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

Are We Limiting God

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Are We Limiting God

By Dahni
© 2021, all rights reserved

   The national motto of the United States for America has long been, “In God We Trust.” Is this true, but more importantly, do you and I believe it? Are We limiting God?

   One of our founders, John Adams, the 2nd President of Our new republic said:

“We have no Constitution which functions in the absence of a moral people.”

-John Adams-

   As great as the potential of us each and of our republic is, how effective is anyone or anything without morals, a compass, a guide or in the absence of God? He does not leave us! Maybe we left Him? Are We limiting God?

   The Constitution of the United States for America is meaningless without a moral people. But how blessed could we be? Are We limiting God?

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;

Psalm 33:12a King James Version (KJV)

   In order for there to have ever been a Constitution for America, the Revolutionary War was fought and independence won. Even before this and against all odds, the following was the last sentence from the Declaration of Independence.

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Excerpt: Last sentence of ‘The Declaration of Independence’, 1776

   What chance, at what seemingly impossible odds did our fore-relatives commit themselves to? Limited in their ability to fight against and even less, to win against the greatest military force in the world on land and sea, they were not limited in what they relied upon, “divine providence” and the many miracles that happened!

   But win they did and our first president residing over our new republic said this…

“…the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.”

Excerpt from the 1st inaugural address by George Washington

   He was not limited in his vision of the United States for America, “rules of order and right” ordained by heaven, by God.  Have we, do you and I disregard Him? Are we limiting God?

   We have allowed or are participating in kicking God out of our schools, the pledge of allegiance, not the separation of of ‘Church and State’, but God and State. He is not welcome in our public square, places of work, social media and much of our daily lives. Why is it then, we have so much division among us, fear and trembling? Are we limiting God?

“In our or your isolation and desperation, fear and trembling, will you or I then feign to kneel and pray to God to move when you or I will not move or blame Him for your loss or my loss or pending doom? How little you or I understand what God cannot and will not do, for He has limited Himself to you and!”

-Dahni-

   What? God has limited Himself to you and I? Is this what I am saying? No I am not! It is what God says! Are we limiting God?

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,”

Ephesians 1:17-19 KJV

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Ephesians 3:16-20 KJV

   Yes, you and I can limit God in our lives, for He has limited Himself to you and I!

   And by the way, if you or I lack any of these things above, if we have any loss, trouble, sickness and even death, we’re just going to have to stop limiting God and blaming God! Are we limiting God? How so?

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10 KJV

   Thief, what thief? And by the way, thieves like to to do their thing when we are not looking or aware of their methods. But the “thief” is one of the names the Bible refers to as the devil. Oh, but do we believe in the devil? Are we limiting God because, we don’t know? 

   And I don’t care if insurance companies don’t or won’t insure against acts of God, they have the wrong one. Is there more than one? The Bible says there are two. Yes, the Bible says there are two and that one is the “thief” that comes to kill, steal and destroy!

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

II Corinthians 4:4

   Are we limiting God because our minds are blinded? Are you and I limiting God?

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

…a witness,

Dahni

What is Truth

short url to this post:  https://wp.me/p8DawH-8R

By Dahni
©️ 2018, all rights reserved

“What is Truth” has been asked, debated, argued and yes, even fought over. Depending on one’s perspective, belief, or bias, the word itself has evolved or devolved.

It appears in ancient texts, in art, music, and in all manner of world culture, past, present and as long as there remains, a future.

To get a little Greeky (not geeky), here is another word, poetry. The Greek word is poiema, “poiēma”, ποίημα.

It too has and remains in constant flux, to define what it is, as well. But if origins are important to you, it’s “origin”-al meaning was simply, “to do or to make.” This definition would certainly answer what poetry is and in fact (in reality), would include all the arts and anything, anyone, could ever “do” or “make”. Its enhanced meaning is, “beauty of speech” (all manner of expression). We are all, in essence, poets! What about God, the creator of the heavens (the whole known and unknown universe), and the earths? Yes, earth(s), plural, more than one? Yes!

Does God “do” or “make”? Does he express, “beauty of speech“? Is He a poet too?

This word poiema, only appears twice in the New Testament Bible:

“For the invisible things of him [God], from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made [poiema], even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

Romans 1:20 King James Version (KJV)

Yes, God does “do” and “make”; He too is, a poet. He does express, “beauty of speech“.

“For we are his workmanship [poiema], created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

There is one translation that shows the word for “workmanship” as “masterpiece”.  A thing we may “make” or “do” in our spare time may be like a hobby, but a masterpiece is well, a masterpiece! Are we God’s masterpiece, His poem, His “beauty of speech“?

Another Greek word is imitate, “mimoúmai”, μιμούμαι or in another form, “mineme”, meaning “imitated thing”. From this you may have become familiar with the word “meme”?

“Meme” was coined by R. Dawkins, evolutionary biologist and atheist from his 1976 book, ‘The Selfish Gene’. In this he compares the replicating (if it survives), often mutating, but albeit, the survival of the fittest genes, to the mimicking, the “imitated thing”, of ideas and such.

Under the Dawkins definition, a meme can be any idea, behavior or trend that has the ability to transmit from person to person. It too can be self-replicating (if it survives), often mutating, but albeit, the survival of the fittest or often, the most perverse; corrupt, which ever the case might be.

Dawkins believes the Internet has hijacked his word “meme”. Well, he hijacked the word “mimoúmai”, the Greek word for, “the imitated thing”!

Back to “What is Truth”? Poems and paintings and memes have been attempted to answer, to “make or do”; to imitate the “imitated thing” of—

“What is Truth”?

Familiar to some and perhaps to many are such things as:

The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth
The Hidden Truth
The Truth is Hidden or Hidden Truth
The Bare Truth
The Raw Truth
The Naked Truth
The Truth Coming out of the Well
The Truth Lies at the Bottom of the Well
Let us seek the solution of these doubts at the bottom of the inexhaustible well,
Nature has Buried Truth in the Bottom of the Sea
My, Her, His, Their, Your; Our – Truth (currently popular)

One could easily add to this list, another trending phrase in opposition to “Truth” or
what is true, Fake News.

I’m sure the above is, but a partial list. There is one thing they all have in common, connectors. Connectors are just other words (parts of speech in writing and speaking and whatever tool of communication is used). They attempt to call attention to, expand and explain the subject, by connecting (attaching themselves to the subject). The subject there and our subject here is, NOT ‘the truth’, but simply, “truth” or, “What is Truth”.

Some of the above are quotes, are attributed to ancient philosophers as: Democritus, Cicero, Lactantius, and Heraclitus.

Two of the quotes are believed to be used for the inspiration of two works of art. These works depict a nude female body as ‘Truth’, either stuck at the bottom of a well or her clothing robbed by the Lie, as she was coming out of the well. She is perhaps enraged and ashamed, afraid that the world would turn their eyes away from her; reject her, and she disappears forever. And the Lie, dressed as Truth, wanders the earth, afraid to meet the naked Truth and of her exposure of The Lie, her potential wrath and revenge.

The earlier is a work the artist (poet- “to make” and “do”), in the early 20th century, Frances MacDonald. His work gives the idea that the naked “Truth” is, stuck and thus, hidden at the bottom of the well. How would anyone know about Truth, if it (she), is stuck, at the bottom of a well and is hidden?

The latter is, a famous painting, by the artist (poet- to “make” or “do”), at the end of the 19th century, Jean-Léon Gérôme. The title is, ‘The Truth coming out of the well’.

Gérôme’s painting (poem- “to do or to make”), was adopted as a feminist movement symbol or meme (mimoúmai “Imitated thing”), in the latter part of the 20th century. It is still trending today, in the 21st century. I find the association odd, since it was painted by a male.

The attraction and interest in the nude body (male or female), has been and remains potentially, a beautiful, pure and a normal thing.

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:…”

Psalm 139:14a KJV

When God made (poetry and thus a poet, “to do or to make”), He formed, made and created the bodies, souls and spirits of, Adam and Eve. This is how He viewed His poetry—

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good…”

Genesis 1:31a KJV

From God’s perspective (as ours should be), our bodies are not just good, they are, “very good”!

But nudity has been and is often perverted, corrupted, magnified and glorified and many times used (abused), as a loophole to get around society’s disdain or un-acceptance (unacceptable use), of public nudity. Take the social media Facebook as an example. Facebook has what they refer to as, “community standards”. Nudity is prohibited “unless” (their word), under certain exceptions. I’m not sure what the difference is between a naked person or a naked person depicted by artistic means, but nude art and even female nude photographs are allowed if: for satirical purposes, as a form of feminism, for women’s rights, protests, medical or instructional purposes? Not so much for nude males.

Clearly, nude photography or artwork runs the gamut of human acceptance or disapproval. And what is the difference between using a real model or imagining one, to artistically make (poetry- “to make or do”), a nude body? Was the artist perverse, corrupt or just obsessed with a nude body, but it must be OK if used to convey, ‘The Truth coming out of the Well’? Or are these merely to snub Facebook’s ‘community standards’? Or, is it just a loophole, so naked bodies can be shown? Without “truth”, these are just nudes, maybe beautiful, but just nudes, for the sake of nudes?

But what about “Truth.”

The Latin word “veritas” means truth. From that veri- root, we get words like “verify”, “verily”, and “veritable”.

The Greek word is, truth, “alétheia”, ἀλήθεια.
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: alétheia
Phonetic Spelling: (al-ay’-thi-a)
Short Definition: truth
Definition: truth, but not merely truth as spoken; truth of idea, reality, sincerity, truth in the moral sphere, divine truth revealed to man, straightforwardness.

Oh, what about fact or facts? Do you recall the TV series or the movie called Dragnet?

“Just the facts Mam.”

Sergeant, Joe Friday – Dragnet

Or have you ever heard, “That’s a fact Jack”?

Fact, from Latin is facto, “in fact, in reality” with the idea of something seemingly, presently true.

An acceptable and simple difference between “truth” and “fact” is—

In truth, he/she looks younger, but in fact, he/she is 64 years old. Facts can change as circumstances change, but truth cannot.

Thousands of years ago, Jesus Christ was betrayed, arrested falsely under cover of night, which was against the law and his rights were infringed. He was falsely accused which was also illegal, as his right to face his accusers was violated.

“In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”

II Corinthians 13:2b KJV

Jesus Christ inferred this when he was brought before the high priest who asked him to tell him about his doctrine. Jesus Christ answered by saying, why ask me, ask them that heard me. A soldier slapped him for supposedly disrespecting the high priest. Jesus Christ was only speaking the “truth” about their own law.

Later, he was brought before the Roman governor, Pilate.

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

“Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

John 19:37, 38 KJV

Well, there was our title here, our question and who said it, “What is Truth”?

Jesus Christ did not answer Pilate, but before the question was asked, he had told Pilate that he (Jesus Christ), bears witness of the truth and that every one of “the truth” hears his voice. What was that voice speaking? Words of truth!

We still don’t know what the truth is, but we know that Jesus Christ bore witness of the truth and that they of the truth, hear him?

Before we discover what the truth is, what or why is it important to know, “What is Truth”?

This brings us to something that may be familiar to you? It is perhaps the most misquoted and out of context line of speech, in any language and many people the world over, have no clue where it came from! Have you ever heard or read something like this, “the truth will set you free”? Would you be surprised if I were to tell you that is NOT in the Bible? Well, it isn’t! However, it does say, “the truth will make you free.”

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

John 8:32 KJV

Notice the word “shall” above, it is used twice. “Shall” is in the absolute tense, not will or maybe, but “shall” absolutely. You or “ye” of the truth that hears his voice, his words, shall absolutely know, not question or doubt, but know, absolutely, the truth. And if you absolutely know the truth, the truth shall absolutely not set you free, but shall absolutely, “make you free”!

So what’s the difference between being set free and being made free? It makes all the difference! If I were in prison, let’s say you had the keys to my cell. You could if you would, set me free. I could be afraid to be set free and just stay in my cell. And what would the profit be to me and anyone if I was set free, only to commit more crime(s), maybe worse and be imprisoned again?

To be “made free”, is something more, much, much more.

What is prison for if not to punish, separate the criminal from society to protect society, and where appropriate and possible, rehabilitate the individual to re-enter society as a contributing member of society? This is the goal of the prison system, but sadly, many set free, become worse after, than they were before.  This is, being set free, but it is NOT being “made free”. And make no mistake about the opposite of free and freedom, it is being enslaved; imprisoned.

The truth has the keys to set us free, but more than merely setting us free, takes us out of the prison, having enabled to live free and enables us, to continue living free. If we absolutely know the truth, the truth, “shall” absolutely, make us free!

Now lets us look at the context of this verse of scripture, to absolutely know the truth and to absolutely be made free by the truth.

“As he spake these words, many believed on him.”

John 8:30 KJV

As Jesus Christ spoke “these words”, words of truth, “many believed on him.” The word “believed” is a verb and a verb connotes action. These are those that hear the words of truth from he (Jesus Christ), that bears witness of the truth. The result of hearing the truth, to the end that the hearer understands and acts, is to believe or, believes the truth.

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”

John 8:31 KJV

Those that hear the words of truth, from he (Jesus Christ), that bears witness of the truth, are to continue in the truth. IF they (you, anyone or I), hear him (to the end that we believe him), we are of the truth. And IF we continue in them (continue to believe the truth), THEN we are his disciples, his disciplined ones), and THEN and only “THEN”—

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

John 8:32 KJV

So what is the purpose of truth? What is its aim? To Who or for Whom, is it for?

“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men [all-inclusive noun- “anyone”] though fools, shall not err therein.”

Isaiah 35:8 KJV

WOW, was/is this verse not loaded with information (“Truth”)! What is the purpose of “truth”? What is the purpose of education?

Our English words “educate”, “education” and etc. are derived from Latin words, primarily two.

Latin- ‘educare’– “to bring up,” “to rise,” “train” and “to nourish”

“Train up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he [all-inclusive noun or” she“] will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

The purpose of “truth”, of education, of training (to “train up”), is, to bring up, to rise up out of ignorance and darkness to the light (knowledge, wisdom and understanding). This is, the “highway”; “a way”; “the way of holiness”, from Isaiah 35:8.

Latin- ‘educere’ – “to lead out,” “to draw out,” and “to bring from.”

The purpose of “truth”, of education, of training (to “train up”), is, to bring up, to rise up, to bring from, to draw out; to “lead out” of ignorance and darkness, to the light (knowledge, wisdom and understanding). This is, the “highway”; “a way”; “the way of holiness”, from Isaiah 35:8

It is the responsibility of parents and caretakers of children, to do this. It is our responsibility, to do this for ourselves.

This training, education, raising up, nourishing, leading out, remaining on the highway (the way), in this, is, the way of holiness. It is, an ongoing and lifetime process. This is what we read earlier, from The book of John.

IF we hear the words of truth, and IF we believe the words of truth, and IF we CONTINUE (ongoing and lifetime process), in hearing the truth, to the end we believe (act on these things), THEN, we are disciples (disciplined ones). THEN we shall (absolute or absolutely), know the truth. And THEN the truth, shall (absolute or absolutely), make us free!

That’s what the Word says and that’s what it means!

To Who or for Whom is the “truth”, the “highway”, “a way”, “the way of holiness”, for?
As opposed to the “unclean”, they shall not (absolute or absolutely not), pass over this highway, a way, the way, the truth! But it shall (absolute or absolutely), be for the “wayfaring”, those that hear the truth, follow the way, are disciplined and continue to follow and just remain on the way and continue walking in, the way of truth!

What is the whole aim of truth, of education, this nourishing, training; leading out? Truth must be so simple that not a child or even a fool, could miss it! The whole aim of education, of truth is, simplicity in presentation!

If all these things are so wonderful and so simple, why wouldn’t every man, woman and child (past, present and future), not know the truth, the highway, a way, the way, the way of holiness?

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

II Corinthians 4:4 KJV

There are many names for the devil in the Bible such as: Lucifer (once, one of three arc angels, once “the angel of light”), the adversary, many others and here is called, “the god of this world”.  Another name is, “the thief”,

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: “

John 10:10a KJV

In the beginning of what we know now as the continuation of our species (humankind or humanity), God originally made, formed, and created— body, soul and spirit (tripartite beings), first with Adam and Eve. But something tragic, something cataclysmic occurred, which changed God’s original work (poetry “to do or to make”). The Bible calls the entity responsible, for the corruption (a mutation of God’s original intent, purpose and will), “the serpent”. From II Corinthians 4:4, as “the god of this world”, he blinded and blinds minds that they cannot know the truth or walk the highway, the way, the way of holiness.

In John 10:10a, the same Lucifer, the serpent, the adversary, the devil, the god of this world is called, “the thief”. This thief has a three-fold purpose— to steal, kill and destroy.

A thief, by some manner of force, first tries to steal, what is not theirs. The thief steals the truth from the soul of a man, woman or child, unless the light of the highway, the way, the truth, should shine unto them. Because, IF they heard the truth, and IF they walked in the way of truth (believed), and IF they continued (were disciples, disciplined ones), in the truth, they would absolutely know the truth and the truth would absolutely, MAKE them free!

The thief tries to steal from the souls of those who do not know or have not yet heard the words of truth, which would place them on the highway, the way, the way of holiness, the truth.

The thief tries to steal from the souls of those that are on the highway, the way of truth and if possible, to get them out-of-the-way (off the highway, the way of holiness), and to keep them from getting back to the truth.

The thief tries to kill the bodies of those that have never been on the highway of truth and even those that have. If he can manipulate those on the highway of truth to walk away from the truth, he can try and get them to follow, to their own physical death.

The thief seeks to destroy, the spirits of every man, woman or child. But this is a figure of speech, for he cannot, he absolutely cannot destroy spirit. He can only try to prevent men, women and children from ever hearing the truth, to the end that they believe the truth, and become born again with the spirit of (from), God. The thief cannot destroy the spirit of God in a man, woman or child. The thief can only try to prevent this from happening. The thief cannot destroy the spirit of God in a man, woman or child. The thief can only try and prevent the impact of that life, in whom the spirit of God dwells. The word “destroy” is a figure of speech, which emphasizes that if there is no spirit of God in a man, woman or child or no impact of a life in whom the spirit of God dwells, it is as if, it were destroyed. But the thief cannot, the thief absolutely cannot destroy nor prevent any man, woman or child that wills to believe, from receiving God’s gift of holy spirit or prevent anyone’s impact in their life, in whom the spirit of God dwells. The thief cannot prevent or “destroy” freedom of will! But the thief can and will and does try.

From God’s perspective this is, eternal life spirit, it has no beginning and no end. From our perspective and from the moment we accept this gift of holy spirit, it is, everlasting life!

Remember, the unclean shall absolutely not pass over the way of holiness! The thief cannot stop anyone that wills to hear the truth, from believing the truth and from staying on the highway, in the way of truth. The thief can only try to steal, kill and destroy, if allowed. We each have the freedom of will and are responsible, for the choices we make in this life.

Now we know the truth that there is a thief that comes to steal from the soul, kill the body and would destroy (prevent), one from receiving the spirit of God and possibly even destroying (preventing), one from ever fully realizing the truth, believing the truth and being made free.

What does the truth afford us, on this; in this, the highway, the way, the way of holiness?

“I [Jesus Christ] am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10b KJV

This is why Jesus Christ came, for life (Greek zoa – life in all its manifestations— physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, etc. and spiritually. And not just life, but life more abundantly or, more than abundant— over and beyond our need.

Remember all the quotes and references to the two paintings we discussed, at the beginning of this post Remember the woman as truth, stuck in the bottom of the well?  Remember the woman as truth, coming out of the well, her clothing robbed by the lie? Remember, I wrote these were “connectors”, of our word, “truth”?

The word “but” is, such a connector. It sets in contrast that which came before , with that which follows. But (no pun intended), there is no “but” between the thief’s coming and the coming of Jesus Christ. They are not connected! There is no connector! There is no connection!

The thief does not come when we are looking for one. The thief wants to remain hidden and secret. But (in contrast), when the thief does come, it is always to— steal, kill and destroy.

Perhaps grammatically, the word “but” should show the contrast between the purpose of the thief’s coming and that of Jesus Christ’s coming, “but” (in contrast), the word “but”, is not used, it is missing. This missing word draws attention. It is a figure of speech, which empathized the words and purpose of Jesus Christ’s coming. It is not as the thief’s coming if the conditions are right (selective); it’s not hidden or secret. Jesus Christ’s coming is in the open, in the light of day, the truth, the way, available now, right now and it is, life and a more than abundant life!

With all these truths we have discovered, what remains is, the unanswered question, “What is Truth?”

“And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”

“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: “

John 14: 4-6a KJV

In one verse of scripture, we have the answer to the question Pilate asked of Jesus Christ, “What is Truth”.

Jesus Christ is, The Way. He is, the highway, the way of the truth, the way of holiness. He is The Way. He is The Truth. He is The Life. And…

“no man [all-inclusive noun— or woman or child] cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 14:6 KJV

“Neither is there salvation [wholeness (a form of sozo – all the fullness of life), life, zoa– all aspects of or all manifestations of, life— mentally, emotionally, financially, etc. and spiritually], “in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved [made whole].”

Acts 4:12 KJV

God is the author of the Bible. Jesus Christ is the subject of the Bible, from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21. He is the way to God and therefore, he is the highway, the way of holiness, he is, The Way. He is the Truth because, he always spoke, wrote and did the Word of God. Through him, He is, The Life. He is, the image of God, the nature of God. He is, our example to follow.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

That Jesus Christ was “set down” is significant because, it indicates biblically, something is complete, “it is finished”. Those very words were, the final cry of victory that Jesus yelled with a loud voice, from the tree he was crucified on! The “right hand of God” is significant because, it is the hand of blessing (highly favored), and is of God’s grace (unmerited divine favor).

Despite his willingness and undeserved and illegal innocent suffering, “the joy” set before him is significant because, it enabled him to “endure”. And this “joy” was, the vision that through his act of willing obedience, his sacrifice, he saw many coming to God, Who is, The Way, The Truth, and The Life!

What is Truth or what is The Truth? It is not some naked woman, hidden at the bottom of the well. It is not some enraged, ashamed and afraid, nude woman, as the naked truth. It is not the lie (a thief is a liar), masquerading as the truth, in truth’s clothing. It is not some meme, for feminists to unite over. It is not a hijacking of any idea, behavior or trend that can potentially pass from person to person. It is not, an imitation (“imitated thing”). It is not a fact or factual, subject to change by circumstances or personal perspective. It is not his, hers, mine, yours, theirs or, our personal truth. To just hear the truth, will not set anyone free.

What is Truth? What is, The Truth?

Jesus Christ is, The Way (the highway, the way of holiness), The Truth and The Life. He is the example, the author and finisher of believing (acting on the truth, which brings results). Through hearing The Truth (believing-acting on the truth), and continuing in The Truth is, (a lifetime process), whereby anyone willing, can become a disciple (disciplined), of The Truth. And anyone that will do these things and that will continue to do them, shall absolutely know The Truth. And THEN, The Truth shall absolutely, make them free. This is being made free, in all aspects of life. And they are to have life and not just life, but life, more abundantly or more than abundant!

Jesus Christ is the nourishing, the bringing up, the training, the leading out of darkness into The Truth, The Light of God who is, The Way, The Truth and The Life!

Jesus Christ is, the image of God. The image of God is, spirit. Anyone who wills to believe, can have God’s spirit created in them, the moment they confess with their mouth, by understanding and believing The Truth, The Lord Jesus (Jesus Christ), and believes that God raised him from the dead. See Romans 10:9 & 10.

The image of God (spirit), is perfect and cannot be destroyed. It is the nature of God. The spirit of God was created upon Jesus Christ (“upon” was conditional). What is created in (within), now is unconditional, is created in, anyone that wills to believe. Jesus Christ never lost the spirit of God created upon him, he freely gave it up at his death. But God raised, ascended and seated (completely finishing), him to sit at His (God’s), right hand of blessing. This is the leading, the drawing of those willing to believe, through Jesus Christ, to God.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men [all-inclusive noun-and women and children] unto me.”

John 12:32 KJV

Jesus Christ was lifted up and he was seated (a completely finished and done deal), and he draws all men, women and children that want to know and believe the truth.

From God’s perspective (first available on The day of Pentecost in Acts 2:4), the new creation is, eternal life spirit. It has no conditions other than to believe to receive this divine unmerited gift of grace, because God so highly favors. It has no beginning. It has no end. From the recipient’s perspective, this spirit of God, when created (at the moment; at the time received) is, life ever lasting.

The Way, The Truth and the Life is, not factual, appearing real and subject to circumstances and one’s own perspective. It is real! It is true, for all and everyone, always, because, it is the truth. It makes no difference if you or I or anyone believes it or not! It’s still the truth, if no one believes it! If it is not The Truth, no one could believe it. If it is not believed, it cannot be received. The Way, The Truth, and The Life (Jesus Christ), is the mediator, the bridge between human kind and God). The truth is the same for all, always— past, present and future.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”

Hebrews 13:8 KJV

The Way, The Truth and The Life (Jesus Christ), and what though him would be made available, was kept secret until the right time. That time has long since been revealed and its time, your time, my time, our time: the world’s time is now! The riches of the glory of this mystery, of the spirit of God in those that believe, has been revealed.

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

Colossians 1:27 KJV

God is the author of The Way, The Truth and The Life. Jesus Christ is the subject.

The purpose of The Way, The Truth and The Life is, to nourish, train, train up, to lead and its aim (targeted-bullseye). is simplicity that not even a child or a fool could miss it.

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,”

Galatians 4:19 KJV

The Way, The Truth and The Life is a lifetime process, continuing and continual, not because of the spirit of God in Christ in God’s children, but because of the fallible and corrupt mind (soul) and body. But one day in the future, those dead in Christ and those alive at the return of Christ, will all be changed and then…

“Beloved, now are we the sons [all-inclusive noun or “daughters’] of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

I John 3:2 KJV

One day we shall absolutely see him, not as how great he was, but as he is, a “quickening spirit”—

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

I Corinthians 15:45 KJV

That verse is talking about Jesus Christ, “the last Adam”. In another verse, Jesus Christ is called the “second Adam. In the beginning, god CONferred the rulership and dominion of all the earth, to the first Adam and his helpmate (his equal), Eve. They disobeyed God and this consequence led to their losing the spirit of God and later their bodies and with it, their souls. This disobedience, this consequence was the rulership and dominion of all the earth being TRANSferred to the serpent, now called, the “god of this world”, the thief, the devil. Jesus Christ, the second Adam and the last Adam, redeemed mankind. God through Jesus Christ made him (Jesus Christ), a “quickening spirit.”  We too, will one day realize our own quickening spirit. To quicken is to give life. The “ing” with the word indicates an ongoing, continuing and continual process. Now if that didn’t blow our minds, pop neurons, look and marvel at this next verse!

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

II Corinthians 3:18 KJV

Mirrors were basically polished brass during the times in which this verse was written. They were not really clear to see one’s reflection, as ours of today. And when we look into a mirror, we see our reflection, but this verse is far deeper than a mere reflection. Instead of it being our reflection seen, it is the spirit of God, “the glory of God”, which is producing the image we see. And as we continue to look (believe, stay focused; stay put), upon this, this our quickening spirit, we are being changed into the same image now (“from glory), and throughout all eternity (“to glory”), (everlasting to us), by God who is also, The Quickening Spirit. This is, The Way, The Truth and The Life!

What shall we do then, with The Way, The Truth, and The Life?

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

I John 3:18 KJV

To truly love anyone is, to love in deeds of the The Truth which is, to speak and to do The Truth!

In conclusion, perfectly balanced and balancing, like it is sandwiched between The Way and The Life is, The Truth. There can be no highway, no way, (The Way), to nourish, raise up, bring up, train and lead out, without, The Truth. There can be no being made free or life more than abundant without, The Truth.

Jesus Christ came to bear witness of The Truth (God). Hear him (believe The Truth, believe God in Christ in us that are in Him)!

Sola Scriptura (Latin: by scripture alone) – What Does the Word Say?

“What is Truth?” Jesus Christ is, The Truth!

“…I am the way, the truth, and the life: “

John 14: 6b KJV

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

Next time: To Believe and Prove Equals Trust