The Power of Pentecost

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 The Power of Pentecost

By Dahni
© 2024, all rights reserved

   This blog Acts2One (Birthday of the Church) began, April 8, 2015. On this same date in 2024, that will be nine years ago. Much has happened since then, but not the purpose of this blog. You can view the first post here: 

http://wp.me/p8DawH-1M 

   Today, I want to share some source inspiration for this blog. It begins here as it ended almost nine years ago with scripture, the same scripture.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.”
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 2:1-4 King James Version

   Almost 44 years ago (1980), a wonderful artist I had met named Meg, was inspired and commissioned to make a large work of art depicting the original day of Pentecost or what I here call Acts2One (The Birthday of the Church). 

The Day of Pentecost—Dechomai © 1980 by The Way International

   “This print is a rendition of the original day of Pentecost, shortly before the twelve apostles received the gift of holy spirit into manifestation. This pictorial rendering was inspired by the record in the Book of Acts as Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille, Founding President of The Way International, expounded it.”

   “The original outpouring of the gift of holy spirit on the day of Pentecost occurred in the Temple, the house of prayer, and only the twelve apostles received into manifestation the original gift from the Holy Spirit.”

“Traditionally, the fire is depicted as hovering above the apostles, but this painting accurately shows it as a “pillar like as of fire” descending, according to Acts 2:3, and splitting into cloven tongues and sitting upon each one of the twelve apostles. The cloud above the Temple and the pillar of fire descending into the Temple represent the outpouring of the gift of holy spirit from God.”

“Seeing the phenomenon of the “cloven tongues like as of fire,” the twelve apostles received the gift of holy spirit and breathed in as Jesus had instructed them to do according to John 20:22. This “breathing in” on the part of all twelve apostles is the “rushing mighty wind,” or “heavy breathing,” of Acts 2:2. Immediately after this historic moment of the outpouring of the gift of holy spirit on the day of Pentecost, the twelve apostles, filled to overflowing with holy spirit, manifested the fullness of the holy spirit by speaking in tongues “as the Spirit [God] gave them utterance.” This was the first time in the history of the world that God made available the new birth, and the twelve apostles were born again, which is to be filled with “power from on high.” This was the birthday of the Church.”

“The First Limited Edition of twenty-five hundred numbered prints of The Day of Pentecost—Dechomai was specially commissioned by the Board of Trustees of The Way International, New Knoxville, Ohio. The original painting was presented to the Board of Trustees on Pentecost Sunday, May 25, 1980, and is on display in The Word Over the World Auditorium.”

“Consideration was given to the ministry research of the day on color and related principles. The color-chord system was employed, utilizing five selected colors in acrylic paints. The original of The Day of Pentecost—Dechomai, from which this print was photographed, is 5½ feet wide by 10 feet high. The size of the print is approximately 27 percent of the original. The Way International Research Department was helpful in insuring the Biblical accuracy of this illustration.”

“May this print bless all who see it, and may they be inspired to manifest the fullness of the gift of holy spirit.”

The Quoted words above are verbatim from: The Way.org

Print Dimensions: 16″ x 20″ available from: The Way.org

   Along with this beautiful image, which helps us understand visually, what occurred on the Day of Pentecost for the first time ever and thousands of years ago, enjoy the following Youtube video. It is also by Way Productions of, The Way International. 

Ready to Manifest (insturumental) © 2021

 

   Now if you want to dispute any of this, Go for it, but I did not write the Bible, I am just…

 

…a witness.

Dahni

“Perfectly” blow our minds

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“Perfectly” blow our minds

By Dahni
© 2023, all rights reserved

Perfect

   Everywhere we turn, poets, singers and songwriters, philosophers and perhaps nearly everyone talk about, speak about, read about, paint about, sing about and contemplate in all ways of the imagination, what is perfect and perfection. Why we even may use and think about perfect imperfection? By this time in our lives and in the vast archives of stored data of human knowledge, what is perfect or perfection is, just as elusive as a butterfly or pretended as fairytales. Perfect is just imagined and imagination is just for children?

   But some might even consider that what is perfect or that perfection is something real and it just needs to be developed as —

Practice makes perfect

   Does practice make perfect? Wouldn’t one need perfect practice to achieve perfection?  😂  And with the facts that we are imperfect, how could we ever become perfect? And with all this imperfection — 

Does this all seem like in the world today, January 7th, 2024

   Does this all seem seem like in the world today, January 7th, 2024 –

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded,’ lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

II Timothy 3:1-5 Kings James Version

   What about Christians, are we or they not affected and perhaps even influenced by what we just read?

“…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

II Timothy 3:12 KJV

Yep, But

   Yep, but we or those Christians can be affected, influenced and that’s a form of persecution. If any will to live godly (live in godliness, live in God), shall (absolutely) suffer), but look at verses 16 and 17 of this same third chapter of II Timothy. Personally, I never saw the conditions of the world and the Christians being persecuted with these next verses, ever before, just the other day! WOW and WOW, now I’m sharing it with you and for FREE. What is the profit of reading this? –

   What is the profit of reading this verse or anything from the Bible?

“All scripture” [from Genesis 1:1 – Revelation 22:21] “is given by inspiration of God” [Greek – θεόπνευστος, ον theopneustos = “God Breathed’], “and” [which] “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for” [which is] “instruction in righteousness.”

II Timothy 3:16 KJV

   WOW, in one verse of scripture, we just read the profit of the whole Word of God, the Bible. Now, in one verse, what is it’s purpose?

   Would you be interested in reading one example of something perfect or perfection, from the Word of God, the Bible? I am interested. But Look at the first word and last word in the entire Bible. Remember, previously in another post, we saw that you and I are hard-wired for stories and this is why artificial intelligence will never replace humans? Where did I possible get that idea?

   Originally, the first word, the very first word in Genesis 1:1 was and should accurately be, “God.” That makes sense, “perfect” sense. Without God being first, there would be no other words to follow or anything, living or non-living of all that He created.

   The very last word in the Bible from Revelation 22:21 always was and still is in English, “Amen.” The word “Amen” literally and simply means – “so be it.” 

GOD SO BE IT!

   “God, so be it! That is the whole story of the Bible, if it were to be told in just a few words. If you were a copywriter (of which I am one), what other direct-response copy is needed to tell His story? None, it is perfect. It’s people that have issues with simplicity and want more details and complexity. Talk about simplicity and perfection, what is the purpose of God’s Word, the Bible?

What is the purpose of God’s Word, the Bible

   What is the purpose of God’s Word the Bible? Are you ready for this, it is going to blow your mind, it blew my mind (figuratively speaking of course.) 😂 The whole purpose of God’s Word (the Bible), is –

“That the man” [all inclusive noun = men and women and children, which can understand] “of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

II Timothy 3:17 KJV

   WOW this Word of God is able to make those willing to follow God [men or women and children at the age of accountability or whatever age the child can understand it] a man, woman or child of God, first of all here, “perfect.” Biblically speaking, a male did not become an adult until he reached the age of 30, nor could any spiritual ministry begin or a king be crowned, in ancient Israel until he became a man at age 30. Up until then, he was a youth. Think about that!

Perfect

   But getting back to this verse, any man, woman or child willing to follow God and His Word who speak for God is, a man, woman or child of God. Look at the next part of this verse –

The purpose of this Word of God is that we who speak for God may be “perfect”

   The purpose of this Word of God is that we who speak for God may be “perfect”? What? Yes, that’s what we read, that’s what it says and that’s what it means. But in the Greek there are several words which in English are translated “perfect.” In this verse, the Greek word is artios ἄρτιος and this is its only usage in the entire Bible. This is highly significant. In ancient Greece, profane literature was non-biblical literature that did not necessarily include expletives or swear words as we think of the profane and profanity of today, but was secular or even mythology, but not scriptural originally. But in profane Greek literature, the Greek word artios (“perfect”), was used as follows –

   Artios was used for a ship (a sailing vessel), totally outfitted for a voyage. It had everything on board to outfit the journey from start to finish. Everyone on board would have everything needed before they left, while they traveled and more than enough, to get them to their final destination. That’s perfection!

   The verse continues to expand upon this perfection. This Word of God’s purpose is for that anyone that speaks for God might be “perfect” how?

   The words “thoroughly furnished” should be translated, “through and throughly perfected” = expanded usage of the verb referring to the noun “perfect” (artios). To what end are the men and women and children of God to be through and throughly perfected? That we who speak for God, may be “through and throughly perfected?“ This completely, completed completeness, this perfection is, in order that we may be –

“thoroughly furnished” – completely, completed in this completeness, this perfection “unto” [to] —

“…good works!”

   Talk about your mega-WOW factor and minds blown! Now, let us put together, all we have read. Even though today, January 7th, 2024 the world all around may seem to be  nuts (insane, evil) –

“lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:”

Excerpt from: II Timothy 3: 1-5 KJV

   And even though we could be affected, influenced and “shall be persecuted” if we will to live a godly life and speak for God, be we God’s men, God’s women or God’s mature children, we all “shall” –

“…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Excerpt from: II Timothy 3:12 KJV

   We have this wonderful Word of God, which is “profitable for doctrine, reproof and correction,” [“which is instruction in righteousness”] or [right living] –

“All scripture” [from Genesis 1:1 – Revelation 22:21] “is given by inspiration of God” [Greek – θεόπνευστος, ον theopneustos = “God Breathed”], “and” [which] “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for” [which is] “instruction in righteousness:”

II Timothy 3:16 literal according to usage

   Why do we have this profitable word even though the world is nuts (insane, evil), and we shall suffer persecution

   Why do we have this profitable word, even though the world is nuts (insane, evil), and we shall suffer persecution?

   We have this wonderful Word of God for one and only one purpose, that we that would live Godly, we that speak for God, might be “perfect” – [“through and throughly perfected”] “unto” [“to”] “all good works!”

“That the man” [all inclusive noun = men and women and children, which can understand] “of God may “be perfect,” “through and throughly perfected” [“to”] “to all good works.”

II Timothy 3:17 literal according to usage

Say What You Just Said

   So what was just said and we read, even though it seems like the following are our times, right now, January 7th, 2024 –

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

II Timothy 3:1-5 Kings James Version

   And –

“…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

II Timothy 3:12 KJV

   But –

“All scripture” [from Genesis 1:1 – Revelation 22:21] “is given by inspiration of God” [Greek – θεόπνευστος, ον theopneustos = “God Breathed”], “and” [“which”] “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for” [‘which is”] “instruction in righteousness:” 

II Timothy 3:16 literal according to usage

   So that –

“That” [whosoever] “of God may be perfect,” [through and throughly perfected to”] “all good works.”

II Timothy 3:17 Expanded translation according to usage

   WOW, mind’s blown! Have a nice day.

   Now if you want to dispute any of this, Go for it, but I did not write the Bible, I am just…

 

…a witness.

Dahni

“The Rainbow Bridge”

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“The Rainbow Bridge”

By Dahni
© 2023, all rights reserved

Bella

 Maybe you knew that our feline friend Bella, passed away just a few days ago and maybe you did not? Maybe you care and maybe not? Even though cats are more independent than dogs, 14 ½ years is a long time to bond with any animal.

 What inspired this post was a few things:

1. We had Bella cremated and picked up her remains from her vet, yesterday

2. Two pieces of mail came today:

   a. a condolence card from Bella’s vet and staff

   b. a condolence card from Susan’s cousin Robin

Bella’s Carved Box

Bella’s foot prints and name in plaster

 

Cover of card from Bella’s Vet & Staff

Comments by Bella’s Vet, Dr. Rebecca Nealey and Staff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The outside of Robin May Magar’s Card

The inside of Robin May Magar’s Card

 

Perhaps this is too much for your liking or wholly unnecessary? Personally, it shows me that there are still people in this world that care. Maybe it is not for our Bella, but for us that cared for Bella? I think it is both. And I believe it is a fitting thing, apropos and shows kindness, good manners and that they all are each, a class act!

 

As I said, we picked up Bella’s remains yesterday from our vet. We had Bella cremated and her ashes are stored in a very nice carved wood box. Bella now joins Ban-de-loo (Bandy), in her box on top of a bookshelf in our Music room, at the Gathering Place (our Home).

 

There are some things about death of which I have evolved with over the years. Besides visiting graves, doing some upkeep and maybe leaving flowers, that’s about all cemeteries were to me. Then I changed. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine having a picnic at a gravesite, but I did. I did not know the person, but I was with others that did and found the experience both historical (a learning experience), and an enjoyable event.

 

Then, I decided for me, cremation was the way to go (so to speak). It should cost less and take up less space. There is that “Ashes to ashes and dust to dust” thing, a common refrain often heard at funerals, or more specifically, at the grave site right before burial. Now as a Christian, I can tell you that the Bible does not specifically say what I quoted above or name “cremation” But the Bible does say this—

 

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return”

 

Genesis 3:19, King James Version

 

So what happens to a body after it is put into the ground. The long, long end to it, it becomes like dirt, dust or ashes. It takes whatever times it takes to get to this state. Cremation is in essence, just speeding up the natural process of returning the body to dust and ashes, by use of heat, around 1800-2000° F.

 

Personally, I do not have a problem with cremation or see God having any issues with cremation. I think it is kind of nice having little reminder-boxes on top of a bookcase with Bandy and Bella. Having said that, I would find it a bit morbid, OK, OK creepy as hell to have an urn with people-person ashes in my home, but to each their own. If it helps you to spend time with their ashes and have a one-way communicate, grieve and mourn— Okeydokey for you, but it’s not for me.

 

As as matter of fact, if you ever hear them (your beloved deceased), talking back, consider making an appointment to see a shrink (psychiatrist), an exorcist of someone you trust that know what they are doing, to cast out the devil spirit! Because, it is a devil spirit is what it is because, the dead stay dead until God gets them all up at the ‘Gathering Together (dead first then those alive), the first or the second resurrection. That’s is provided that God treats animals the same as humans.

 

Please note: A resurrection involves only the dead. ‘The Gathering Together’ first, involves the “dead in Christ” and then we (part of the Church, family & household of God), which are alive when Jesus Christ Returns. Since some are alive, this is why the accurate Bible does not refer to it as a resurrection.

 

Elena Clyne and her dog Major

This brings us to the title of this post, “The Rainbow Bridge.” This refers to both a poem and a fictional albeit some believe it as a true bridge. The poem has long been thought to be by an “unknown author” for a long time. This poem was included in our condolence card from our vet, Bella’s vet and staff.

But this poem was written by a real person about her real dog named ‘Major’ when he passed and she wrote this poem.

 

“Edna Clyne was nineteen years old and living in Inverness, Scotland, in 1959, when her Labrador Retriever named Major died. He was her first dog. Not the family’s first, there had been others in the house, but the first that had been hers alone. “He was a very special dog,” she told me, “Sometimes I would just sit and talk to him, and I felt that he could understand every word I said.” Her mother used to ask how Edna had trained Major to be so gentle and obedient, and she still laughs about the question, explaining that she had never trained him at all, it was natural between them. Many of us who have had pets have known one like that, the one that truly understands, the one who lives as a piece of us.”

 

Excerpt by the article’s author – Paul Koudounaris

Source: https://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/…/the-rainbow…/

 

Page 1 of 2 original -“The Rainbow Bridge”

Page 2 of 2 original -“The Rainbow Bridge”

Our Bella acted as if she understood me and I her. My wife Susan said we two, seemed to have our own language.

 

14 1/2 years for Bella may seem a long time, but it is really not. People often wonder why pets do not live as long as humans. I’ve read and heard it is because they figure out life a lot sooner than we humans do. Another interesting thing to me is that DOG spelled backwards is, GOD. Hmmm

 

For me, it is nice to know that the author of “The Rainbow Bridge” has been identified (see her picture and original poem above). You may or may not have read her poem before? If you have, you may  not know that Edna Clyne wrote it and only that it was credited to that prolific author AKA (also known as), “Unknown” 😂

 

And Before I leave you with the words to “The Rainbow Bridge” it is not a place I believe in nor can find anything in scripture (the Bible), that implies pets go to paradise and/or heaven when they die.

 

I don’t know if the following is figurative or literal (one day we will know), but why not literal–

 

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

 

Revelation 5:13 KJV

 

But I will say that if it somehow gives one comfort to deal with the passing of a beloved pet, to believe they have crossed “The Rainbow Bridge,” so be it. And besides, like the author of this poem was once unknown, and now is known, one day what is for me now unknown, will be known, whether our pets will be there too. I’d be Okeydokey spending eternity with all my four-legged friends!

 

The Rainbow Bridge

By Edna Clyne

© 1959

 

“Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.”

 

“When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.”

 

“All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.”

 

“They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His [Their] bright eyes are intent. His [Their] eager body quivers. Suddenly he [they] begin to run from the group, flying over the green grass, their legs carrying him [them] faster and faster.”

 

“You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.”

 

“Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….”

“Rainbow Bridge Crossing into Animal Heaven” original art by Stella Violano

 

This is nice imagery and has nice sentiments, whether or not it is just a comfort and a fiction we desire to believe or then again, something really that we will know about for sure, in the future?

 

But, thank you to one and all of Palmyra Integrative Animal Hospital and Robin May Magar, for making our burden just a little lighter.

 

   Now if you want to dispute any of this, Go for it, but I did not write the Bible, I am just…

…a witness!

Dahni

Happily Ever After

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Happily Ever After

By Dahni
© 2023, all rights reserved

 

   Happily Ever After? Does this sound like anything biblical or scriptural? This does not seem like anything biblical or scriptural.

   This is a phrase that many people are familiar with, as am I. It has been a part of my life since I was a child. I still use it on a regular basis. So, I thought I would share why I still use this phrase and at least some of its history, History or Origin? Yes, it may not be exactly as you thought or think.

   If like me, you may have heard or read this as a child from some fairytale. Books and stories (fairytales – children or youth fiction mostly), often ended with some use of this such as —

“And (he, she, they) all lived happily ever after!”

   “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After” is typically used as a formulaic ending to a fairy tale or children’s story. Later it was included in romantic novels to describe lovers, wedded or married bliss. Its literal meaning was —

“from then onwards and forever, happiness pervades”

   “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After” got mostly lost, forgotten or fell out of favor when the 21st century happened. Children’s stories today are more Grimm’ (grim), than (bluebird and fairy godmother happy), Disney. By the way, “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After” was never an ending to any of the Grimm Brothers fairy tales.

   The celebrated romance style novels written by Barbara Cartland in the past now avoid the idea that once the bride and groom say their ‘I do’s’ life would be forever idyllic and “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After.”

   The first time that the term “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After” is used in relation to marriage is in Giovanni Boccaccio’s translation of Il Decamerone, 1702 —

“Paganino, hearing the News, married the Widow, and as they were very well acquainted, so they lived very lovingly, and happily, ever after.”

   Whoop-ee-do-dah, there’s nothing there to do with the Bible but…

   Augustin Marlorat was a 16th century, French Protestant reformer. He wrote in – ‘A Catholike and Ecclesiasticall exposition of the Holy Gospell’ in 1570. Yes, that title was written correctly by me and the words were not misspelled. But Agustin wrote the following —

“But after that Christe rose againe from death, then they were apointed ordinary teachers of the church: & in this respecte this honor pertained vnto the ever after”

   And those words above are also written correctly and not misspelled.

   Then in 1574, just four years later, the same writer above said it like this —

“Moreouer John had commended faith sufficiently when he sayde, that the dead whiche dye in the Lord are happie ever after.”

A Catholike exposition vpon the Reuelation of Sainct John, 1574

   Hey, what can I say, this is the way he wrote and liekely spelled and pronounced words in those times. English is a hard language to learn!

   So, the phrase “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After” in at least around the 16th century, meant or was referring to —

“everlasting eternal happiness in heaven.”

   Then the terms or phrases migrated in the 17th century and became “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After.” This was when the princes and princesses of fairy-lore were forever-more (in this life anyway), locked into perpetual — love, romance, and wedded or married bliss.

   Then, I suppose, when children like myself grew up and we first realized life does not always or seldom turns out “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After,” these terms got dropped. It may be the generation of children after mine or the next generation after them may have all grown up never knowing these phrases?

   Today, so many (including myself at times), have become jaded in our thinking, divided from one another, negative and so depressed, we don’t think about or believe in being “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After” either anymore or not too very often. Those of us that grew up with these phrases have seen life throw us in the opposite direction with completely different and adverse consequences.

   If all this lovey-dovey ever after business make you want to gag, many people have riffed on “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After” for what they think or believe are more real-like sentiments.

   I recently read a cynical expression recently and I cannot say that I have not thought something similar —

“crappily ever after is more like it.”

-somone on Twitter-

   What I call ultra-realism is in essence, void of imagination. Imagination is for and just for children correct? The child must grow up and put away their toys. Children must grow up. In part, this is realism, but ultra-realism is as if, there is no place in the world, for imagination. Do you realize our brains do not know the difference between what some call reality and what is imagined or projected in the brain?

   Imagination is the primary and instinctual work of children. It is until, it’s driven out of them. But by imagination— dreams are laid and incubated and visions fledge and fly. These often lead to inventions and technologies. Creativity is stirred, poured and painted on the world canvas. It increases both intellect and whole brain thinking. Imagination forms the notes in the ear and upon the pages of the human heart’s fervent desire for music. Imagination is – the freedom to breathe and think and produce. Imagination is a pulse and moves into and throughout the whole earth like the flow of blood. The great genius Albert Einstein wrote —

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Albert Einstein

   My usage of the phrases “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After” is mostly used with a certain image followed by these words —

“…at least once in awhile”

   I most often use the image to follow in celebrating someone’s birthday. I may use some emojis like: a cake, 🎂 a present, 🎁 a balloon, 🎈 and etc. But rarely do I ever send a birthday card or wish someone a Happy Birthday anymore. Call it my want to just be different, but I send the following image, instead.

   As said before, I most often add the following —

“at least once in while”

   I had a friend that passed away suddenly in July of 2022. She posted for her last time on her Facebook page the following, July 25th, 2022 —

   The same day (07.25.2022), I replied —

   Sadly, the very next day, my friend Kandy was gone. But I am still here and I can write and still encourage anyone that I still believe in being “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After,” “…at least once in awhile!”

   Besides growing up with the fairytale and perhaps child-like phrases as “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After,” where did I come up with and include, “…at least once in awhile!”

   There was this guy that was born in 1946. He is older than I am, but he was a contemporary of my time. His name is James William ???????. He is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, actor and businessman. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an “island escapism” lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, he has recorded many hit songs including one ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America’s list of “Songs of the Century.” It was written in part in Austin, Texas and finished in Key West, Florida. Maybe you know the song “Margaritaville,” which came out in 1977? I have no doubt that this song introduced many people to or even made its namesake drink, a margarita, 🍸even more popular than it may have already been. And I am sure if not fortunes, at least a lot of money has been made from Margaritaville-like drinks and products and merchandise and have contributed to — “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After” “…at least once in awhile!”

   Maybe you know James William ?????? by his nickname (his familiar but shortened real name), Jimmy Buffet?

   Twenty years later or on June 4th, 1996, he put out a new album called, ‘Banana Wind’ and one of the songs is —

Happily Ever After
(Every Now and Then)

“Some people never find it
Some only pretend
But me –
I just want to live Happily After
If only every now and then”

Excerpt from: Happily Ever After’ (Now and Then)
© By Jimmy Buffet, The album ‘Banana Wind’ Published June 4th, 1996

   So, whether for your birthday, any other day, any occasion in this life, for love, for forever in the there-after (eternity), I would each and everyone to be —

“…at least once and a while!”

   In the King James version of the Bible, the word “happy” is used 25 times. You should get out or get a concordance and look up every verse. But here are a few:

“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: (corrects) therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:”

Job 5:17 King James Version

   All scripture from Genesis 1:1 – Revelation 22:21 is as it declares in II Timothy 3:16 is given by inspiration of God. These words, “given by inspiration of God” from the Greek is the one word theopneuustos, which literally means, “God Breathed. This “God Breathed Word” is profitable in three ways — for “doctrine” (which is right believing action), for “reproof” when we fail to apply the doctrine (making practical errors), and to get us back to the “doctrine”, and is therefore profitable for “correction,” which is to correct practical errors that have gone on for so long, false doctrines are the consequence. But God’s Word is profitable to correct these doctrinal errors and get us back to the right “doctrine” or right believing of His “God Breathed” Word.

   These three — doctrine, reproof and correction are instruction in righteousness. Now read the verse from Job again. Man, woman or child (“man” – is an all inclusive noun), is “Happy” if God corrects us and put us back to believing rightly.

“Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”

Psalm 127:5 KJV

   In the above verse, the word “quiver” is figuratively used for one’s children. Today, when population growth is slowing and people decide not to have children for fear of bringing them into a troubled world, they should and we all should, read this verse. And also, it is impossible to even sustain a culture without producing at minimum, 2-3 children per couple. I don’t know about you, but I’d be “Happy” about that!

“Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord,…

Deuteronomy 32:29 KJV

   This refers to an entire country —  Israel being “Happy.”

“For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.”

Psalm 128:2 KJV

“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.”

Psalm 144:15 KJV

“She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”

Proverbs 3:18 KJV

      The wisdom of God (“she is a tree of life”), and makes people “Happy!”

“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”

Proverbs 14:21 KJV

     Having mercy makes one “Happy!”

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

Proverbs 29:18 KJV

      Without vision people perish, but to those that keep God’s Word, they are “Happy!”

      These are but a few examples. Again, I encourage you to look up all the references to the word “Happy” in the King James Version of the Bible

      Oh I do believe that God does want us to be “Happily Ever After” or “Happy Ever After,” now, “every once in awhile” and for “ever after” throughout all eternity!

   Now if you want to dispute any of this, Go for it, but I did not write the Bible, I am just…

…a witness!

Dahni

The Sower and His Seed

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The Sower and His Seed

By Dahni
© 2023, all rights reserved

 

   I woke up recently from a dream and in it, the context was all about, “The sower and his seed.” I could not stop thinking about this parable. But first, let me share with you the evolution of this concept for me currently.

   Since it’s too cold here to stay outside for long, perhaps this is where the whole idea of “spring cleaning” comes from? Can’t go outside, stay busy, and find something to do, occupy my mind? Clean something? Well, this and that and those I was doing a few days ago. I was going through what you might think of as my stuff, too good to throw away. But after years of doing nothing with a lot of it, it was time to throw much away. During my new game of wad-toss-and-throw into the trash or playing a game of trash ball,🗑 I came upon a quote I hand wrote out on the page of a planner I used probably, over ten years ago; maybe longer.

In reading the quote, I could see why I copied it. I probably had every intention of sharing it. I never did. Then recently, I came across it and it apparently had the same affect on me as the first time I saw and saved it, but alas, forgotten it, until just the other day. Today was the day, to share it as it happened, March 14th, 2023. It is the exact same day of the morning I woke up thinking about, “The sower and his seed.”

I copied the quote and looked it up online to see if I had written it down correctly and to make sure the person attributed to have originated it was accurate. In so doing, I noticed there was another line to it. It was unique in that it explains and defines what the first line states. Together or separate, both of the lines are profound. So I decided to start with the first line and shared it as a post on my Facebook page. I promised to share the second line on the following day. But following is, what I wrote.

   You gots’ troubles? Are you a “Great Spirit?” I suspect you are. I really do not know anyone that is not. I do understand there are perhaps many that do not understand that they are not. There are just as likely, many that do not recognize that they are. But labels do not change the contents of one’s inner content. I came across this quote while cleaning up my stuff recently. I probably wrote it down a lot of years ago, but never used it. Today is the day!! Tomorrow, I will share the definition of “Great Minds,” with the second part of this quote.

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”

— A. Einstein —

   For the following day (3/15/2023), I intended to write — yesterday we saw the contrast of “Great Minds” Vs “mediocre minds.” Today we will define the difference. By defining “mediocre minds,” by sheer logic, its direct opposite is— “Great Minds!”

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.”

― Albert Einstein ―

   Conclusion: If we are “Great Minds” and the WE I know are— “Great Minds,” WE need to stop bowing and WE need to especially, stop bowing blindly!

   By the Way, my sister informed me on my Facebook post, that today 3/14/2023 just happens to be, the birthday of Albert Einstein. Cool huh!  😎 Happy Birthday 🎂 Al!

   I like Albert Einstein a lot! It certainly is not because I can relate to him, I’m a genius like him or that I ever was or ever will be as smart as my man Albert! But just being around him (his words), just makes one smarter, don’t you think! 😉👍

   Well, what has this to do with “The sower and his seed?” First, let’s look at persecution.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

II Timothy 3:12 King James Version (KJV)

   This is like Einstein’s quote of greatness encountering “violent opposition” and often by “mediocre minds.” Although this verse does not answer how “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” it does say we shall— absolutely suffer (or endure) persecution. But no matter what kind of persecution we may endure (temporarily), God’s Word has an answer or the solution to that!

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

Romans 8:35 KJV

   Who? Anyone? Anything? Nope or Nay—

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

Romans 8:37

   Be it the evil we all know or can understand, or the evil that just harasses us or the evil that just completely ignores us, God will take care of us. We’ve got much more important things to do. Like what? Like sowing seed!

   Take a look at the whole parable from Luke, chapter 2—

“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Luke 2: 5-8 KJV

   That was really quite straightforward and simple and easy to understand. But the last part of the last verse, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,” means we are going to understand the parable and understand it IF—

a. we keep reading
b. we are the right people to receive it”

   Let’s pick it up in verse nine (9) as Jesus Christ explains what we just read in verses 5-8 above.

”And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Luke 2: 9-15 KJV

   Of course, it is always great to illustrate something you are trying to communicate. I have no doubt Jesus Christ used real things people were familiar with in his day to explain his parables, to those that “had eyes to see and ears to hear.” He likely just pointed to examples in life, in his immediate surroundings to show and tell the Word of God. For myself, as it so happened to me today, I found a beautiful watercolor and the Christian who painted it. And her work is called, “The Sower and His Seed.” Don’t you just marvel whenever you are at the right place and time and say or do the right thing! I sure do! Probably because it’s not that often, but it should be. We are after all, children of the Greatest Mind!

   But I met Susan Minteer online, by way of her watercolor first and then I found her website and then I met her heart, through her works and her words.

   Try to view here image from her website as large as possible. There is much detailed treasure to be found! Now meet Susan—

“My watercolor paintings are an expression of gratitude to The Father for the blessings in my life. I enjoy country living and its continual supply of inspiration for landscapes. A lifetime of gardening gives color, shape and pattern to my floral paintings. Gardens and the countryside are in my roots and in my genes, a heritage shared with many of my viewers and collectors. The intent is to express my visual ideas with emotion, vibrant color, and lively design. I find joy in sharing both the creative process and the resulting artwork with others. I believe that because “we are His workmanship”, creativity is a part of our being. I am grateful for the opportunities I have to share these gifts.”

— Susan Minteer —

‘The Sower and His Seed’ By Susan Minteer, used by permission of the artist

   For more information about Susan and her work visit her website at — https://www.susanminteer.com

   Or better yet, go to her website and find her email. Send her an email and ask about ordering a print of her work ‘The Sower and His Seeds’

   But with the Word of God and this, what is it I saw for the first time ever? Remember the verses that state— “For God so loved the world…” and that He is “not willing that any should perish.” So, everyone has to hear the Word. We read that the Word of God is the “good seed.” It will grow wherever it is sown, but it will only prosper on good soil.

   We, God’s children, are supposed to be the sowers of His Word. And as sowers, we will witness the several places where the seed is sown.

   Some is sown and they hear and their hearts are hardened to keep them from believing and being made whole. They may persecute us.

   Some seed is sown and some with gladness receive, but they have no root and when temptation comes, they fall away. That hurts our hearts as we saw them change and then change back. That is another persecution.

   Some seed is sown and they hear, but turn to the riches and pleasures of this world. This hurts us deeply and could possibly cause us to doubt. This is another kind of persecution.

   Then finally, some seed is sown and we rejoice because it fell “on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” We and these are the “Greatest Minds” because, we are the children of the Greatest Mind!

   Now in conclusion, the incredible thing I saw for the first time ever? It is not my responsibility that the seed I sow is on ANY type of ground! That’s God’s job. I am just a sower.

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:11

   Now if you want to dispute any of this, Go for it, but I did not write the Bible, I am just…

…a witness!

Dahni

Music Opens the Heart to Receive the Word

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Music Opens the Heart to Receive the Word

By Dahni
© 2023, all rights reserved

    Music is beautiful and important to all people. But what is its purpose biblically or spiritually?

“And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick [music] of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the Lord, because his mercy endureth [endures] for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.”

II Chronicles 7:6 King James Version

“…the singers with instruments of musick [music], and such as taught to sing praise.”

II Chronicles 23:13

   One purpose of music, instrumental and/or the voice (which technically is also an instrument), we read from just two verses (there are many, many more), is for “praise.” And we read it was made to “praise the Lord.”

   These songs though instrumental, but especially the lyrics, should never contradict the scriptures. They should always be accurate. Why? “Because God Magnified His Word above all His Name.” – Psalm 138:2b

   Whether figurative (comparison), or literal (actually singing the scriptures), look at this next verse from Psalm 119.

“Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.”

Psalm 119:54

   It is interesting that in every verse of Psalm 119 (and it is a long Psalm with 176 verses), in some manner, God’s word appears in every verse. Did the Psalmist actually sing the scriptures? I do not know. Were the songs accurate according to the Word? Yes. Could they have been sung? Yes, absolutely! Now in just one verse of scripture we will see the other purpose of music.

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

Ezra 7:10

   The other purpose of music biblically and spiritually is to “prepare” the heart to receive the Word, to “do it” and “teach” others. . Hint hint, “praise” and “preparation” may be to us, one and the same, as both “prepare” us to “praise” God for his Word, which He magnified above His name!

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Colossians 3:16

      Perhaps familiar to many is a tune to sing around Psalm 100.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Psalm 100:1-5 KJV

   The Psalm, song or hymn I recall singing was as follows. I apologise I could not find a video of how this sounds that I was happy with.

Make a Joyful Noise

Verse:

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,
All ye, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord, the Lord with gladness:
Come before his presence with singing.

Chorus:

Praise God— hallelujah, glory hallelujah,
Praise God— hallelujah, glory hallelujah,
Praise God— hallelujah, glory hallelujah,
Praise God

Know ye that the Lord he is God:
It is he that hath made us,
And not we ourselves;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Chorus:

Praise God— hallelujah, glory hallelujah,
Praise God— hallelujah, glory hallelujah,
Praise God— hallelujah, glory hallelujah,
Praise God

Verse:

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
And into his courts with praise:
Be thankful unto him,
And bless, bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting;
And his truth endureth
To all generations.

Chorus:

Praise God— hallelujah, glory hallelujah,
Praise God— hallelujah, glory hallelujah,
Praise God— hallelujah, glory hallelujah,
Praise God

   Now enjoy the following YouTube videos.

   First — ‘Savior Redeemer of My Soul’. This is just a beautiful song. What more could a heart desire than beautiful scenery, beautiful people playing beautiful sounds with beautiful instruments, beautifully dressed and adorned. Some are in tuxedos. The lead vocalist is wearing a suit. His voice, is it not a beautiful instrument? Well, of course it is! All the musicians, yes all of them are musicians, blend together. Their individual parts together make a whole and beautiful harmony. I’m sure you may have grown tired over my incessant use of the root word “beautiful,” but are not the following videos not unlike what many think of as— the outside Church of God? 🤗

   I love how this first video closes…

“…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

John 11:25 King James Version

   The Second video (also outside), features the same vocalist we heard above and his wife (singing; also playing the piano), and their young daughter – the Crosby Family.

   The song or hymn they are singing is, ‘Come, thou Fount of every blessing.’ The hymn was written by Robert Robinson (1735-1790), who as a barber’s apprentice, was powerfully influenced by the preaching of George Whitefield.

   A favorite line in the last stanza, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love,” is thought to be particularly autobiographical, referring to Robinson’s early life, when his mother sent him to London to be an apprentice. It was during this time, according to hymnologist Kenneth Osbeck, that “he associated with a notorious gang of hoodlums and lived a debauched life” until he he was changed by God. This song is a reflection of this change that God wrought in Robinson’s life. 

   The lyrics, which dwell on the theme of divine grace, are based on 1 Samuel 7:12, in which the prophet Samuel raises a stone as a monument, saying, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” (KJV). The English transliteration of the name Samuel given to the stone is Ebenezer, meaning Stone of Help. The unusual word Ebenezer commonly appears in hymnal presentations of the lyrics.

   I want to note that beginning with my 69th birthday last December 13th, 2022, I set out to try and find to do things which mattered or make a difference in the lives of others. I looked at my age and looking at the treasure within me, I felt so far below what God has wrought in me. So, each week I set out to do ‘Acts of Kindness’ for 52 weeks, for as many people as possible. One of those weeks was about “preparing” and from that time, just a few short weeks ago, until Christmas Day 2023, I am preparing what is actually called a Dickensian Christmas. You know, Charles Dickens, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and Ebenezer Scrooge and all that stuff from those times. Interesting. I hope our Christmas will be interesting to those that will be here and memorable and “prepare” their hearts to “praise” God, just like Ebenezer was raised, to understand and keep the true meaning of Christmas.

   Few may write songs as powerful or more powerful than this one, but those who have had the joy unspeakable as this, can appreciate the lyrics and the music, just as if, they had written them and sung them themselves! They are like the unspoken words of heart filled of joy, by the divine and unmerited grace of God!

   “Prepare” your heart to “praise” God!

   Now if you want to dispute any of this, my outpouring or Bible quotations, Go for it, but I did not write the Bible, I was in deep internal and eternal joy or I am just…

…a witness!

Dahni

For Those Who Can Relate

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For Those Who Can Relate

By Dahni
© 2023, all rights reserved

   Just a few days ago, my wife Susan and I saw a movie, the ‘Jesus Revolution’ and we later talked about our individual perspectives at the time.

   For Susan, born and raised in NY, she was attending college in a very conservative town in Ohio. One of the cultural things of the times was a mini skirt (not the real short, short one, but skirts that were cut just above the knees. During her time in college, she enthusiastically attended a particular church denomination. She played her flute, sang in the choirs, participated in and in general, loved music and the church music program and some of the liturgy, when in English. Susan was derided about and asked not to wear her short skirts by church leadership. That was the end of that church for Susan. And good for Susan, not caving to stupid religious pressure! 👍

   For my part, the ‘Jesus Revolution’ was like returning (for about 2 hours), to the times, culture, hopes, dreams, clothing, hairstyle, drugs, sex, rock N’ roll, tune in-turn on-turn off, and the music, yes that powerful emotion-sparking music that defined our generation! I say “our generation” because, it was to all of us that. It was that to the age or of those that lived in these times.

   I was neither in CA or NY. I was not in any epic center where this movement started. I was in MO. I was in a college town with some 20,000 students coming from all over the USA and other countries as well.

   I was not a hippie or a Jesus freak, but a freak nonetheless. I was neither anti nor pro Vietnam. I was not an atheist or religious. What I was, like so many others were, was a searcher. I was searching. And I was starving to find something of significance, to the point of —aching hunger. I was empty too.

   I searched and looked everywhere, tried most everything, and found absolutely nothing. At my lowest possible point, I was found.

   Having lived through so many events this movie portrays, I can recall exactly— exactly where I was, what I was doing, and those I was with. I even had and read a copy of the Time magazine written by the man that researched these events personally and published it in Time Magazine, Junes 21st, 1971. Even earlier, May 14th, 1971, Life Magazine did an article on — ‘The Groovy Christians of Rye, NY’.

   Truly, this was a cultural explosion happening in the West and in the East and overtaking the country to all points N. S. E. & W. in the USA and into many countries across the world.

   Another man left his rigid church, stuck in tradition and religion. He had filmed a Biblical research class (Power for Abundant Living), that took nearly 33 hours to make when at those times (about 1967), hot lights forced him to only be able to handle 30 minute segments, before completely changing out of soaked clothing. Later, he went out to CA, specifically to Haight Asbury and taught a handful of these Jesus Freaks, and invited them to come to Ohio. A few did. In 1971 he rode his motorcycle all the way from OH to Rye, NY—A few did. What a culture shock that was for all concerned. God’s Word will either divide people or it will bring them together!

   From CA and NY this culture explosion or like the movie used the term, this mixing of ‘Nitro-Glycerin’ reached me in MO, about 1973. It greatly impacted my world and our entire family — grandparents, our mother and father, my brother, my sister and I. We were all hungry and looking for a vision, for the truth, a family and to make a difference!

   Now having seen this movie — ‘Jesus Revolution’ I am more sympathetic to the current so-called revival of our present times. This started in Asbury Chapel and University, in Wilmore, KY, just a few short days ago (2/8— 2/25/2023). Like my generation, this generation seems quite disillusioned with the way things are and are also, in search of answers. They too want to make a difference. 

   Like my generation, the current generation is in need of more than just a family, a release, and answers. They need leadership to guide them, as did we. We needed and all generations need— vision.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth [keeps] the law [The Word of God], happy is he [plural – pronoun or we and she].”

Proverbs 29:18 King James Version

   And all of this must be centered upon and in the only thing that can accomplish all of these things, which is— the Scriptures, The Bible; The Word of God! I paraphrase, but one of the recurring lines from the movie is— “Let us search the scriptures together.”

   Christianity is not judgmental, unforgiving and rigid like religion, even if they have Christ or Christian in their name! Christianity is about forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, restoration, kindness, family, love and so much more and reaching the outcasts— the flawed, unsuccessful and miserable failures like me. Christianity is about making a difference! It is about knowing the truth and being made free by it!

“and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32 KJV

   To read the text (7 pages), of ‘Groovy Christians of Rye, NY’, Life Magazine May 14, 1971 see:

https://tinyurl.com/mrxk7der

To read the text (11 pages) of ‘The Alternative Jesus: Psychedelic Christ’— Time Magazine, June 21, 1971 see:

https://tinyurl.com/mryv8pyv

Another small article also appeared, ‘Religion: Many Things to Many Men’— Time Magazine, June 21, 1971 see:

https://tinyurl.com/bdzfkcwb

   Jesus was baptized by John. Jesus baptized others, but look what John said about this in the book of John.

“…he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit].  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”

John 1:33,34 KJV

   Look what Luke says in the book of Acts.

“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit] not many days hence.”

Acts 1:5

   From a legal point of view, this verse could mean, with the coming of the greater (baptism of the holy spirit (God’s Gift), by God who is Holy Spirit (with caps), the lesser (water baptism), terminates.

   The Apostle Paul baptized only a few, but in order for them to believe to receive the greater (holy spirit), he baptized them in water. But look what is recorded in the first book of Corinthians.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”

I Corinthians 1:17

   It is really quite simple to understand. Jesus Christ came to fulfil the law. Part of that was to be baptized in water, by John. By law, Jesus himself, baptized others in water. But the 12 apostles in the church saw this entirely new baptism, during an hour of prayer. They saw cloven tongues of fire sit upon each of them. This fire originated from God who is Holy and he is Spirit (both words intended with the first letters of each word in capital letters). It was possible by the work of his son, Jesus Christ, who ascended up far above the heavens and sat down upon the right hand of God. He sat down because, all was complete. It is in his name, his completing all that this holy spirit of God, spilt off into 12 separate flames and it sat (was complete), upon each of them. This was the first time, anyone had ever been born again or baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ. This baptism was not water, but with and in (totally within), holy spirit (the same essence as God almighty). It is called seed. It is God’s spirit, His seed, his children in those baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in holy spirit of The Holy Spirit, which is the Father, God the Creator of the Heaven(s) and the Universe. It is God in Christ, in His Children. All that God is, is in Christ. All that is in Christ (His firstborn), is in His holy children.

   I mention these things so we can understand the truth and not interpret the next image from the movie, ‘Jesus Revolution’. As I’m sure it is intended, we see a longhaired man with his back to us. He is in the water pointing towards heaven. Is he bidding those on shore to come and be baptized? Intentional? I think yes. Is this symbolic of what Jesus did around the sea of Galilee. I think yes. Is this symbolic as if Jesus Christ is the image here? Intentional? I think yes. Were they doing this water baptizing thing  in the 60’s, 70’s and etc.? Yes. Are they still doing this today? Yes. Is it accurate, according to God’s Word? No.

   So view this movie or read the book with this understanding and of the backdrop of any so-called revival taking place currently. Having said all of that, there are some wonderful points and quotes from the movie being made by some of those that were in it, from their interview in the following YouTube video. Enjoy.

   Now if you want to dispute any of this, these times or Bible quotations, Go for it, but I did not write the Bible, I  was in them or I am just…

…a witness!

Dahni

 

Bee-lieve?🐝

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Bee-lieve?🐝
By Dahni
© 2023, all rights reserved

   Manna was the supernatural food God gave to the Israelites during their 40-year wandering in the desert. The word “manna” means “What is it?” in Hebrew. Manna is also known in the Bible as the “bread of heaven,” “corn of heaven,” “angel’s food,” “bread of life” and “spiritual meat.” Remember the words “bread of life,” we will come back to it later. But where do we find this “manna” in the scriptures?

“And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.”

Exodus 16:14

“And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.”

Exodus 16:31

Coriander Seed

“And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.”

Numbers 11:7

   Well, this is all pretty descriptive: small “like” corriander seed, descriptive of its small size in comparison. Tastes like honey, descriptive of its sapor (taste) and the color of  “bdellium.” What is “bdellium” or wazit? Bdellium is any of several African or west Asisan trees of the burseraceous genus Commiphora that yield a gum resin. It is the aromatic gum resin, similar to myrrh, produced by any of these trees.

Bdellium Resin

   Not long after the Jewish people had escaped Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, they ran out of the food they had brought with them. They began to grumble, recalling the tasty meals they had enjoyed when they were slaves.

   God told Moses he would rain down bread from heaven for the people. That evening quail came and covered the camp. The people killed the birds and ate their meat. The next morning, when the dew evaporated, a white substance covered the ground. The Bible describes manna as a fine, flaky substance, white like coriander seed, and tasting like wafers made with honey.

   Moses instructed the people to gather an omer, or about two quarts’ worth, for each person each day. When some of the people tried to save extra, it became wormy and spoiled.

   Manna appeared for six days in a row and for 40 years. On Fridays, the Hebrews were to gather a double portion, because it did not appear on the next day, the Sabbath. And yet, the portion they saved for the Sabbath did not spoil.

After the people gathered the manna, they made it into flour by grinding it with hand mills or crushing it with mortars. Then they boiled the manna in pots and made it into flat cakes. These cakes tasted like pastries baked with olive oil. (Numbers 11:8)

“And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.”

Numbers 11:8

Gathering “Manna”

   Skeptics have tried to explain manna as a natural substance, such as a resin left behind by insects or a product of the tamarisk tree. However, the tamarisk substance appears only in June and July and does not spoil overnight. But what about some other natural substance provided with insight of naturally occurring phenomenon?

   God told Moses to save a jar of manna so future generations could see how the Lord provided for his people in the desert. Aaron filled a jar with an omer of manna and put it in the Ark of the Covenant, in front of the tablets of the Ten Commandments.

   Exodus says the Jews ate manna every day for 40 years. Miraculously, when Joshua and the people came to the border of Canaan and ate the food of the Promised Land, the heavenly manna stopped the next day and was never seen again.

“Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

Exodus 16:4, 5

“I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God. And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.”

Exodus 16:12-15

“And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
“And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.”

Exodus 16: 16-19

“Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted [and thus it was spoiled]. And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe [boil] that ye will seethe [boil]; and that which remaineth over [is left over], lay up for you to be kept until the morning.”

Exodus 16: 20- 23

   So, there were two ways to prepare this “bread” or “Manna” bake it or boil it. Whatever was left over was kept for the following day (the Sabbath = Saturday), when they were not supposed to work.

   Some people tried to gather more each day, but surprise, surprise, it would not keep, but spoiled. We are talking here about dew covering the ground. How thick was this dew? I do not know. But in order for there to have been dew, the ground had to have been holding moisture, which was also necessary for there to have been other life forms such as vegetation and insects etc. In order for this “bread” or “manna” to spoil, it had to have organic matter and moisture content. Then, the earth warmed up (the heat of the day), and this leftover “manna”, was spoiled.

“And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the Lord: to day ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day. And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.”

Exodus 16:24-31

   Having called this manna “bread” it is not coincidence that Jesus Christ was referred often to as, the “bread of life.”

   God is God and can do and does miraculous things for people, but he also follows the laws of the universe and naturally occurring phenomenon. Do you recall Joshua and the people marching around the city of Jericho and then the wall fell flat? The marching is not what caused that. The Jordan River lies on a fault line, where two plates of land are shifting northeast at different speeds. An earthquake likely fell the walls and the Jordan river was damned up just as Joshua and the people went over into the ‘Promised Land’. The awesome-ness about these things is not some unexplained miracle, but God knew long before and prepared his people, for the right moments in time.

   Though I do not know what they are, could not some natural phenomenon have occurred that caused the 10 plagues of Egypt? I do not have a problem believing this or see anything that could possibly contradict the scriptures. To me, what is cool about this is that God knew what was coming and prepared his people.

   And now, what about some naturally occurring phenomenon like Manna? Could it have been a yellowish resin-like substance and about the size of coriander seed, from insects? What if these insects were a ground nesting species of insects? Due to the desert’s temperatures (cool-cold at night), and warm to hot days, could these insects left this resin while they slept at night and then gather it for their nests early in the morning, after the dew melted, but before the heat of day? Maybe they and the children of Israel came to gather at different times? No scriptures show that Israel took all of this “manna” from the ground. They were giving a specific allotment, per person, per day. Maybe whatever was left was more than enough for these insects? What about the Sabbath and there was no “manna” on the ground? Do or did these insects also rest on the 7th day? Maybe they gathered twice as much the day before, to rest on the 7th day? Were they instinctively living — the law of rest?

   Well, what is it (this), or wazit’? What if the insects were a particular species of ground nesting bees? What if this “manna” or “bread from heaven” was Bee pollen? I don’t know, but this is surely a logical and plausible possibility!

Bee Pollen

   Bee pollen is a mixture of flower pollen, nectar or honey, and bees’ digestive enzymes. What is it or wazit’ good for? It is a super food – Rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, amino acids, and antioxidants. Use as an aid in recovering from illness, digestive discomfort, lack of vitality, and as an overall restorative component for good health, pollen has become noted by the alternative medicine world as a superfood.

   Is bee pollen small like coriander seed? Yes. Does bee pollen have the color like bdellium resin? Yes.

   Can bee pollen go bad or could bee pollen spoil? Yes.

   Bee pollen has a high moisture content, around 25%. That is enough for bacteria and fungus to proliferate if given enough time and the right conditions. It is best to use within the first 24 hours or so, unless frozen. Bee pollen today, is often freeze-dried to preserve its properties and flavor.

   When foraging bees fly from flower to flower, they pick up pollen, pack it into pellets, and carry them back to the hive with their legs. By the way, generally speaking, flowers grow up from the earth and bees, flying from flower to flower is technically heaven as defined as – any place above the earth. So the term “bread of heaven” is accurate.

   There are some species of bees whose nests are, on the ground.

   The pellets (bee pollen), are stored as food for the colony. Beekeepers use pollen traps at hive entrances to collect the pollen. Why, because bee pollen is best preserved immediately after harvest by freezing, slow drying or by freeze-drying.

   What about collecting two days worth, when Israel was not supposed to work on the Sabbath (Saturday)? Would the bee pollen spoil as it did when people tried to collect more than a day’s share? For this, the people ate their daily or first ration and then they could grind the rest into cakes mixed with oil (likely olive oil). Baking is one of two ways Israel could prepare their daily “manna” their, “give us this day our daily bread.” Besides helping to prevent burning when they cooked these pastry-like cakes, olive oil is a preservative.

   So what do you think? I am excited to share this with you. I have wanted to know what “manna’ was, ever since I first heard about it when I was a young child. Like I said, do I know this for certain? No, but I am quite excited about its real possibility! So what do you Bee-lieve? 🐝

Ground Nesting Bee

   Now if you want to dispute any of this (Bible quotations), Go for it, but I did not write the Bible, I am just…

…a witness!

Dahni

Revival

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Revival
By Dahni
© 2023, all rights reserved

The Ashbury Revival in Wilmore, KY and its affects on other Churches and Communities

   Is this real? Is this a real revival? I have read articles and articles about this and its history. I have seen posts all over social media. I have seen videos about this. Much of this has come from sincere and albeit good-hearted and good-intentioned people, some of whom I personally know. Is this real? I do not know. I am not there and neither am I moved to be. As from one that has studied God’s Word for over 50 years, I can only write two things: my personal observation of published events and what the Bible says.

   Of all that I have read and seen about this so called revival, now in its about 10th consecutive day is, what is clearly missing. No one has or is saying anything about God’s Word. There are no scriptures backing up this ‘thing.’ OK, so what does the Bible say?

“For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

Hebrews 2:2-4 King James Version

   First, the Word of God (the rightly divided word of God), needs to be spoken or taught privately or publicly. See: II Timothy 2:15 “rightly dividing…” With “rightly dividing,” the truth by sheer logic, could possibility be wrongly divided. Here is an example of rightly dividing the truth. It is a prophecy in the Old Testament, about the future coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

“To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God…”

Isaiah 61:2 KJV

   Even in English we can see that there are exactly 16 words above: 8 to the left and 8 to the right. Now, let me ask, do you think Jesus Christ “rightly divided” God word? Did he ever speak any or part of this verse from Isaiah? Open your Bibles to the book of Luke and chapter 4.

   Jesus Christ had spent 40 days and 40 nights being tempted in the desert. Look what is the first thing he did.

“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

Luke 4:16-21

   40 days and 40 nights, after which he was hungry and thirsty, but all we read is that the first thing he does is teach God Word. But before that, out of respect for God’s Word, Jesus stands up and he reads the first part of the verse in Isaiah, we read before. Those words “To preach the acceptable year of the Lord…” are just eight (8), words in number. He read them and only those eight words and the scroll was closed and the people, their eyes were “fasted on him,” I would think were waiting for what he had to say next. Then he sat down why, because the custom was if you were going to read from God’s Word you stood up. Then, if you were going to preach (publicly expound the scriptures), or teach, you sat down so that all knew you could be and should be still teaching the truth, but not necessarily from the scriptures, and you would maybe not be telling the truth. This custom was to assure others that you were reading from God’s Word and it was for respect to God and for His Word to stand up while reading. Where does this respect idea come from? What does God think of His own Word and what does He have to say about his Word?

“…for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”

Psalm 138:2b KJV

   Notice this verse does not say God set His word above his name or “above all” His name. He, God, “magnified His Word above all His name!” His name represents all He has ever done, is doing now or shall ever do. God has a great respect for His own Word. So did Jesus Christ. What is so important? Here is another verse I am quite sure most, if not everyone has heard in some manner and with likely, or at least, one changed word. Look at the book of John and in chapter 8:32

   And the truth will set you free? Is this what John 8:32 says?

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32 KJV

   “Ye” is just the King James language for the pronoun “you.” The next word “shall” is not the word will or maybe, but “shall,” which is the absolute tense or absolutely. It does not then say your truth or my truth, or any other truth, other than, “the truth!” And “the truth” “shall” (again in the absolute tense or absolutely), “make” not set you free. What difference does it make? It makes a great deal of difference to God and it should to you, anyone and I. It is a matter of the integrity and accuracy of God’s Word. If we cannot trust Him in every word that — He means what He says, where He says it, when He says it, How He says it and to whom He says it, it makes all the difference as between night and day and between error and truth. And unless it is “the truth,” none can be “made free!”

   Perhaps if the doors to a jail cell were opened, the prisoner could be set free. But if they just stayed in their cell with the door opened, they might have been set free, but they are certainly not— “made free!” God not only want’s to set the captives free, He wants to take them out of captivity and prepare them to live free. That’s what being “made free” means! And the only way to be absolutely “made free” is, to absolutely know — “the truth!”

   Let us go back to Jesus Christ in Luke 4. Why did he only read half, the first half and the first eight (8), words from Isaiah 61 – “To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,…,” close the book (scroll), and then say, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears,” it is very, very simple. Had he read the other 8 (eight), words or the entire verse from Isaiah 61, the whole Bible would fall apart! “The acceptable year of the Lord” was for the day and time in which he spoke. “The day of vengeance of our God,” is sometime in the future. When is this? I do not know, but it is — sometime in the future.

   Are there any examples in scripture one could call a revival or a movement of God in culture? Yes! Under the leadership of one man (the Apostle Paul), beginning with about 12 households, Paul taught and disciples taught by the space of about 2 years and three months, to all which dwelt in Asia (Asia Minor), Jews and Gentiles. They heard the Word of God, God’s Magnified and Rightly Divided Word and it was confirmed by signs, miracles, and wonders. Mind you, this was done by word of mouth, face to face – each one reaching one, from house to house and without mass media, mass communication, mass transportation, without the Internet, pre-planned marketing campaign or a major crusade-designed plan in advance, by all the churches!

“And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

   See: Acts 19 What was really the motivation and end result of all of this?

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

Acts 19:20

   What not only grew, but “mightily grew”? What “prevailed” to the point it got into the entire culture? God’s Word! Was it “magnified”? Yes! Was it “rightly divided”? Yes! Did it “make” people “free”? Yes! Was it confirmed by signs, miracles and wonders? Yes! Don’t take my word for it, just go back and read Acts, chapter 19!

   In conclusion, let us read one last time, from Hebrews 2 –

“For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

Hebrews 2:2-4 King James Version

   A movement of God, a revival, a crusade or whatever it is, begins by first speaking God’s Word “rightly divided“. Why, because is is only “the truth” that can “make you free!” Then, the signs miracles and wonders follow. This is still, the only way to do it!

   Now if you want to dispute any of this (Bible quotations), Go for it, but I did not write the the Bible, I am just…

…a witness!

Dahni

The Heart of a Card

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The Heart of a Card
By Dahni
© 2022, all rights reserved

   I recently had a birthday. Yes, I am now officially as old as dirt. I do wonder where all the time went. Somewhere along the way, I looked into the mirror and wondered who that old guy was starring back at me. And what happened to the children in my life. When did they all grow up? Did I miss some memo?

   Well, I don’t believe age has anything to do with anything that really matters! I mean, it’s the simplest things in the past that matter the most in the present and the future. Like cards, annual newsletters and homemade gifts, they brought me such joy and these are what matters the most! When did they fall from grace or fall out of favor? When was the last time your trudged along or floated to the post office or mail box for something addressed to you? Oh no, not the printed looks-like script with real postage, or junk mail, but something handwritten to you. Did your heart skip a beat because, that depressed you or was it from from the excitement and anticipation of whom it was from and what was sent to you? Come on, it made you glad didn’t it? Perhaps it even made your day? Maybe it might have even saved your life? Oh yes, that is all possible from a card, a note or something handmade or at least hand addressed to you that someone cared enough about you, to send you their very best.

   This is certainty not to make anyone feel bad or to make them feel guilty to the point they send a card without first having their heart in it. I’m telling you, most of the people that do all the giving and serving and dying for others in this country and over the whole earth, were not born with silver spoons in their mouths (are not rich – wealthy). No, the better part of most, care about simple things the most. They matter to us and these matter to most everyone. But guess how many cards I received in the mail for my birthday? Not a single one!

   Should I be grateful that my wife at least was the only one that gave me a birthday card? Yes, I am. Am I grateful for the digital well-wishes I received online? Yes. Are these the same as real, hand written, hand-addressed, hand sealed, hand stamped and hand sent cards and letters? No they are not!

   I know times are tough. I live in the same times as you do and they are tough for me as well. There never seems enough money to do the things I want and even need to do at times. It never seems I can ever do enough for people. These have been very blue times for me, sad times and even those that I have even despaired of life. Staying busy and especially doing things for others is a very working solution to this heart-robber! I know there always seems so little time for what I call the “important things.” There are no “things” more important than people anyway! I am reminded of a now recalled quote –

“Things are made to be used. People are made to be loved”
-unknown-

   Yes, I do realize that even cards are expensive nowadays and can be several dollars. It’s difficult, if not nearly impossible to send out Christmas cards to family and friends these days. A single postage stamp is almost a dollar. Then there is the time it takes to write a message, address, sign, seal and send (from your postbox attached to your home or business or on a post at the side of your road, a post office box or your actual local post office.

   Let’s get real honest and make this perfectly clear. It’s not just me, but almost everyone would rather have a physical card or letter addressed to them from someone they know, love and admire. From the surprise on our faces when we see something in the mail that is addressed to us by hand, we know! The surprise when it is so unexpected, but from someone we know, we know the joy it has brought to our faces and spines! Then those—  feels like butterflies, from anticipating what we will find inside, we remember! We know what this feel like. 

   You may feel like you just can’t compete with the sentiments on and inside store-bought cards so, why bother? Answer me this. Did you receive a friend first or was it their card which made you friends? You and I (if we have fiends and loved ones), know better what to say than any card! We know our friends and loved ones hearts and they know ours, better than Hallmark or any other Greeting Card Company or maker. They are our treasures and we are theirs! So, anything, anything we write will be to them, a “treasure!”

   I just believe we have lost the art of the heart of a card.

   I understand that we might not be able to send everyone we know and love a card, a letter, a note or a newsletter all the time or even once a year? But we can send some, at least once in awhile. The feelings we each get when we receive something so personal, may be few and far between, but we know how great this makes us feel, as most all of us do too.

   I made a few cards to send to a few people for Christmas this year. Everything was mailed either yesterday or two days ago to Japan. I wrapped the one to Japan in a bubble-wrap, water-resistant mailer (plastic), and it went first class for $3.90. That was pretty reasonable to me! All the others I put them inside of the top of the boxes we mailed yesterday.

   When I said I “made” these cards, it was pretty darn accurate. I had some Christmas green 8 ½” X 11” cardstock and folded the sheets in half. So this was something I had on hand, but even so, blank colored card stock costs a whole lot less than store-bought cards. I used colored gel pens and little things we already had on hand to decorate the cards.

   You could even cut your folded cardstock in half and make more cards and save even more money. I found envelopes (festive red), 60 for only around $15. That’s .25 each and that’s a cheap and great price for a quality envelope. Envelopes are made for nearly any size and can be relatively inexpensive.

   For goodness sakes, let’s use our imagination to decorate with things, even common things, we may already have on hand. My several gym teachers I had growing up always said, “Use it or Lose it.” This applies to imagination too!

   I found envelopes (festive red), 60 for only around $15. That’s .25 each and that’s a cheap and great price for a quality envelope. Time spent and costs including a stamp were maybe $2 and that’s is a whole lot less than store-bought. I hope that when all is said and done, it’s cards like these that are ‘keep-able’ long after the store-bought are forgotten and discarded.

   I made and sent cards out to a few people. We can do this. Handmade = Heart-Made. If nothing else, it’s really, and not unlike that company that may indeed hold the trademark ® on the phrase, when we send (homemade – heart-made), we really do “…care enough to send the very best!” So, please do not let money prevent you nor I from sending the best because, we really do, “…care enough!”

   Now the rest of this post is for Christians and logical people. If we believe and say that God is our sufficiency and He who supplies our needs (and many of our wants), what does it say about God if our needs and not being fulfilled or met? Well, to me it either means that I need to get another GOD (or another job), or I need to believe the one I already confess and profess to be mine! Does heaven have inflation, depression, layoffs, and economic downturns or do we just need to learn HOW to believe not just IN GOD, but believe God? For some or many of us, perhaps we need to re-learn HOW to believe God?

   An interesting word is the word “believe” both biblically and in life, everyone’s life, Christian or other. Everyone believes something and/or in someone(s). Believe is a verb and it connotes action. It is not based on blind faith. Those words are not even found in the Bible because, they do not exist. They are made-up. When and wherever possible, God always expects the individual to believe. Sometimes it may be important or at least more efficacious, for a couple to believe or even whole families.

   Just do a word study search for the word “believe” in the Bible. The word “believe” is the Greek word pistis and is often translated as faith, but should be always translated, “believe!” The word “believe” and its other derivatives are found throughout the Bible. “Moses believed God and it was counted as righteousness,” by God. People look for and often need signs, miracles and wonders to “believe.” What follows is but one example of one that performed signs, miracles and wonders, had to say about believing.

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Mark 9:23 King James Version (KJV)

   Here is another quote by Jesus Christ—

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Mark 11:24 KJV

   What’s the point of praying if we do not or won’t believe God is willing and able to provide?

“If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”
John 10:37, 38 KJV

   There was a time that even Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ and his half brothers and sisters did not believe him. And sometimes, people won’t or don’t believe when or just because, you tell them the truth. But let me make this clear, if it is not? If we want to see things happen in our lives like – signs, miracles, wonders? If we want to see answers to prayer? If we want to have our needs met and many of our wants and this includes even enough to send a card, we need to believe God.  It is impossible to please God if we don’t believe! Our God, “is a reward-er of them that diligently seek Him! 

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

   Remember doubting Thomas? He had to see the imprints where the soldiers drove the nails into the hands of his Christ, before he would believe in him. Did he? Yes, he saw and Thomas then, was able to believe. But Jesus took that literal experience and taught his disciples to believe first, and then they, or you and I will see! God is more interested and willing to provide for us and in giving to us, then we are in receiving! All He asks of anyone or us is that we believe to receive what He has already promised. Our job is to know and claim what He has already promised!

   Let us not or let us stop using the excuse that “we can’t!” Why do we settle for lack when we should and can have more than we need? Remember that! That’s what having more than we need is for so that, we can give! And isn’t is always better to give than it is to receive?

   God like Santa Claus in the Daily (not just once a year), signs, miracles and wonders business!

   This is why the believing of a child is so adored and shared in the Bible. It’s like a line from the Movie ‘The Santa Clause’ by Judy, a 1,200 year old elf, “Children don’t have to see the North Pole to know it exists, they just know!” Sadly, but children are often taught out of imagination and believing. But you and I need to believe. And when and wherever possible, we need to believe as couples and families.

   Please believe that the sending and receiving of homemade, hand addressed, hand signed and hand sent cards, letters, and newsletter are among the things that matter most to – all of us!

   May your holidays be bright, your season white and your hearts full of joy!

   Now if you want to dispute any of this (Bible quotations), Go for it, but I did not write the the Bible, I am just…

…a witness!

Dahni