Of Course, Cats go to Heaven

My oldest cat, Sammy, was put to sleep tonight. He was calm and happy to sit in my lap. I asked God to send Little One and Tabitha, who he'd grown up with and had already passed, to meet him. Not only did He send them, but also Dids, who was my cat from years ago and had never met Sammy.

They waited patiently for the formalities to be over and comforted me while I waited. Jesus showed up too, kissing my forehead. When it was over and Sammy had exited his body, the girls greeted him. Christ then took them all with him to heaven.

While I will mourn Sammy's loss, I know he and my other cats are reunited. They'll be playing at Jesus feet until one day, I join them.

At the Cross, the dutiful son

As Westerners, we miss a very important event at the cross. Mary, Jesus mother, was there. The Bible never says what happened to Joseph, but we can assume he was dead. As the first born son, it was Jesus responsibility to care for his aging mother. Everyone in the Eastern cultures know this.

So, here he is, dying, and Jesus makes sure his mother is taken of by one of his disciples. What a beautiful and touching image of him making sure she would be loved and cared for, and not tossed out in the streets penniless.

A very significant event. An important one. Don't over look it!

Waiting on God's Timing

Waiting on God's timing can be frustrating, but also ultimately rewarding. Look how long His children waiting in captivity in Egypt before they were freed - four hundred years. Look how long it took until Jesus was born. More generations than we can count. Look how long we've waited for Christ's return - we're still waiting.

We have to trust that God's plan is perfect, even when we think He's crazy. Or wondering what's taking so long. He knows so much more than we do about what is good for us.

So wait we do. 

God's Got This

When you feel like you're dropping off the edge of the Earth.
When you think it can't get any worse.
When you wonder what you could possibly have done that was so wrong.
Remember.
God's Got This.

You are His masterpiece.
You are his precious and beloved Child.
You are an heir God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ.
You are already sitting on the right hand of God.
You are healed. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally.
You live more than abundantly.
You are taken care of via His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.
You can do all the things Christ did and even more because Jesus sits in heaven.
You can speak in Tongues, speak forth prophecy, discern spirits, have words of knowledge and wisdom. And that's only the beginning of the spiritual gifts!
You name is written in the Lamb's book.
You will be raised from the dead or changed when Christ returns.
You're going to get to meet all those wonderful people you've read about in the Bible.
You get to live in heaven - forever.

So Remember.
God's Got This. 

Star of David

I recently had a supernatural experience. I was listening to Joel Olsten talk about our spiritual genetic inheritance, when Jesus himself appeared in my living room. He placed his hand against my forehead and left the Star of David. Now, I'll admit I was half asleep when this happened. His action jolted me awake.

Now, why Jesus would appear and mark me in such a fashion, I have no idea.

I have done some research on what the Star of David means beyond being a symbol of the Jewish people. It is a symbol of unity between God and humanity. It is a symbol of unity, honor and repect. It is a symbol of God ruling the universe. And much, much more.

Myself, I'm honored to carry such a symbol. No, if you looked at me, you wouldn't see it. But I know its there.

Perhaps, just perhaps, I received it because I'm researching my Jewish roots and respect them. After all, Jesus himself was Jewish. We as Christians tend to forget that.

A Christmas Poem

A Christmas Alphabet

A is for Animals who shared the stable.
B is for the Babe with their manger for cradle.
C is for the Carols so blithe and so gay.
D for December, the twenty-fifth day.
E for the Eve when we're all so excited.
F for the Fun when the tree's at last lighted.
G is the Goose which you know is fat.
H for the Holly you stick in your hat.
I for the Ive that clings to the wall.
J is for Jesus, the cause of it all.
K for the Kindness begot by this feast.
L is the Light shining way in the east.
M for the Mistletoe, all green and white.
N for the Noels we sing Christmas night.
O for the Oxen, the first to adore Him.
P for the Presents Wise Men laid before Him.
Q for the Queerness that this should have been
     Near two thousand years before you were seen.
R for the Reindeer leaping the roofs.
S for the Stockings that Santa Claus stuffs.
T for the Toys, the Tinsel, the Tree.
U is for Us - the whole family.
V is for Visitors bringing us cheer.
W is Welcome to the happy New Year.
X Y Z bother me! All I can say,
     Is this the end of my Christmas lay.
     So now to you all, wherever you be,
     A merry, merry Christmas, and many may you see!

Author Unknown

From Christmas Poems, Stories and Carols
Random House Value Publishing Inc., 1995.

Christmas - The birth of Jesus or something else

Christmas is coming. Are you ready for it? Ready for the family dinners, the twinkling tree, and the exchanging of gifts? Or are the images you carry overcrowded stores, angry/rude people and Black Friday Madness?

Our culture has the made the holiday into the most popular toys, latest electronic gadgets and companies watching the ka-ching of their cash registers.

Churches have made it about pageants, musical choirs and nativity scenes complete with a huge star.

The solstice is celebrated by others with the drumming up of the sun. 

Question is, what is Christmas really about? Given the various examples it would depend on whom you asked.

Our modern Christmas trees come from German tradition.

The giving of gifts DID NOT originate with the gifts the magi gave to the Christ child. It comes from the presenting of gifts to a pagan god during the Solstice. It was adapted and changed by the Catholic church.

Fact. It is too cold in the middle east for sheep to be out grazing during December. It is more likely, or so it is speculated, that Jesus was born sometime in September.

The huge star was actually a series of planetary conjunctions noted by many cultures. The Jewish people did not watch the heavens and therefore didn't know what was going on. Another reason Herod had no idea what the magi were talking about. Not to mention Mary and Joseph were living in a house when the gifts were presented. Not the stable as is commonly shown.

The story of the birth of Jesus has had a great deal of mythology added to it. Not to mention at no point does Peter, Paul or any of the followers of Christ say we should make a holiday out of our savior's birth.

So what is Christmas really? Should it really be a celebrated holiday or is it simply a tradition that is a mix of many cultures with roots no one really wants to look at? And what will it morph into in the future?

The Bible Miniseries - Part 4

While the blogger has not yet finished watching this segment, there are some nice things so far. The rising hatred of Jesus coming from the religious leaders and the growing love the people had for him.
Some of the spice is images of Pilate and how cruel he really was.

While several things are taken from the Bible much seems out of context and a very disappointing scene is the one with the adultress who is brought before Jesus. Unfortunately, what the western mind doesn't understand about this trap, is that Jesus knew full well that BOTH parties had to brought for judgement and stoned to death for the sin. He also didn't kneel down and begin writing in the dirt.

The scene with the fish and loaves was well done as was the raising of Lazarus from the grave. Again, there are some things lost on the western mind. Since they sometimes buried someone alive, they checked on the grave after three days to make certain the person was really dead. That is why it was important for the number of days Lazarus had been in the grave.

Also, Mary the sister of Martha is displayed prominently as a follower of Jesus traveling with him, yet the men and women traveled separately, so her being with them as she is, is completely wrong.

While the effort put into these is appreciated, the blogger wishes the writers, producers and directors had put some time and research into making certain cultural aspects clear and correct.

Review - The Bible Miniseries Part 3

While the audience anticipated the continuation of the previous weeks story, instead of beginning with King Solomon, the story jumped ahead several hundred years. The prophet Jeremiah tells the current king that the city will fall to the Babylonian Ruler. Once again, the Jews are led into captivity and forced under the yoke of a foreign and pagan leader.

Once in Babylon, Daniel rises to power and interrupts the king's prophetic dream. The unfortunate part is that the entire dream was not covered, just the golden head. The audience got to see the familiar story of the three tossed into the inferno and rescued by an angel as well as Daniel in the lions den. It also showed how the king went insane.

In the end, they returned home. The best part of this segment was the beautiful customs. The worst part was the bloody violence, the killing of the Israelite king's sons and the hint of Jewish people eating each other during the siege.

Skip forward five hundred years to a small village in Galilee. Enter Mary and Joseph. While correctly shown they were each told by an angel about the events unfolding, incorrectly shown was 'where' they were informed.

The gross part of this segment was King Herod, particularly the leech scene, which could have been deleted and no one would have missed it.

Continue to the traditional birth scene with the shepherds, the three wise men and the huge star in the sky. Missed, the heavenly chorus in the fields.

Historically, and this has been proven, there were actually a number of planetary conjunctions and no huge bright star in the night sky. The Romans were very excited about it and thought it predicted their own current leader. Also, NO WHERE in the Bible does it say there were only three wise men. Three gifts, yes. It is more than likely, given the time, that there were a number of magi who traveled to see the new born king and huge caravan. Also, the Bible very clearly says Mary and Joseph were in a house. Not a stable.

Fast forward to John the Baptist. He's in the river and we have the famous scene depicted in the Bible. Missed, the dove descending and God saying, 'This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.'

Forty days in the desert, the temptation by the devil, which was beautifully done. What is missed here by most, even when they read it, is that Jesus really did have a choice. He knew what would happen to him and he could have said, 'No way.' Instead, he rebukes the evil one and begins his ministry.

Next scene, in the boat with Peter fishing, with so many fish the poor fishermen doesn't know what to do. 

Storms of Life

Most of us know 'FootPrints'. A man has a dream and looks back at his life, sometimes seeing two sets of prints and sometimes only one. Disturbed, he asks the  Lord about it wondering why, during the hardest times of his life, he sees only one set.

The Lord replies, "My precious, precious child. I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering,why you see only one set of footprints, it was then I carried you."

Odd that even today, we tend to forget that God NEVER, EVER forsakes us. It isn't He who leave us rather we who ignore him.

Remember in the hard times, or the storms of life, moan and wail around us, that God walks with us through it. He doesn't abandon us and leave us to flounder and drown.

Jesus didn't allow Peter to drown to he walked on the water. Instead, he put out a hand and pulled his disciple to safety.

God will do the same for us. Don't EVER take your eyes off Him!

Aliens waiting to hear about Salvation?

In light of last week's topic, All Other Creatures, which tells us as believers to preach the word of God to all other creatures, meaning anything God made, I am now addressing the issue of whether or not there might be aliens on other worlds or even beings on our own planet who need to hear the about salvation.

Granted, the argument has been given that humans alone were created. After all, it says in Genesis we were made in God's image. Yet, what is God really? He is love. He is spirit. Two things easily transformed into other beings or shapes or creations.

Yes, Jesus is the only begotten son. But who is to say that God did not make other beings elsewhere who, even now, wait to hear the good news that will be brought by us, when or if, we ever manage to leave our cradle and launch out into the stars.

I didn't think it a crazy idea. In fact, in my book God's Gift, which is on my publisher's 'to do' list and will be released sometime in the near future, addresses this very question. 

All Other Creatures

Romans 8: 39 KJV Nor height, or depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mark 16: 15 KJV And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Hebrews 4:13 KJV Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

These three verses are examples of an odd word - creature. What exactly does this mean? The Greek word is ktisis. It means: A making, thing made, formation, (literal or figurative) building, creation, creature, ordinance.

So what is God saying here when the word creature is used?

In Romans in the previous verses, it talks of what can't separate us from God. Literally it says devils spirits, those in power over us, life, death, angels, present nor future, and yet it specifically also adds creatures. What other creatures is Paul writing about that God felt was so important we, as believers, needed to know that?

In Mark, Jesus is telling his followers to preach the word of God to all Creatures.

In Hebrews God sees all creatures.

So what other creations has God made that we are supposed not to be afraid of and preach His word to?

An interesting mystery. Any thoughts?

Generational Curses

Generational curses are spoken of in the Bible and were talking about the learned behavior of children whose parents worshiped idols. Today, we'd call it learned behavior from parents who teach their kids to beat their offspring or spouse, speak negatively about everything or everyone, and even hatred of others who are a different color, religion or political belief.

Yet, through Christ Jesus, those curses can be broken. The abuser can be delivered and  stop beating. The negative put on a new mind and think positively. Understanding and acceptance can cross international lines as the Word of God spreads. In fact it already has.

Don't think Dear Ones that whatever curse might be following your family can't be broken. It's happened the blogger's family already and will not be spread to the newest generation. Through Christ it can happened. God has ALREADY healed you. Reach out and accept it. Start a new legacy through the promises of God's word.

The next generation and those after will thank you.

'Why Not Question' : Christmas - Myth and Truth

The blogger of 'Why Not Question' celebrates Christmas as a nice family holiday but has removed much of the religious significance it once held.

Why?

Because the blogger understands the truths about how the holiday truly came to pass and the traditions it has encompassed over the years.

Myth : Christ was born on Christmas day.
Truth : The shepherds were in the fields with the sheep. This only happens during lambing season. More than likely Jesus was born sometime in the fall. Estimations by Biblical experts places the birth sometime in September. December would be much too cold for the shepherds and the sheep. Sheep are very fragile and die easily from the elements.

Speculation : Christmas was invented by a certain religious group in order to entice the pagans into the church by embracing the Solstice.

Myth: There were only three wise men and they were present at Jesus' birth.
Truth: The Bible never gives a specific number. It simply says Magi and tells about the three gifts given. The Bible specifically says Mary and Joseph were in a house - NOT the stable. It also says that Harod killed all male children under two years old and indicates that a great deal of time had passed between the birth and Magi's arrival.

Myth: A huge star was present.
Truth: There were a series of astronomical conjunctions and that caused quite a stir in Rome. The Jewish people were the only ones who had no such knowledge, they didn't pay any attention to the stars,emphasized by Harod having to call the religious leaders to find out what the Magi were talking about.

There are quite a number of other myths and truths mixed in with Jesus' birth and Biblical scholars are researching to find out what really was going on historically. It doesn't detract from the savior's birth. Instead, it adds to the current Christian's understanding of what truly happened and brings the Word of God to life far more accurately - destroying the mythos that has sprung up over the centuries.

Christians should celebrate the truths coming to light because each new historical fact proves Jesus was born, is a real person, and not a myth.

'Why Not Question' : Three Days and Three Nights - Where Did They Go?

The Bible tells us Jesus was in the grave for three days and three nights. Yet most churches teach Christ was crucified on Friday and rose on Sunday morning. Does anyone else see the error in this? If tradition is correct - than Christ was only in the tomb for two nights and one day. What happened to the other two full days and one night? And why do people blindly believe what is being taught rather than what God's word says?

We are instructed in Timothy to study God's word, workman who do not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. However, it seems today's Christians are too 'busy' to bother and only listen to what their priest, preacher, pastor, tell them. Thus, an erroneous teaching about the when Christ was crucified and rose, has stayed around for far longer than it should have.

It is far more likely Jesus died on Wednesday and rose on Saturday. The Jewish day runs from Sunset to Sunset - not Midnight to Midnight as it does today. Thus the sabbath would have started on Friday when the sun went down to Saturday at the same time. One would also speculate that Christ rose at the moment the sun set. The next morning the women went to the tomb - since it was customary to wait three days. Seems they wanted to make sure the person was actually dead. This little piece of information gives new meaning to the raising of Lazarus,the reaction of his sisters and why Jesus waited longer before going to see Mary and Martha.

Most Westerners are unfamiliar with Eastern culture and so this very important point escapes the reader. So Christ being in the grave three days and three nights emphasizes the point he was dead. It is also interesting to note NO ONE had come back from the grave - not in those days. So Jesus rising was quite spectacular.

Adding these little known details begins to bring the accuracy of the Bible to the fore front, defusing what tradition teaches and enriching God's word for the modern day believer.