Picking and Choosing

 This is short and not so sweet.

I have a relative who says President Trump is the Antichrist because he was shot on the ear and it healed.

Please check out your Bible, Revelation 13:3, any version you prefer. 

The Christian Standard Bible reads like this: 

One of its heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but its fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.

The last time I checked, a nicked ear is not a fatal head wound. I once nicked both of my ears and put earrings in the holes. I didn't die.

Please don't cherry-pick the words you FEEL LIKE believing. Read all the words and don't skip any just because you don't like them.

Every word is in there for a reason. God knows what He is talking about. You don't get to decide what He SHOULD HAVE said.

Thanks for visiting with me, and God bless you.

Kathi

If you need a Bible, or if you want to verify what I said, and don't have a Bible to prove it, please check one of these links. I am posting affiliate links to several versions of the Bible. Pick whichever one you think is the most worthy. Or please click on one of these links to take you to Amazon and choose the version of your choice.

Listener's Audio Bible—New International Version, NIV: Complete Bible https://amzn.to/436IzUL

NIV, Personal Size Reference Bible, Large Print, Leathersoft, Tan/Brown, Red Letter, Comfort Print  https://amzn.to/46YUGob

KJV Study Bible, Free with Kindle Unlimited   https://amzn.to/4gWrHpC

Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version (very cost effective) https://amzn.to/4nALhtR

Rosh Hashanah

 Today is the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets.

All of the days God appointed for feasts are on the full moon - except this one. This feast falls on the New Moon. It has to be scheduled over the course of two days because "No one knows the day or the hour" when the first appearance of the moon will happen. 

Witnesses are sent to various places. They are to observe the sky very closely to watch for the "horns of the moon" to appear. As soon as they see it, they were to run to the Temple and let the priests know. When two of the witnesses arrive, the priests blow the trumpet and the feast begins.

So sometime today or tomorrow, witnesses will see the horns of the moon and blow the trumpet.

The feasts of Israel were never called holidays. God said, "These are My moedim - appointments, appointed times."

When Jesus came in the flesh, He fulfilled the spring feasts, not just to the day, He fulfilled them to the very hour.

The people were to bring a lamb into their home and inspect it for perfection for four days before Passover. Jesus came into Jerusalem through the sheep gate at the same time as the Passover lambs. He spent four days in the Temple preaching and being questioned by the priests for four days before His arrest.

He was crucified and died at the hour when the Passover lambs were being slaughtered in preparation of the Passover meal.

Jesus rose on First Fruits as the first fruit from the dead.

Fifty days later, on Pentecost, Shavuot, the Holy Spirit arrived in the upper room and the Age of Grace, or the Church Age, began.

After Pentecost, there are no holidays in the summer. That is the time for harvest. In John 4:35, Jesus says, "Do you not have a saying, ‘Four months more, and then comes the harvest’? “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields; already they are white for the harvest."

After the harvest come the fall feasts, Rosh Hashanah being the first of them. According to a Christian Jewish teacher, this is Jesus' second coming, when He touches His foot to the earth.

The next holiday is a fast, Yom Kippur. This is the time of serious reflection and repentance. 

Zechariah 12:10 says it like this: And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn.

If you aren't sure that this refers to Jesus, ask yourself, "When did they pierce God?"

Lastly comes the Feast of Tabernacles. I believe this points to the Millenium when Jesus physically rules the world from His throne in Jerusalem.

This leaves the rapture of the believers for any time at all. Today, tomorrow, next week...whenever.

At the very least, these are things to think about very carefully. 

If Jesus came for His own today, would you be ready? Would you go with Him? Are you sure?

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." It's very simple. It's a free gift and everything depends on your answer.

Thanks for visiting with me - and I hope to see you at the grand party in heaven.

Kathi

My Empty Heart

 My Empty Heart

 

Ephesians 3:16-17 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. NIV

 When I taught in a Christian school, I often wore a heart-shaped locket. No pictures adorned its interior.

A second-grade girl noticed this jewelry and asked what was in the heart. I let her open it so she could see.

When she looked inside, she gave me a somber look and, with the wisdom that comes from young children, said, “It’s not good to have an empty heart.”

Later, I noticed she was concentrating on a project at her desk.

Between classes, my young student brought me a tiny paper heart with the name of Jesus written on it. She gave it to me as a gift so my heart wouldn’t be empty anymore.

It’s been many years, but I haven’t forgotten her words. “It’s not good to have an empty heart.”

How is your heart? Empty or full of Jesus?

Love Your Enemies

 Love Your Enemies

(A true story)

 

Luke 6:27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. (NLT)

“How many times do I have to forgive someone before I can punch them in the nose?”

My brother John and I carpooled to the next town for work. I taught in a Christian school and he worked in a factory as IT and repairer of communication systems. Most of the time, the ride to and from work was pleasant and we exchanged reports of daily experiences. Not this day!

“What happened?” I asked. This was not like John and I wanted to know what had gone so terribly wrong.

John explained that over the course of months, the lady in charge of the parts department, whom he had to deal with on a daily basis, was making up evil rumors about him. People at work began looking at him as if these fictions were true.

“She broke her arms a few weeks ago, and it was wonderful not having to face her every day. Well, she’s back and it’s started up all over again.”

I thought a minute and was inspired with a solution.

“We’re going to try doing it Jesus’ way,” I said. “Tonight I’ll bake a batch of cookies. I’ll put some on a plate with a bow on top. You take it to her tomorrow and say, ‘It’s good to see you back again.’”

I baked up the cookies and decorated a plate as nicely as I could.

I had to go through the school day wondering how my brother was faring with the woman in Parts. I couldn’t wait to hear his story.

No sooner had I settled myself in the car, than he told me what happened.

“I took her the cookies and told her it was good to see her back at work – just like you said. She was nice to me all day. If I needed a part, she gave it to me ahead of the other people in line.” His grin and good humor were amazing proof of the reward for following Jesus’ recommendations.

A plate of cookies may not always be the right answer, but what can you do to bless your enemies?

-The End-

My New Year's Wish

 1 In your day of trouble, may the Lord be with you! May the God of Jacob keep you from all harm. 

2 May he send you aid from his sanctuary in Zion. 

3 May he remember with pleasure the gifts you have given him, your sacrifices and burnt offerings. 

4 May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans. 

5 May there be shouts of joy when we hear the news of your victory, flags flying with praise to God for all that he has done for you. May he answer all your prayers!

Psalm 20:1-5

Happy New Year to all my loved ones.

Kathi

Christmas Letter, 2023

 To those whom I love,                                                      December 2023

 

Christmas is upon us once again. It always sneaks up on me because it is the quietest season of the year for my household. Jesus arrived about two thousand years ago to the acclaim of shepherds and angels. My hope is that He returns before His next birthday. I hope it every year. One of these times it will be true.

 

It’s been a challenging year for me and mine.

I retired from the library in February after 17 ½ years. My first order of business was to write a book. It’s called Stories They Don’t Teach in Sunday School: Beginnings. That went into print in July. The second book Stories They Don’t Teach in Sunday School: Wanderings is available in print and Kindle version on Amazon.

I expanded my garden since I was planning to have plenty of time to do extra canning.

John wasn’t able to visit last October as he usually does, so I asked him to come down for a visit in April. We traveled to Kentucky to spend a day with Lori. It was beautiful weather and we had a great time.

In May, my sister Anne passed away in her sleep. Lori and I went up to attend the funeral and visit with Mother and John for a few days. I know I’ll see her again. That thought helps comfort me.

At the end of July, Les and I traveled to Florida for my mother-in-law’s 99^th birthday. It was hot and humid, but very enjoyable.

Our two dogs are aging and each of them have certain health issues. At some point, we will run out of dogs. We’ve pretty well agreed that we won’t go looking for new ones when that happens.

 

Both of us wish our family and friends the most wonderful holiday season and a blessed New Year. Best wishes for 2024.

 

Love, Kathi and Les

Second Book in the Series

 

Amazon approved this book and says it is live, but I can only find it using this link. 

Kindle version: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPJV3QNQ

Paperback version: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPJ7C5MZ

I assume it will be searchable on Amazon in a day or two, but meanwhile click on one of these links and see what you think. I had to make it more expensive since it has color photos included to help you understand some of the places and things I wrote about.

Thank you for visiting with me, and please see aht you think of my work.

Kathi