Mayhem in Minnesota 

     Who are the rioters (not "peaceful protesters" as claimed). What's up with the governor and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul? Why aren't police engaged? 

     The mayhem resembles the riot in LA a number of years ago. Military call-up is on the table.  

     In December, Immigration & Custom Enforcement (I.C.E.) began to arrest Somali nationals for deportation orders. President Trump criticized the community for its role that several individuals of Somali descent had in siphoning hundreds of millions of dollars in food and housing programs. 

     The president also claimed that Somali gangs are tormenting the state. In November, he planned to end Temporary Protected Status for Somalia, which protected about 700 Samali nationals from deportation. 

     As we write, rioters (who is paying them?) battle I.C.E. agents, while local politicians and members of Democratic organizations support the gangs. This is happening because millions of people welcomed into America under the Biden administration are still here, many of whom would never get a legal invitation. 

     Democrats once approved of I.C.E. Now they want to end it. 

     When word got out about the millions (billions?) of stolen money, Gov. Walz announced he will not run for reelection. We hope to learn more about the thievery, and how something like this can rise up in the USA.    

              Jimmy 

 Multisyllable - that's 7 - words 

     In journalism school, better yet, working for Westinghouse when company headquarters had a department overseeing communications one individual did at each of its many locations. We wrote the monthly magazine and whatever else management might want employees to know. 

     We were to assume employees had a 10th grade education. Using even 3-syllable words was discouraged, but of course they are common and necessary, as you see in this paragraph. My job was in a factory of 5,000 employees...unionized.  

     Today, I counted syllables in the Bible to see what God did, if anything, about big words. Of course, it's in English, so...  

Genesis 1. The start. About 120 words, of which 23 are 3 syllables, one every 5.2 words. No PhD language in Eden. 

Deuteronomy 16. The Passover...92 words, 35 of 3 syllables, every 2.6 words. Wow! This wasn't grad school either, but words like unleavened, possession, anniversary, menservants and partiality had to be included.

Psalm 23. Awesome. Just 25 words, only "righteousness" - big. 

Ephesians 1. 580 words, just one 3 syllable every 14.8 words. 

Revelation 1. 85 words, one 3 syllable every 8.5 words. 

Revelation 22. The end. 89 words, one 3 syllable every 4.7 words. Jesus himself used 10 of the 17, none of them PhD level words.

     We bought a book by a Jewish author writing about the U.S. and Israel. One hyphenated word totaled 17 syllables. How could he expect wide readership? I put the book away for another day.  

               Jimmy

 

Nimrod's Legacy Today 

     Bible scholars consider Nimrod, the great grandson of Noah, to be the first "antichrist." 

     The other day when I closed a book I bought recently, inside the cover was information I used for a blog some years ago. How did that happen? Anyway, here it is. If you don't think Christianity is for you, here are some options from around the world:

     Animism   voodoo   cults   false gods   spirit worship   witchcraft   tribal   spiritist   mystical   ancestor worship   astrology   magic   head hunting and river spirits. 

     The nations in which they exist include, Benin,  Burundi,  Cameroon,   Central African Republic,  Chad,  Ethiopia,  Gambia,  Guinea-Bissau,  Indonesia,  Malawi,  Malaysia,  Mali,  Niger,  Nigeria,  Senegal,  Togo, Uganda,  Congo,  New Zealand,  Burkina Faso,   Boque,  Myanmar,  Zaire, Laos,  Liberia,  Sierra Leone,  Jamaica,  Kenga,  Madagascar,  Mozambique, Zaire,  Papua New Guinea.  Some nations have more than one "religion."

     Did we forget to list the United States? Billions more people follow major religions such as Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Shintoism and others. 

     Judaism and Christianity offer eternal life, and that for those who live their faith, daily. Muslims - a religion since the 7th century AD offer salvation for those whose good deeds outnumber their sins. Oh well. 

     Do you think, maybe there is a devil at work? Why do people want a false religion? If only Nimrod could return to life and confess.   

      Jimmy 

 Can we influence when Jesus returns?

a pastor's thoughts

     "Advancing the day of the Lord is more than evangelism. It's also living with focus and dedication to God's purposes."

     "Imagine...if every believer took this seriously. If we all showed up for prayer with the same enthusiasm we show for entertainment. If we actively looked for opportunities to share Christ's love." 

     "If we all lived with the understanding that our faithfulness today impacts eternity. Our lives matter more than we realize. Our obedience has eternal consequences. Our faithfulness is part of God's grand plan to redeem the world."

Ephesians 3:19: And to know this ls love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

Monday: The religions of the world. Did Nimrod start this?

Christ in the Old Testament 

  No. 6

     When world leaders leave this life, they may be remembered with statues, or street names, even a city or state. But their influence in future decisions comes to an end. 

     The disciple John, having watched with Mary the horrible crucifixion of Jesus, was still carrying on with Jesus' Word, 50 years or so later. It still has not come to an end.

     Jesus had risen from the grave. His disciples couldn't believe the report, until Jesus himself met with them several times before he returned to the Father. 

     Psalm 33:6, written long before Mary gave birth to Jesus, God being the Father: By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 

     Hebrews 1:10: In the beginning O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 

     Also in the book of Hebrews: God spoke through the prophets. In the last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he made the universe. The Son is the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. 

The Real Battle 

     No. 3 of 3

      Pastor Hibbs quotes Isaiah 62:6, "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace, day or night." 

     He writes, "God is still looking for watchmen, for men and women who will stand guard in prayer and speak boldly in public. It's time for the church to rise, to be alert, vocal and unashamed. Like Nehemiah's workers who built the wall with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other, we must be people who both pray and contend."

     "Hope and engage," he says. "Too many Christians are standing on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to speak up, to lead, to fight. But the responsibility to pray and to stand belongs to every believer." 

     "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven... 2 Chronicles 7:14. "

     "God's answer to America's problems is found among his own people, the church. We must humble ourselves and seek his face."

     "The call is clear: Pray fervently. Stand courageously. Our hope isn't found in a party, a policy or a politician. Our hope is in Jesus Christ. And when the church prays and stands, God moves through us to bless those around us."

  Thank you, Pastor Jack Hibbs   

PS. God used people from Abraham to John to accomplish his written history. Since then, he has used numerous men and women to spread the Word and save souls. He can use you and I as well, as we pray.  

 

The Real Battle 

  2 of 3

     Pastor Hibbs says this is spiritual warfare, against "principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12)." Not in courtrooms or newsrooms? Well. How do we fight heavenly enemies? 

     As a child of God, I have the Holy Spirit. Ah ha! I don't have to fight demons (I would lose anyway) but I can pray heartfelt, persistent, faith-filled prayers that God calls us to. Is that right, Pastor Hibbs?

     "In Jude 3, we're urged to 'contend' for the faith. Contend means to struggle, to wrestle, to fight for what matters." So, pastor, there are many forms of fighting, but physically old and weak as I am, the Bible says I can fight the evil ones? 

     "We're not called to blend in. We're called to speak up, even when it's unpopular. The early church turned the world upside down, not because they were polite and quiet, but they were bold and filled with the Spirit of God. Elijah didn't just pray that people would follow the Lord. He confronted evil, and so should we."

     Pastor, I'm not one to be mean, angry or ugly. So? "The Bible says, 'Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one (Colossians 4:6).' We are called to speak the truth in love. That means calling sin what it is. Defending life, marriage and Biblical morality. We don't compromise with darkness. We shine light into it."

Friday: Watchmen on the wall

 The Real Battle for America 

   1 of 3

     Does yours truly need a kick in the pants...a wake up and get with it? Yes, and yes and yes. 

     We are awakened by a pastor we have seen on TV, Jack Hibbs, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel in Southern California. He says, "After 250 years, America needs the church more than ever." 

     He claims "we are not the nation we once were. We've drifted from the Biblical principles that shaped our founding. Truth is under attack. Evil is called good, and good is called evil." He believes God is calling his people to wake up.

     "The real battle for America isn't being fought in courtrooms or newsrooms. It's being fought in the prayer closets of God's people."

     This blogger is retired and enjoys our lounge chair, with Kleenex close at hand. Not a sin. But Hibbs says, "As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to do the hard work of fervent prayer, while contending for truth in a world that's trying to silence it."  

     But, Pastor Hibbs, isn't this the job of you pastors and missionaries? 

     "Paul urges us to 'pray without ceasing' and to 'shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life.' One verse calls us to our knees. The other calls us to our feet. In this moment in our nation's history, we need both like never before." 

     Hmmm. As in sports? There are coaches, but players do the work? 

Tomorrow: Warfare is spiritual

     

Christ in the OT 

  No. 5 in a series 

     Allusions. Sometimes New Testament writers referred to Old Testament passages without quoting a text, persons, events or things, and not prophetic of Christ. 

     God's promise. In Genesis 3:15, before he scolded Adam and Eve, God spoke to the serpent, he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. "He" and "His" refer to Christ. The "heel" would be the crucifixion, many centuries to come. 

     Romans 16:20: The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

     1 John 3:8: He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 

     John 1:29: The next day John (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" 

     Isaiah 53:7: He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shears is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 

     Exodus 12:3-4: Tell the community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb...one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor. The chapter continues with lambs blood on door frames, which God would Passover, while He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt. In 1 Corinthians 5:7: For Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed.

Coming soon: He laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens. 

Fairness in Girls' Volleyball 

     The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments tomorrow concerning laws that aim to ensure fairness and safety in women's sports. The issue is trans-identifying male athletes. 

     All-girl teams have beaten teams with boys, so what's the beef?

     "It isn't just about wins and losses," says a lady with Concerned Women for America. "It's about dignity and safety. Every time a male athlete steps on the court, he denies women fairness and safety on both teams." 

     She says, "On average boys are taller and stronger, run faster, jump higher and spike the balls harder. In men's volleyball, the net is 7 inches higher for all those reasons. A male athlete faces a net 7 inches shorter than he should." 

     "Their hitting velocity is not the only advantage. Their height, limb length and jumping power give them an advantage at nearly every position."

     A high school team in Ann Arbor, Michigan and other schools conceal male player identity to comply with federal law: protecting student privacy. Identity at a school in California is no secret. A male women's volleyball player won (boys) state track-and-field titles in the high jump and triple jump last May. 

     President Trump signed an order last year denying federal funds to schools that let boys play on girls' teams, but a number of states' athletic associations have continued to let boys compete in accordance with their self-proclaimed gender identity.

What Assumptions? 

     Shepherds outside Bethlehem one night assumed the sun would come up as always. Well, before sunrise, they were startled by the light of angels announcing that the Lamb of God had been born. 

     They dopped everything and hurried to the place where the baby lay. And - we assume in daylight - they excitedly told numerous people what they saw.

     One summer years ago, I was looking over a map of Colorado. Ho hum. But when a friend and I arrived at the youth camp we were going to serve, in the mountains, it took my breath away. Almost. 

     We live with assumptions about God. Maybe we take things for granted. We have pictures in our mind of things the Bible says and preachers preach. 

     God said through Isaiah, See, I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Chapter 43:19.  

     Looks like the day Jesus returns to Jerusalem and new things occur.

     Meanwhile, we can break through our assumptions and open our hearts to new things that God wants to do through us. It took me 48 years (regular church attendance) before a really bad occurrence drove me to my knees and eventually took away my breath. Almost. New things were waiting for me to wake up, after all those years. 

             Jimmy

Our blogs on Thursday and Friday, Galatians chapter 3

You might scroll back if you missed them.

Minnesota

     Perhaps you've been watching the news on riots in Minnesota's capital. Since December, ICE is trying to arrest illegal people who entered the US during the Biden term. Many have criminal records, in particular, Somali nationals are getting final deportation orders. 

     President Trump had criticized the Somali immigrant community for the role that several individuals played in a years-long welfare fraud scheme that siphoned hundreds of millions of dollars meant for food aid, autism services and housing programs. Trump said that Somali gangs are tormenting the state. 

     In November, Trump said he planned to end Temporary Protected Status for Somalia, which shielded about 700 Somali nationals from deportation. 

     Governor Tim Walz - he who ran for US vice president - encouraged those resisting the president's orders. He has a year left in his position, and he suddenly announced his intention not to seek another term. We don't know if he knew about the $$$ scam, but either way he is unfit to rule...except in blue states. 

         Jimmy

PS. See where Democrats are, also in Illinois, New York, California, and other states. Their interest isn't so much in government. It is money and power. 

The Law, or the Faith?

     In Galatians chapter 3, Paul tries to restore truth in people he thought were spiritually sound already. "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The scripture does not say 'and to seeds,' meaning many people, but 'and to your seed,' meaning one person, who is Christ."

     Paul continues, "The law, introduced 430 years later (Moses) does not set aside the covenant established by God (time of Abraham) and do away with the promise to Abraham. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise." 

     So, what was the purpose of the law? Paul wrote, "It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law put into effect through angels does not represent just one party. But God is one."

      Our commentary: Old Testament law was holy, good and righteous. But it could not impart spiritual life. The law acted as a temporary tutor for God's people. 

     Paul continues, "The scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

     "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

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Consider Abraham

     Paul, formerly known as Saul, a Jewish leader, tells churches in Galatia (and us) what they (and we) need to know. A two-fold question: Is faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior the only prerequisite for salvation? Or is obedience to certain practices and laws required?

     He wrote, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel." He was shocked with the Galatians and called them "foolish." 

     In chapter 3, "I would like to know just one thing: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? (What is our answer?) Are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"

     "Consider Abraham. He believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Understand that those who believe are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.'" 

     "It is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.' Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because 'the righteous will live by faith.'"

     "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus...so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit." 

Tomorrow: Who was/is Abraham's seed?

 

Closing the Book 

     Historic Farmers' Almanac will stop the press in November, ending weather predictions, gardening advice, and folksy humor. 

     Its peak circulation reached in 1994 was 4 million, way higher than current estimates at 510,000. Four employees still work at the company in Maine. 

     The accuracy they claim for weather predictions is 85%, although a study by the U. of Illinois puts the number at 52%. 

     Is this the sad end? Nah. 

     The original Old Farmer's Almanac which began publishing in 1792 has no plans to cease operations. 

On the Go 

     Looking at our calendar for January and February, Mrs. and I together have some 10 appointments on the 17 weekdays of the month. It could be doctors, haircuts, automobile service, dentists, a blood draw or some checkup or other. 

     We may be retired from our occupations, but we're tired of appointments. 

Baby Returns Home 

     Our special great grandson, age 3-1/2 months, has CHARGE syndrome, an issue that affects thousands of newborns. These children need round the clock attention.   

         Jimmy 

} picking up where we left off before Christmas {

Christ in the Old Testament 

     No. 4

     Zachariah 9:9, written around 500 B.C.: Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation. 

     The disciple Matthew (21:1-15) connects that with the Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem, humbly riding on a donkey. John wrote of this "triumphal entry" in his chapter 12. 

     David had no way of knowing who he was writing about in Psalm 22. In verse one, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? In verse 18, They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. Exactly what Roman Soldiers were doing as Jesus hung on the cross, centuries later. 

     David wrote in Psalm 16:10-11: ...you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. David certainly wasn't writing about himself. He was predicting a resurrection from death. 

     In Acts chapter 2, when Peter addressed the men who had received the Holy Spirit (the day of Pentecost; the beginning of the church), without a prepared speech, he quoted David in verses 25-32. And in chapter 13 Peter again quoted David, noting that David's body decayed, but the one whom God raised from the dead did not decay. 

Coming soon, No. 5. Allusions

What is Fascism?

     "Fascism is not on the right; it is on the left, along with socialism and communism.

Views has never quoted a reader of WORLD magazine until today.

     "The Nazi's platform included state control of banks, industry, education, media etc. The author of fascism was a committed socialist. And Benito Mussolini (Italy) got his inspiration from him...who believed that true democracy is when citizens subordinate themselves to the state. Government takes care of one another like a family. He believed private interests must serve the public interests or the state.

     "Gandi was a nationalist. So was Nelson Mandela. George Washington and the Founding Fathers were strong nationalists. Their goal was to wrest control from a centralized power (the king) and give it back to the people. Some say our current administration is fascist because it persecutes illegal aliens, like Nazis persecuted Jews. But these examples are completely different.

     "The deportation of illegal aliens follows the rule of law of a rational democratic republic. Nazis persecuted their own citizens under the misguided banner of ethnic superiority. 

     "So why do people believe that fascism is on the right? The reason comes right out of the Nazi playbook. Joseph Goebbels, minister of propaganda for the Nazis, said 'If you repeat a lie often enough people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself."  

     "Today, anything nationalistic and/or militaristic gets the label fascist, when the real test is top-down control versus government in the hands of the people." 

Kevin Lantaff 

 Finding, Receiving, Giving Love

     Just like Simeon (see yesterday's blog), whose life changed the moment he held baby Jesus, we too can experience life-altering moments of divine love.

     These encounters anchor our faith, allowing us to understand that God's love is not coming, but a present reality. It renews us. 

     Some 30 years after baby Jesus was in the arms of Simeon, in Jerusalem, Jesus told a crowd the two greatest laws are loving God and to love others. 

     We can go about our days, looking for opportunities to encounter divine love in all its forms - prayer, worship, acts of kindness. In Ephesians 3:17-19, Paul prays that we may "know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

     There is no science or intelligence in this. God's love often surpasses understanding, inviting us into a richer relationship with him. 

     Remember, other accomplishments aside, the Lord calls us to come to him as his children. Those who die before reaching the age of accountability are said to be welcomed into heaven. No good deeds needed. 

     We who are accountable - faith, deeds and love all good - still are God's children. No one, not the greatest of servants, enters heaven on their merits, even sincere love. Present deeds are welcome and may matter in the next life. 

     But Jesus bore our sins on the cross. That alone is our opportunity    for salvation, eternal life.  

     

Eight Days Later  

     We don't know exactly what day/night Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But we do know that eight days later, Joseph and Mary had arrived with the baby in Jerusalem.

     Why Jerusalem? Following the law of Moses, Jesus (so named by an angel before he was conceived), was to be circumcised in the temple, as the law required. 

     God had saved Israelites from Egyptians; therefore, He considered children his property. 

     In the book of Exodus, chapter 13, the Lord told Moses, "The first offspring (child) among the Israelites belongs to me." In Leviticus chapter 12 we learn that parents could buy back the child if they provided a lamb as payment. If they weren't wealthy enough, two doves and 2 pigeons would suffice. 

     You know which gift Joseph and Mary could afford. God was and still is relating to people in the humblest way. We don't please him with wealth and intellect, though the risen Jesus chose a (poor) intellectual to take the gospel to Gentiles. 

Luke chapter 2: "Anna, age 84, who never left the temple, gave thanks to God and spoke about the child...looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit came upon Simeon, saying he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. He took the baby Jesus, saying, 'My eyes have seen your salvation...a light to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.' Simeon also spoke of challenges Jesus would face. Three decades later, Jesus became the Light, though many never believe.

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