I visited some thrift shops, not to buy, but to donate.  One of the Kroger’s in Conroe has some tree-shaded parking, so now that it is hot, I prefer to go there.  Then I can drive home in a cooler van.

I made two Grassfed Beef and Veggie pies, one for each church, because I wanted to have another crack at going to them both.  So I was at the morning church for the Bible readings, Num, 1:1-4:20, Hos. 2:1-23, Rom 9:22-33, but I left during the hymns to drive down to the other church.  So I wasn’t there for the Teaching. 

The afternoon church has Bible study first, starting at 12.30pm.  Instead, on the second Sabbath, they have Bible Trivia (like Password) and I didn’t want to miss that.  It was very interesting, and really tests one’s Bible knowledge.  So many at that church hugged me and said that they had been thinking about me.  It was so great to see them all again.

The sermon was about fathers, and their duties to be good fathers, according to God’s will.  I did notice some missing faces, and was so devastated to find out that some had succumbed to cancer.  It is so preventable and curable through diet, but people won’t change their ways. Their potluck was great, so many dishes as it is a much larger congregation.  They have a beautiful modern kitchen/dining room attached to a very lovely Austin stone church.

If you know what I mean, it was a very special, unhappy, and yet happy day.

Fed Up With Church? Update.

For Scripture Sunday”:

Fed Up With Church?  Part 1

“To some people the culture and values of the Bible seem bizarre in today’s world. How relevant is the Bible to our culture today? The principles that God teaches us in the scripture transcends cultures.

“To some people the culture and values of the Bible seem bizarre in today’s world. How relevant is the Bible to our culture today? The principles that God teaches us in the scripture transcends cultures.

Video of BT Daily: Fed Up With Church? - Part 1

YouTube: https://youtu.be/tNUBQ6AZP7M

Transcript

[Gary Petty] “I’ve been doing some research on why people become disillusioned or fed up with church. It’s interesting to read why people, you know, they do these surveys, why people say, “Yes, I’m becoming fed up or disillusioned with attending church”. One thing that I thought was very interesting, I’ve been writing down these reasons that people give, is the culture and values of the Bible seem bizarre in today’s world.

And I can understand that, but I want you to think about something. Maybe that’s not really the issue. Maybe our culture is bizarre. Think about the Creator of the universe, think about God. He’s the one who knows how life works. So He’s going to tell us how life is supposed to work. The principles that God teaches us in the scripture transcend cultures. They transcend time. What was wrong for people to do 5000 years ago, to murder, to steal, to hate, to cheat, is just as wrong today. And if you go through all of history and you would find someone following God, if you went through all the Christian history of the New Testament, clear up until today, you would find people asking the same question. How relevant is the Bible in terms of culture to my culture today?

Well, it’s very, very relevant. What I encourage you to do is study up on biblical cultures. Understand why things were said in the Bible and in the context of when it was said to people and then learn how to apply that to your culture. You’ll find that there is something really wrong with our culture, and we need to get in line with God.””

From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/fed-up-with-church-part-1

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Fed Up With Church?: Part 2

“Is the Bible relevant in your daily life? You need to look at the scriptures to see, “What is God telling me? What does God want me to know?”.

Video of BT Daily: Fed Up With Church? - Part 2 https://youtu.be/VuT5XPHe8cc

Transcript:

[Gary Petty] “Today we’re gonna do sort of a part two of a subject I’ve been talking about, “fed up with church.” A lot of people say they’re getting fed up with church, just sort of disillusioned with going to a church, and they give a number of reasons why. And I’ve been looking at different studies and it is interesting why people get disillusioned with church.

One of the reasons that I thought was interesting is, “The Bible has no relevance to my everyday life.” You know, that’s a legitimate reason to look at the Scripture. Is it relevant? Does it have importance to me? You know, when we look at Christianity, everybody accepts the theology that Jesus had to die for your sins and that, because of that death and resurrection, we can be forgiven by God. But they forget something. It’s more than just being forgiven by God. It’s becoming Christlike. We have to grow in our Christianity to act and think and feel more like Jesus Christ did and as he does now with the Father.

So is it relevant? Yes, but here’s the problem we have. We’re intellectually dishonest. What we want and what we define relevancy as, “I want it to fit what I want it to mean. I want the Bible to be what I want it to be.” It’s time that we stop making God in our image and we start thinking about becoming in the image of God. And that means to look at the scripture to see, “What is God telling me? What does God want me to know?”

One of the things that I always tell people to do is go to the Sermon on the Mount, that’s Matthew 5, 6, and 7. Then write it out on a piece of paper or on your computer. Draw a line down the middle and write out every verse. In the other column, write down, “What is Jesus teaching me?” And make it very personal. When you do, you’re gonna find out it is very relevant. But you’re also gonna find that your assumptions about Jesus Christ and about Christianity may not be completely right. I challenge you to do it.”  From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/fed-up-with-church-part-2

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Fed Up With Church?: Part 3

Video of BT Daily: Fed Up With Church? - Part 3   https://youtu.be/G_NWli4dmRs

“Just because you have problems in a church where you go doesn’t mean that you should not attend with other Christians. We are expected to attend with each other.

Transcript

[Gary Petty] “This is part three in our series, “Fed Up with Church.” As I mentioned before, I’m going through a study of why people sort of get fed up with church, and it’s not just young people. We usually think of younger people, millennials, and others, who are sort of disillusioned with church. I read something recently where the people older than them in their 30s and their 40s and even early 50s are getting fed up with their churches for an interesting reason. It seems their churches change their style, adding certain kinds of music and certain kinds of teaching to interest them when they were in their teens and their 20s. They’re older now, and they find that, well, sort of shallow. They want something else.

Everybody’s looking for something else, and that has led a lot of people to believe that, “Well, my relationship with God is personal, and I don’t need to go to church because I’m spiritual, not religious.” Well, you know, all relationships with God is to be personal and all of us are to be spiritual. Now, what many people mean by religious is people who act religious, but they’re really hypocrites. And that’s wrong, but I don’t have to go to church because I’m spiritual. There’s a fundamental problem with that. When you look at the Scripture and you read through the New Testament, every place they went and preached the Gospel, they started congregations, people who assembled together and lived together as Christians interacting with each other. And it was messy. It was difficult. They had problems. They had to learn to get along with each other, and they all had sins and weird personalities sometimes.

All the things we face today, you will find in the New Testament church, but they came together, and they didn’t have the choices we have today. There wasn’t a Christian church on every street corner. They were a small minority in the Roman Empire, many times persecuted. Just because you have problems in a church where you go, and maybe you need to change churches, but it doesn’t mean that you should not attend with other Christians. We are expected to attend with each other. In fact, let’s face it. God is creating a family. We are all his children and if the disciples of Jesus Christ, as his brothers and sisters, can’t get along and we can’t work it out, as hard as it is, that is very sad. What kind of example is that to the world?””   From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/fed-up-with-church-part-3    10 comments

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Update:

Suddenly, Spring has sprung and gone, and it’s HOT here.  It isn’t so much the heat as it is the humid in the mornings, which makes it feel hotter.   Not much done, though one morning we got everything moved out of the bedroom in the mini-house and cut the padding to fit the bedroom.  Now to find someone with a kicker and stretcher to get the carpet laid. 

One morning, Zack got overheated Kiltzing the fence, even though it is in the shade, and we had to quit early.  I was out there, too, clipping the weeds out of his way, but I don’t get so upset by the heat because I have low blood pressure.  Two mornings I had to go to the next town, Conroe, which is a lot larger than our town, to go to Lowes and Home Depot there. 

Also went to “Kitchen Collection”, as I wanted to look at their ceramic lined copper cookware.  I already have the fry pan that I bought on eBay for $15, so I knew I liked them.  I don’t want to cook with unhealthy Teflon any more.  Got rid of my nasty aluminum pots and pans years ago.  They had a 10-piece set on sale for under $50, so then with my senior discount, I had to get them.  Tried them out and they are great, even have comfortable handles, not like the one I already had.   Now, I am looking for a small pressure cooker without a Teflon or aluminum lining.  I hardly ever use my big stainless steel one, but I have been using my little Presto WeeCookerie presure cooker for so much that the Teflon is coming off.  

Then, as usual, Fridays are “Preparation Day”, so that was another week gone.  The time goes faster the older you get!

Four years ago, I had missed several church services when I was in the hospital, and I wanted to catch up.  I had intended to go to both the morning and afternoon churches, and made two Yellow Squash Crustless Pies, one for each church potluck.   They were more like quiche though, and even though I don’t often eat eggs or chesse, I thought it was nummy!   The first one was scarfed down quickly at the church on FM 1097, and I never did get to the afternoon church on FM 830, as there was so much clean-up to do at the morning church.  So I get to eat the second pie! 

The Bible readings were Psa. 146, 147, Lev. 26:3-27, Jer. 16:19-17:14, Mat. 21:33-46 and 2 Cor. 6:14-18. The Teaching was about ‘Why The Jews Don’t Believe He is the Messiah’.  Too many prophecies in the Old Terstament which came true in the New Testment not to believe that He is the Messiah.

Hope that you all gave thanks to our Veterans and had a happy Memorial Day.