Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
Anchorage, Alaska, November 30, 2018: 7.0 magnitude and 5.7 magnitude earthquakes have struck in Alaska. Approximately 250 quakes of 2.5 magnitude or greater have hit the area in the last day.
Alaska Governor Bill Walker has issued a disaster declaration and state of emergency. Roads are damaged. Thousands are without electricity. Gas and oil lines are being inspected. President Trump has declared a state of emergency as well.
Photo: Marc Lester, AP
See the links provided below for story details and photos.
I had someone ask me this morning as she was reading in John 3:1-21.
“Rodna, Jesus speaks of some things in the Bible that I don’t understand. 1. He says unless we become like a child we can’t enter heaven. 2. Unless we are born-again we can’t enter heaven. Which one is it?”
I thought I would share my revised 😉 answer here in case anyone else needs to know!
We don’t have to understand everything we read. God will give us understanding for the things we need this day. That’s why Jesus prayed “Father give us this day our daily bread”. He didn’t say give us every days’ bread all in the same day. However, when we begin to receive knowledge on the glory, understanding of the Word comes in much higher and easier. The whole Bible begins to make sense as if a veil has lifted from off its pages. So, seek knowledge on His Glory above all things, which can only come through Jesus Christ.
“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44)
Both statements that my friend asked me today are true.
1) We have to become like a little child to enter heaven where we believe all things are possible, we look to God (our Father) with wonder expecting from Him. As we grow, we learn how to release to others what we receive from Him, which brings glory back to the Father full circle. As a child in spirit we look to Him to meet all of our needs. We believe everything He tells us and that everything is possible. We have hope always and look forward to a day when He will make all things new. But that day begins here today, not after we die. Because hope deferred makes the heart sick, but glory revealed through answered prayers, and through our declarations that the Father backs up, makes our joy full.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)
“…you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24)
In this intimate relationship with our Father who always hears us and responds, as we hear and respond to Him, we know our Father has our backs. And He loves us in the same way He loves Jesus. We don’t have to worry if we don’t look like a child in all areas yet. His glory is making us one by restoring our innocence and childlike wonder to totally trust God and trust His glory in everything… without fear. We know only His love.
2) We must be born-again by His Spirit to enter the kingdom of heaven. Both ideas happen together. When one is born-again, He begins the process of becoming a little child again haha! We go backwards in innocence and forward in the knowledge of God! It’s like a backwards birth LOL. Inside out! Right-side up! God is flipping everything around! Imagine taking a long-sleeved sweater off the floor and flipping it inside out. Born again! Who we are in Christ is working its way to the outside where we are transparent and His glory is revealed completely in every aspect of our lives!
It isn’t stoic religion. It’s a living reality of Christ revealed through us. Christ in us coming out with our personalities where we become the light of the world like He is.
Our relationship with our Father in heaven becomes dynamic and authentic. This is where His power to transform all things into light comes out through us (in the flip) as His sons and daughters of glory are revealed! We then have the “Midas Touch” where everything we touch turns to gold! Haha! We work with Him by saying “no” to wickedness and “yes” to His promises and His Word.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:11-13)
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)
We become a child in innocence and mature in the knowledge of His glory. This is knowledge of the Father and the power and light from His throne, which Jesus Christ occupies. It transforms our entire lives as we learn that we are seated with Christ as joint-heirs, and sons and daughters of glory. Remade in His image! Transformed by the power of His glory! And not by our own efforts.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Blessings to everyone! Love and grace and glory to y’all!
Spend, Spend, and Spend some more; we borrowed some and we can borrow more! Since the Great Financial Crisis, virtually every Nation, State, County, Province, Region, City, Town, Village, and two buildings near each other on the same road have gorged on Borrowed Money. The Central Banks of the World opened the Debt Spigot and flooded the Globe with Liquidity. It is oh so much fun when the spending is free. Everyone loves a “Big Spender”! Now the Credit Splurge is over and reality is setting in. Much of the Debt was squandered by bureaucrats that had no economic sense; spending on projects for local constituents that benefited political support groups to consolidate and retain power. Sometimes just outright Fraud and Graft. Some Debt was used to build Schools, Roads, and power Infrastructure, but too much was misspent and mal-invested by the totally incompetent but politically connected technocrats in the Corporate and Government worlds.
Larger than all the stock markets of the World, the Debt Implosion will cause massive Disruptions and Turmoil. Those that prepare will have enormous opportunities as assets are sold at discounted prices to satisfy loans.
Those middle managers that 10 years ago were still in School and have never experienced any Business Environment other than an expanding Credit Bubble will be bewildered as a Global Slowdown unfolds. No one told them that Loans will come due and need to be paid. No one told them Interest Rates can rise and rise quickly, No one told them that Debt cannot always be “Rolled Over’! No one told them Business Cycles end! No one told them, therefore, it is not their FAULT!
Politicians and Corporate insiders will not accept the blame as the Debt Time Bombs start to threaten. The Budgets that are trimmed and the Programs that are reduced or curtailed will become someone else’s fault particularly as Civil unrest starts, as local housing, medical, or food benefits are reduced or worse yet, eliminated! It will be someone else’s fault; either a Foreign enemy or a domestic Ethnic or Religious group will be blamed for mishandling the Economy. Border skirmishes or outright conflict may result as Governments look to deflect and distract. Enemies do not deserve to be repaid!
Goldman Sachs has been embroiled in Corruption across the World and has been accused of creating complicated Financing for Nations such as Malaysia and Greece that provided funds to desperate politicians at very expensive prices, good for the immediate term, but not so good when the Debt needs to be repaid. Abu Dhabi filed suit in New York November 21, 2018 accusing Goldman Sachs of Bribery and Money Laundering. Sovereign and Corporate Debt is at Risk of Default from Rising Interest Rates and Market Forces; now Sovereign and Corporate Debt is at Risk of Default due to alleged Fraudulent practices. Obviously, if the Money was Fraudulently lent, no one would expect to be paid back, would they?
The Bond Market will experience huge defaults and Global Deflation as Trillions of dollars come due; the Debt is not sustainable. Larger than all the stock markets of the World, the Debt Implosion will cause massive Disruptions and Turmoil. Those that prepare will have enormous opportunities as assets are sold at discounted prices to satisfy loans. Essential Cash Flow from Bonds can be replaced often by even larger Income Streams from conservative Rental Real Estate in the great growth markets of the US with much less Risk. A discussion with a Financial Adviser may be Timely and Prudent.
Exodus 30:13-16 This is what everyone who is numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as a contribution to the Lord. Everyone who is numbered, from twenty years old and over, shall give the contribution to the Lord. The rich shall not pay more and the poor shall not pay less than the half shekel, when you give the contribution to the Lord to make atonement for yourselves. You shall take the atonement money from the sons of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the sons of Israel before the Lord, to make atonement for yourselves.”
Photo: Eliyahu Yanai, City of David, Times of Israel
November 2018: An ancient weight from the first Temple era has been discovered in Jerusalem. The “beka” has been found in an archeological dig. A “beka” was used by Jews to pay the half-shekel Temple tax as mandated by the Law in Exodus 30 as noted in the verses above.
The term “beka” is noted two places in the Bible. The first notation is with Rebekah and Abraham’s servant Eliezer.
Genesis 24:22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a beka and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold…
The second and last mention is in regards to the individual payment of the Temple tax.
Exodus 38:26 a beka a head (that is, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for each one who passed over to those who were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.
A Biblical shekel weighs 11.33 grams. Two beka equal one shekel. One beka equals 5.67 grams. Ten gerah equal a beka.
The “beka” was located in Jerusalem’s Emek Tzurim National Park. Specifically, it was found at the foundation of the Western Wall. The pebble was found during 2013 excavations under Robinson’s Arch. The dirt came from a drainage canal under the foundation of the Western Wall. This location would be next to Solomon’s Temple.
Eli Shukron was in charge of the dig on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Shukron made the following statement.
“When the half-shekel tax was brought to the Temple during the First Temple period, there were no coins, so they used silver ingots. In order to calculate the weight of these silver pieces they would put them on one side of the scales and on the other side they placed the beka weight. The beka was equivalent to the half-shekel, which every person from the age of 20 years and up was required to bring to the Temple.”
“This three thousand-year-old beka weight, inscribed with ancient Hebrew was likely used in the First Temple, anchoring once again, the deep historical connection of the Jewish People to Jerusalem,” said Doron Spielman, Vice President of the City of David Foundation which funded the excavation.
In the 21st century, the modern-day Sanhedrin has revived the law or mitzvah for the half-shekel levy (roughly $4 in today’s economy). The cause is to rebuild the third Temple.
Here is today’s version of the half-shekel Temple tax…
The constellation Aquarius, the man carrying the water.
The names of the main stars and the meaning of their names:
– Sadalmelik = the Record of the pouring out
– Sadalsuud = He who pours out
– Sheat = Who goes and returns
The prophecy of the water-man Aquarius in the Bible.
Luke 22:7-13
Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘ Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
Following Aquarius we go into the house of the Master and have dinner with the Teacher.
For additional analysis and commentary click on the video link below.
The Right Reverend Michael Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, interviews Christine McDonald, author of Cry Purple (crypurple.com) and an advocate for survivors of sex trafficking, about what we can do to combat trafficking.
Filming for Christine’s autobiographical movie “Cry Purple” started October 2018. Coming soon to a theater near you.
Matthew 1:5-6, 16 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,and Jesse the father of David the king… of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald
We all have so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for the many blessings God has giving me. Thankful for doors he closed. Thankful for hard lessons learned. Thankful for his love. And thankful for so so much more. Count your blessings!
Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time and company with family and friends.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.
Have a thankful Thursday my friends!!! ~Paul Beverly
Christine has assisted in writing Federal legislation for block grant dollars to states for Substance Abuse.
Our culture ascribes value to people based on a million things that are never listed or mentioned in the Bible as qualifiers for God’s grace and love. We can have compassion for all of the hurting we encounter. I pray that we are challenged to look, not at the behaviors of the moment, but at the people beneath. I hope we dig a little deeper and begin to fight for people.
Instead of passing judgment on the spot, what if we simply asked, “How did this individual get here, right here at this moment in time?” Then we could ask, “God, what would you have me see and do for this individual, right here at this moment in time?”
To be like Christ, we must look beyond the shell; then we will see a hurting individual and not just a label. Labeling can be just as damning as the objectification practiced by the buyers of sex. Let me reiterate: We are as guilty of objectification and commodifying people as the buyers of sex are when we accept and view people according to labels: “prostitute”, “addict”, “disturbed”, “criminal”, etc. I could continue the list, but I think you get the picture here.
We must look past the classification to the created person. God knows each one of us so well that He knows the numbers of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30), so don’t you think He probably knows that guy on the street by name and not as “the addict?”
How do we look beyond the shell? How do we see beneath the surface of those we have a heart for? We have to be intentional, asking God to reveal this to us. We have to be humbled and willing to be uncomfortable.
What can we do? How can we change this? We have to get educated! We have to ask the right questions! And we, as a community, have to shift our views from criminal to hurting individuals for these populations!
Let’s hope eyes will be opened to see these individuals through new eyes, so that together we can make a real difference.
“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald
Jude 1:3b …I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
Jude’s message of the gospel is intent, earnest, and urgent. With deep feeling and dire straits, Jude informs that he παρακαλέω/parakaleo or appeals to readers. παρακαλέω/parakaleo as defined by Strong’s Concordance means: to call to one’s side, call for, summon; to address, speak to, (call to or upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, teach, etc.; to beg, entreat, beseech; to encourage, strengthen. The grammar indicates Jude’s intent is continual or as a matter of habit and lifestyle. Jude is pleading with all his heart, soul, and mind.
Believers are called to chronically contend with intensity for the faith. Faith in what? Faith that was once for all. This is Greek word ἅπαξ/hapax. Simply put it means “once for all”. This is a reminder of the cross work of Jesus Christ. This is how Jesus manages sin, “once for all”. Christ’s one and only death is enough to cover the sins of the planet across the ages.
With Jesus, forgiveness of sin is not a one-time special offer. “For this year only…” No, you can come to Jesus any time you want. Now would be a good time. It does not have to be a special year or date. When Jesus dealt with sin, it was taken care of once and for all time. All people are covered if they are accepting of His effort and payment.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.
Romans 6:10a For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all…
Hebrews 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 10:10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Isaiah 49:12 Look, they come from far away! Look, some come from the north and west, and others from the land of Sinim!
Genesis 10:16-18 the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites. Eventually the families of the Canaanites were scattered.
The following is from the Genesis Record, Henry Morris.
The Biblical mention of a people in the Far East named “Sinim” (Isaiah 49:12), together with references in ancient secular histories to people in the Far East called “Sinae,” at least suggests the possibility that some of Sin’s descendants migrated eastward, while others went south into the land of Canaan. It is significant that the Chinese people have always been identified by the prefix “Sino-” (e.g., Sino-Japanese War; Sinology, the study of Chinese history). The name “Sin” is frequently encountered in Chinese names in the form “Siang” or its equivalent.
The evidence is tenuous but, of all the names in the Table of Nations, it does seem that two sons of Canaan, Heth (Hittites = Khittae = Cathay) and Sin (Sinites = Sinim = China), are the most likely to have become ancestors of the Oriental peoples. Since it seems reasonable that divine inspiration would include in such a table information concerning the ancestry of all the major streams of human development, it is reasonable to conclude that the Mongoloid peoples (and therefore also the American Indians) have come mostly from the Hamitic line.
Hello Saints!
Christine has assisted in writing Federal legislation for block grant dollars to states for Substance Abuse.
