#Psalm 36:5-9

[bojackson54]

Priceless Love Has Nothing to Do With Mastercard

You may remember the credit card commercials… A few years ago there was a series of “priceless” MasterCard commercials which depicted different special events and then broke down the costs involved in getting there. (Naturally you could put all those costs on your credit card!) Each commercial concluded by reminding us of the greater value it actually had: Tutu, $48. Dance lessons, $800. Shoes,…

[walkswithmyfather]

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:16

“In all circumstances part 1: trust in God's character” By Antique Candle Co.:

“Why is it that we most often seek the Lord during the valleys of life? We know from His Word that He wants us to seek Him in every season. During the peaks, with moments of great joy and celebration; during the valleys, in times of worry and uncertainty. Not only does He desire His children to seek Him out, but He calls us to be faithful in all circumstances.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding...” —Proverbs 3:5

Trusting in the Lord's character allows us to find hope in every situation. It's not just about trusting God to get us through the difficult moments, but fully trusting in who He is, which extends to every moment of life.

So what is God's character? Many things. God cannot be compared to anything else in all creation. He created all things. Therefore, there are some attributes of Christ we can and cannot understand. We can't understand being 'unchanging' or 'all-knowing' ourselves because, as we are finite beings, we are neither. However, His Word tells us these truths about Him so that we may trust the characteristics that are unique to God alone. We can see and acknowledge the truth of His character in the Word and in our own lives.

GOD IS UNCHANGING:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” —Hebrews 13:8

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” —James 1:17

GOD IS FAITHFUL:

“...if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” —2 Timothy 2:13

“The Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.” —Psalm 100:5

GOD IS ALL-KNOWING:

“He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge—the Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.” —Psalm 94:9

GOD IS SOVEREIGN:

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” —Romans 11:36

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” —Ephesians 1:7-8

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” —Romans 8:28

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” —Matthew 24:14

Place your trust in a God who is unchanging, faithful, all-knowing, sovereign, and so much more. In all circumstances, His character is something that will never fail.”

[Read the whole of this encouraging Blog post here.]

[garden-of-thoughts-fruit-of-lips]

When recognizing a mistake, don't you instinctively strive for improvement? Similarly, when life knocks someone down, don't they inherently seek to rise stronger than before?

Our inner light is the greatest source of guidance. Is it not fitting that celebrities are called stars, shining bright? When we close our eyes, darkness fades, revealing our own radiant potential. Didn't the dragon's tail sweep away a third of the stars and hurled them to earth, reminding us God's Word is our eternal illumination?

Please pick a color to read. Or read them all 📚

Revelation 18:1

Revelation 21:23

Ezekiel 43:2

Genesis 2:1

Genesis 1:26

John 1:4

John 1:5

Revelation 12:1

Romans 12:2

Revelation 22:5

John 8:12

John 5:35

Isaiah 60:2

Psalms 36:9

Psalms 119:105

Matthew 5:16

Proverbs 4:18

Proverbs 6:23

2 Corinthians 4:4

Revelation 12:4

2 Corinthians 11:14

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

A Light to lighten the Gentiles

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. — Luke 2:25-40 | English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Cross References: Deuteronomy 18:15; 1 Samuel 2:20; Joshua 19:24; Joshua 22:33; 1 Samuel 1:2; 1 Samuel 2:21; Psalm 89:48; Psalm 119:166; Psalm 119:174; Isaiah 8:14; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 11:10; Jeremiah 32:11; Matthew 2:12; Matthew 2:23; Matthew 8:10; Matthew 12:46; Mark 15:43; Luke 1:26; Luke 1:68; Luke 1:80; Luke 2:22; Luke 5:33; Acts 13:3; Revelation 6:10

Read full chapter

Testifying to Jesus: Simeon

[blessedarethebinarybreakers]

Every September, my friend Marc Hong, a professor at Louisville Seminary, hosts Psalmtember. He invites you to join in, too!

Think "Inktober," but in September and with a spiritual focus — and with any art form welcome, from drawing to poetry to photography and beyond. There's also no pressure to create something for every day — do as many or as few as you like.

Here's Marc's description of this artistic event:

Each year, I love to spend a month making art inspired by the Psalms. There are 30 days in September, meaning that I can evenly divide up the 150 Psalms into 5 sets of 30. So, if I do this for 5 years, I will have made art with all of the Psalms. Join me! The prompt list is in the image [as well as below the readmore]. But other words may stand out to you! Or you may try to make art that represents the wholeness of the Psalm. I encourage you to read the text of the whole Psalm each day, consider what emotions it stirs up in you, choose a medium that speaks to you, and make some art! Folks have painted, used ink, drawn with colored pencils, taken photographs, written haikus, and much more. Choose what stirs delight in you!

Tag your post with #psalmtember2023 so we can celebrate the Psalms through art together!

Marc and many others post on Facebook, but I'll be paying attention to the tag here on tumblr. If you create anything you'd like me to share on Facebook on your behalf, DM me.

PSALMTEMBER 2023 PROMPT LIST

SEPT 1 - Psalm 31 - Refuge

SEPT 2 - Psalm 32 - Waters

SEPT 3 - Psalm 33 - Breath

SEPT 4 - Psalm 34 - Radiant

SEPT 5 - Psalm 35 - Net

SEPT 6 - Psalm 36 - Mountains

SEPT 7 - Psalm 37 - Smoke

SEPT 8 - Psalm 38 - Burden

SEPT 9 - Psalm 39 - Burned

SEPT 10 - Psalm 40 - Bog

SEPT 11 - Psalm 41 - Rise

SEPT 12 - Psalm 42 - Deer

SEPT 13 - Psalm 43 - Altar

SEPT 14 - Psalm 44 - Dust

SEPT 15 - Psalm 45 - Robes

SEPT 16 - Psalm 46 - River

SEPT 17 - Psalm 47 - Throne

SEPT 18 - Psalm 48 - City

SEPT 19 - Psalm 49 - Graves

SEPT 20 - Psalm 50 - Tempest

SEPT 21 - Psalm 51 - Clean

SEPT 22 - Psalm 52 - Uproot

SEPT 23 - Psalm 53 - Bones

SEPT 24 - Psalm 54 - Upholder

SEPT 25 - Psalm 55 - Dove

SEPT 26 - Psalm 56 - Bottle

SEPT 27 - Psalm 57 - Shadow

SEPT 28 - Psalm 58 - Snail

SEPT 29 - Psalm 59 - Dogs

SEPT 30 - Psalm 60 - Cracks

[honestlyuniqueyouth]

1# -50

2# -40=90

3# -27=117

4# -36=153

5# -34=187

--------------

6# -24=211

7# -17=228

Psalms 229-2689(2461)

7# -21=232

8# -1-2-3-4 & 91-2-3-4=236

9# -31=263

10# -24=287 ( 💯)

11# -22=309

12# -25=334

13-14 rapidly

15# -10=344

16# -13=357 Daniel

17# -10=367

18# -42=409 ( 💯)

19# - Soul

20# -31=440

21# -12=452

22# -8=460

-------'-------

Isaiah 461-526

Jeremiah 527-578 (+5=583)

Hezekiel 584-631

Daniel 632-643

12's# 67/ 644-710

Psalms 150/ 860

Matthew 28/ 861-888

Mark 16/ 889-904

Luke 24/ 905-928

John 21/ 929-949

Act 28/ 950-976

977

21 Letters 121/ 1097

10.98 ( 1098)

Revulation 1--11= 1099

Revulation 12-22= 1100

JUDGE 17/4

[sassysnakedemon]

Come Away With Me

This is a Cento for GOetry Monday. I used the Bible, and just let it open to whatever while I had my eyes closed. I pointed, and used whatever I saw there. It's surprisingly coherent. I'm going to put the book, chapter/verse stuff in for those who are interested. I used a Gideon's Bible that I stole from a hotel somewhere. I have to say that this Bible seems to really like Revelations, Song of Solomon and Psalms, so there's a bunch from there.

According to all (Numbers 2:34)

Out of Heaven (Deuteronomy 4:36)

It came to pass (Ezekiel 33:21)

There is a voice of the howling (Zechariah 11:3)

Entering into the sepulchre (Mark 16:5)

'Stay me with flagons

Comfort me with apples

For I am sick of love. (Song Of Solomon 2:5)

My tears have been my meat

day and night.' (Psalm 42:3)

'All that hate me

Whisper together against me

Against me do they devise my hurt' (Psalm 41:7)

And the voice which I heard from Heaven

Spake unto me again (Revelation 10:8)

'Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth (Song Of Solomon 1:7)

Am I not free? (I Corinthians 9:1)

I am weary of my crying.' (Psalm 69:3)

And I said unto him

'Sir thou knowest (Revelation 7:14)

My beloved is mine

And I am his. (Song Of Solomon 2:16)

Rise up my love,

My fair one, and come away (Song Of Solomon 2:10)

And there shall be no more curse.' (Revelation 22:3)

This whole thing really made me think of how Aziraphale might be feeling in Heaven as Supreme Archangel, and Crowley offering to run away to Alpha Centauri. Hope you like it!

@isiaiowin

[tmarshconnors]

Scripture on Hearing God's Voice 2/2

Romans 8:16 - "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Galatians 3:5 - "Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?"

Isaiah 55:3 - "Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David."

John 14:21 - "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Habakkuk 2:1-2 - "I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.'"

Psalms 29:1-11 - "Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength... The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters."

Psalms 23:1-6 - "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want... Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Psalms 85:8 - "Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly."

Proverbs 3:30-32 - "Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence."

Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 - "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy... The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation."

Psalms 91:15 - "When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him."

Hebrews 2:1-3 - "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?"

Acts 22:14 - "And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth.'"

Job 36:22 - "Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?"

Hebrews 1:1-3 - "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son... He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature."

Ezekiel 37:1-28 - "The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones... Then he said to me, 'Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.'"

Job 35:10-11 - "But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?'"

Mark 9:1-50 - "And he said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.'"

Revelation 1:3 - "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near."

Hebrews 3:7-8 - "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.'"

John 14:15 - "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

Matthew 4:1 - "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

Psalms 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

1 Samuel 9:1-27 - (The story of Saul being anointed as king and listening to God's guidance through Samuel.)

1 Samuel 3:1-10 - "Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision... And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears.'"

James 1:22 - "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

[greater-than-the-sword]

What is fundamentalism? I’ve gotten answers that range from ‘its sexism masked as Christianity’ to ‘its the opposite of modern liberal Christianity’

The term "fundamentalism" originated in a faith statement made by a Presbyterian denomination in 1910, wherein the "Five Fundamentals" were listed approximately as follows:

1.      The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8-9).

2.      The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27).

3.      The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12-14).

4.      The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15).

5.      The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20).

"Fundamentalist" was then soon after considered a test of Christian orthodoxy and a positive descriptor. However, by the 70's the term was so sought after that it became the subject of sectarian disputes.

Interestingly, in the 1970s, some fundamentalists debated with each other over who had the right to use the term. The “pseudo-fundamentalists” debated the “neo-fundamentalists,” and vice-versa. It also became popular to categorize fundamentalist leaders and ministries as to whether they were militant, or moderate, or modified fundamentalists. I remember writing an article during that time entitled, “Will the Real Fundamentalist Please Stand Up.” (Pettigrew)

Eventually, due to the hot blooded infighting and the narrowing of the meaning and definition of "fundamentalism", the term became synonymous with rigid and sectarian positions, synonymous somewhat with a person who thinks that only those of their specific denomination are true Christians and everybody at every other church is going to hell.

The term caught on with non-Christians and currently is used as a pejorative. Today hardly anybody would identify themselves as a fundamentalist, unless they are able to explain that they hold an originalist position on its meaning, referring back to some older variation of the 5 fundamentals.

Sources: x

x

[alldancersaretalented]

Dancers You Might Know That Competed Against ALDC (Dance Moms) - Season 3

Season 3 Episode 1 In10sity Dance Denver 2012

Gianina was in this episode as a cameo

ALDC does not appear on any official results for In10sity Denver 2012 or 2013

Season 3 Episode 2 Xpression Fort Wayne 2012

Ally Serigne came in 2nd in Teen Solos

other well known studios: Tr!ve Dance Company

Season 3 Episode 3 In10Sity Dance Youngstown 2012

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 4 Dance Troupe Greensboro 2012

Season 3 Episode 5 In10Sity Dance Invitational Woodbridge 2012

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 6 On Stage America, Voorhees 2012

Nick Daniels placed 1st in Junior Advanced Solo with "Ordinary People" (Encore PAC), and 4th with his other solo "Extreme Effects!" (Art of Gymnastics and Cheer), he competed under two different studios - He placed ahead of Nia (didn't place) Chloe (10th) and Kendall (9)

Nick Daniels Group "The 151st Psalm" (Art of Gymnastics and Cheer) came in 3rd behind CADC (2nd) and ALDC (1st)

other well known studios: Jamie's Dance Odyssey

Season 3 Episode 7 WILD Dance Intensive Detroit 2012

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 8 In10sity Dance Ft. Lauderdale 2012

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 9 Xpression St. Louis 2012

Season 3 Episode 10 Xpression Bernardsville 2012

Season 3 Episode 11 In10sity Minneapolis 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 12 POWERHOUSE Cincinnati 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 13 Xpression Grand Rapids 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 14 Energy Dance Highland 2013

Mari Dudash (CADC Dancer later on) places 4th ("Hollywood") and 5th ("Titanium") in Energy Junior Solo under Dance Grosse Ile

Ava Cota ("My Prayer", BDA) places 1st in Energy Junior Solos and wins title

other well known studios: Karen's School of Dance

Season 3 Episode 15 POWERHOUSE Philadelphia 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 16 Energy Youngstown 2013

Mari Dudash (Dance Grosse Ile) places 3rd ("Titanium") and 4th ("Hollywood") behind Chloe (2nd) and Maddie (1st)

Sammie Lenzi (RDP Dance Center) places 1st in Energy Petite Solo and wins title, the following season she switched to ALDC

Season 3 Episode 18 Masters of Dance Arts Bernardsville 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 22 Masters of Dance Arts Coraopolos 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 23 POWERHOUSE Fort Wayne 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 24 Dance USA Youngstown 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Bryant Culler (CADC later on) performs solo

Season 3 Episode 25 Masters of Dance Arts Columbus 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 28 In10sity Dance Syracuse 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 31 Believe Lancester 2013

Haley Huelsman competes under Jennifer Napolitano SoPA, comes in 5th with her solo "Gypsy" behind Maddie (1st)

Haley comes in 3rd for title with her other solo "August Rush", behind Maddie who comes in 1st

Jade Cloud (Select Team, New England Dance) comes in first in Power Solo 12-14 with "Vengeance"

other well known studios: Dance Dynamics, New England Dance and Gymnastic Centers

Season 3 Episode 32 Xpression Orlando 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 33 Believe Sandusky 2013

Season 3 Episode 34 Masters of Dance Arts Charleston 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 35 POWERHOSE LV 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode 36 In10sity Dance Buffalo 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 3 Episode Masters of Dance Arts New Orleans 2013

competition created just for dance moms

[orthodoxadventure]

The άνάλαβος (analavos) is the distinctive garment of a monk or a nun tonsured into the highest grade of Orthodox monasticism, the Great Schema, and is adorned with the instruments of the Passion of Christ. It takes its name from the Greek αναλαμβάνω (“to take up”), serving as a constant reminder to the one who wears it that he or she must “take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23). The ornately-plaited Crosses that cover the analavos, the polystavrion (πολυσταύριον, from πολύς, “many,” and σταυρός, “Cross”) — a name often, though less accurately, also applied to the analavos — reminds the monastic that he or she is “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).

With regard to each image on the analavos, the rooster represents “the cock [that] crowed” (Matthew 26:74; Mark 14:68 Luke 22:60; John 18:27) after Saint Peter had “denied thrice” His Master and Lord (John 13:38).

The pillar represents the column to which Pilate bound Christ “when he scourged Him” (Mark 15:15) “by Whose stripes we were healed” (Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24).

The wreath garlanding the Cross represents the “crown of thorns” (Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2) that “the soldiers platted” (John 19:2) and “put upon the head” (Matthew 27:29) of “God our King of old” (Psalm 73:13), Who freed man from having to contend against “thorns and thistles in the sweat of his brow” (Genesis 3:18-19).

The upright post and the traverse beam represent the stipes and the patibulum that formed “the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14), upon which “all day long He stretched forth His hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people” (Isaiah 65:2; Romans 10:21).

The four spikes at the center of the Cross and the hammer beneath its base represent the “nails” (John 20:25) and hammer with which “they pierced” (Psalm 21:16; John 19:37) “His hands and His feet” (Luke 24:40). when they “lifted up from the earth” (John 12:32) Him Who “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us by nailing it to His Cross” (Colossians 2:14).

The base upon which the Cross stands represents “the place, which is called 'Calvary' (Luke 23:33), or 'Golgotha', that is to say, the Place of the Skull” (Matthew 27:33), “where they crucified Him” (John 19:18) Who “wrought salvation in the midst of the earth” (Psalm 73:13).

The skull and crossbones represent “the first man Adam” (I Corinthians 15:45), who by tradition “returned unto the ground” (Genesis 3:19) at this very spot, the reason that this place of execution, “full of dead men’s bones” (Matthew 23:27) became the place where “the last Adam was made a quickening spirit” (I Corinthians 15:45).

The plaque on top of the Cross represents the titulus, the “title” (John 19:19-20), with “the superscription of His accusation” (Mark 15:26), which “Pilate wrote” (John 19:19) “and set up over His head” (Matthew 27:37); however, instead of “Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews” (John 19:19), which “was written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew” (Luke 23:38), the three languages being an allusion to the Three Hypostases “of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), this titulus reads, “The King of Glory” (Psalm 23:7-10), “for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:8).

The reed represents the “hyssop” (John 19:29) upon which was put “a sponge full of vinegar” (Mark 15:36), which was then “put to His mouth” (John 19:29) when in His “thirst they gave Him vinegar to drink” (Psalm 68:21), Him of Whom it was said that “all wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22).

The lance represents the “spear [that] pierced His side”; “and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:34) from Him Who “took one of Adam's ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof" (Genesis 2:21) and Who “washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5).

The plaque at the bottom of the Cross represents the suppedaneum of Christ, “His footstool” (Psalm 98:5), “the place where His feet have stood” (Psalm 131:7). It is slanted because, according to one tradition, at the moment when “Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit” (Mark 15:37), He allowed a violent death spasm to convulse His legs, dislodging His footrest in such a manner that one end pointed upwards, indicating that the soul of the penitent thief, Saint Dismas, “the one on His right hand” (Mark 15:27) would be “carried up into Heaven” (Luke 24:51), while the other end, pointed downwards, indicated that the soul of the impenitent thief, Gestas, “the other on His left” (Mark 15:27), would “be thrust down to Hell” (Luke 10:15), showing that all of us, “the evil and the good, the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), “are weighed in the balance” (Ecclesiasticus 21:25) of the Cross of Christ.

The ladder and the pincers beneath the base of the Cross represent the means of deposition by which Saint Joseph of Arimathea, “a rich man” (Matthew 27:57) who “begged for the body of Jesus” (Matthew 27:58; Luke 23:52), “took it down” (Luke 23:53), so that as in body He descended from the Cross, so in soul “He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth” (Ephesians 4:9), “by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (I Peter 3:19).

Through these instruments, “the Cross of Christ” (I Corinthians 1:17: Galatians 6:12; Philippians 3:18) became the “Tree of Life” (Genesis 2:9; 3:22, 24; Proverbs 3:18, 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Revelation 2:7; 22:2,14), by which the Lord Jesus reified His words that, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

[source]

[hiswordsarekisses]

He was not trying to make it harder to follow Him by making things more strict - He is able to expect more because He is the one Who died to make us able to follow Him. Love supplies what Move demands. . . He gave us a new heart, writing His law on it to make it part of who we are - and supplies not only the grace and power we need to be transformed - but does the transformation Himself!!!

Truth of the Heart...

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“When Yeshua proclaimed, “Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to destroy them but to fulfill them” (Matt. 5:17-20), he was actually amplifying the message of both Moses and the prophets, though his interpretation was contrary to various “traditional” views of his day. “You have heard that it was said [in the law, or by your sages...] ... BUT I SAY unto you...” Wait. What did he say?

As a good Jewish teacher, Yeshua continually affirmed the inner meaning of the Torah, especially the Shema and the related obligation to love others (Matt. 22:36-40). In that regard His doctrine was surely a continuance of the Torah’s foundational message. However, Yeshua clearly extended the reach of the Torah to include the inner heart attitude of the person. Observing the law was not a matter of adhering to various external codes of conduct but involved the rigorous self-examination of the heart and soul.

The law forbade murder, for example, but Yeshua extended the scope of the law to reach the intent of the heart: “You have heard it said (i.e., by Moses himself as he quoted the words of YHVH) ‘You shall not murder...’ but I say unto you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause is liable to excommunication; whoever insults his brother is liable to punishment, and whoever calls his brother a fool is in danger of the fires of Hell” (Matt. 5:21-22). As someone once put it, murder is just anger “communicated really well...”

Likewise, the law forbade the act of adultery, but Yeshua did not focus on the external action but rather the condition of the heart: “You have heard it said, (i.e., by Moses himself as he quoted the words of YHVH) ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” When Yeshua explained that the law’s intent was to prevent even looking with lust upon a woman, then for all the more reason it should be obvious that we refrain from physical acts of adultery or fornication. They eye sees through the heart.... Dealing with the heart attitude behind the lustful look therefore obviates the need to forbid the outer practice of the flesh (and therefore fulfills the intent of the law against adultery).

In matters relating to 1) divorce (i.e., Deut. 24:1-4), 2) the taking of oaths (Deut. 6:13; 10:20; Num. 30:2; Exod. 20:16), 3) the exercise of retribution (Exod. 21:23-24, Lev. 24:19-20; Deut. 19:21), and 4) the obligation to hate one’s enemies (Deut. 7:2, 13:15-17, 20:16, Psalm 137:9, etc.), Yeshua actually circumvented the written words of Torah by denying matters that were technically permissible according to the “letter of the law” (Matt. 5:31-47). We see this clearly in the case of divorce, for instance. When the Pharisees asked him whether it was permissible to put away one’s wife (Deut. 24:1-4), Yeshua answered: "Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so” (Matt. 19:8). Note that this was a “concession” added by Moses that was not genuinely God’s will, and indeed the rigor of Yeshua’s interpretation superseded that of Moses himself, who permitted divorce as a concession to human frailty and evil. Indeed, in each of these examples (divorce, taking oaths, retaliation, tribal loyalty), Yeshua’s interpretation was more demanding and rigorous than the laws written in the Torah of Moses.

By expounding the requirements of the law with such rigor, Yeshua was claiming equal authority with YHVH Himself (יהוה). After all, each antecedent clause, “You have heard that it was said...” referred to an explicit utterance made by God Himself at Sinai. Yeshua then authoritatively extended the reach of the commandment by identifying its underlying ethical intent. This is what he meant by “fulfilling” the Law, or reaching the goal of the Torah’s message. The time of “circumcision of the heart” was at hand (Deut. 30:6). The message of the law was to be written on hearts of flesh, not tablets of stone (Jer. 31:33, 2 Cor. 3:3,6).

Like a flawless mirror, the law of God reflects back to us the truth of our moral and spiritual condition, and thereby reveals our need for deliverance from ourselves (that is, if we are willing to truly look and to be honest with ourselves). The “problem of the law” is that it is “weak” on account of human “flesh,” and therefore remedy had to be sought through other means (Rom. 8:1-4). This is the ultimate gospel message itself - that God sent His Son to both save us from the just verdict of the law (through Yeshua’s substitutionary sacrifice) and to provide the heart’s means to serve Him in the truth (through the agency of the Holy Spirit, given to those who trust in Him).

Let’s consider again Yeshua’s thinking about adultery: “You have heard it said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who *looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” The eye is used to see differently, the way of seeing, and the crux of the matter has to do with what and why the desire arises in the first place. According to Yeshua, no thought is trivial or without spiritual importance. Every word we speak is a form of confession (Matt. 12:36-37). “To the one that has, more shall be given” is a spiritual law. The more you entertain evil thoughts, the more evil thoughts will be given, and the converse is true as well: the more you entertain good thoughts, the more ennobled you shall become. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Yeshua cares about our inner life. His teaching reveals the righteousness that “exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees” by having us examine the thoughts and motivations of our hearts.

Some “religious” people want to measure their actions according to the “letter of the law,” supposing that if they do not contradict the “legal language,” they are innocent, regardless of their “private” thoughts or feelings which are deemed to be irrelevant to matters of fact. They approach the law of God like a tax accountant that seeks to avoid being audited.

This legalistic approach lends itself to minimizing the responsibility we have for our inner thoughts and motivations, and thereby suppresses the deeper reason for the law itself. Someone may be technically innocent from committing an act of adultery though his heart be filled with lustful desire and infidelity, yet it is the evil desire that is impetus for the law in the first place. Intuitively we understand that evil thoughts and intentions lead to evil actions. This is called “premeditation,” meaning that the person has at first thought about doing the action before it was accomplished. It is a matter of cause and effect. To deny this almost the definition of insanity.

A person may not literally steal from others but his heart be filled with covetousness and greed; another may say they would never murder someone, yet they refuse to forgive others, they allow anger to fester within them, and by means of resentment they effectively “destroy” others by cutting them off. You can think of other applications of these principles, but this should suffice to indicate that the inner life of the mind and heart is the essential issue, and that God is not indifferent to the moral character and integrity of our lives...

It is our duty, then, to control ourselves, to think clearly, and to focus on the good, true, beautiful, loving, and honorable. “Think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). Positively this means using the “good eye” by looking for what is healing and life-giving, while negatively this means repudiating evil and ugly thoughts, resisting the insinuations of the devil, and taking every thought captive to the truth of Messiah. In order to respect others, we must respect ourselves, and that means understanding that nothing is trivial and everything matters.

We have a moral and spiritual duty to think clearly and not to abuse our minds (Phil. 4:8; Rom. 12:2). The LORD our God will help us to do this, as Yeshua said: "I will ask the Father, and he will give you a Helper (παράκλητος, someone "called to one's side"), to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth (רוּחַ הָאֱמֶת), whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him" (John 14:16-17). The Spirit of Truth helps us "discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable, and perfect" (Rom. 12:2) and empowers us to take “every thought captive” to the reality of the Divine Presence (2 Cor. 10:4-5).

Followers of the Lord are commanded to love the truth and to think clearly about their faith. The ministry of reconciliation itself is defined as “the word of truth, by the power of God, through weapons of righteousness” (2 Cor. 6:7). Indeed, the word of truth (τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας) is a synonym for the “gospel of salvation” itself (Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5; James 1:18). We are saved by Yeshua, who is the “way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). God commands all people to believe this truth (Acts 17:30-31; 1 Tim. 2:4). People perish because “they refuse to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10-12). Therefore we see that the issue of truth -- and by extension thinking truthfully - is essential to salvation itself...

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Finally, friend, a closing thought. Let us not despair by thinking that we will never change. We must simply “enter into” the presence of God in Yeshua. That is what "self-denial" really means: Turning to God to know his heart. And when we do, we receive a heart to know him in return... Let us “believe to see” the goodness of the LORD in our midst. Amen.”

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[ Hebrew for Christians ]

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[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Taste and See that the LORD is Good

God will I bless all times; his praise my mouth shall still express.

My soul shall boast in God: the meek shall hear with joyfulness.

Extol the Lord with me, let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, he heard, and did me from all fears deliver.

They look'd to him, and lighten'd were: not shamed were their faces.

This poor man cry'd, God heard, and sav'd him from all his distresses.

The angel of the Lord encamps, and round encompasseth All those about that do him fear, and them delivereth.

O taste and see that God is good: who trusts in him is bless'd.

Fear God his saints: none that him fear shall be with want oppress'd.

The lions young may hungry be, and they may lack their food: But they that truly seek the Lord shall not lack any good.

O children, hither do ye come, and unto me give ear; I shall you teach to understand how ye the Lord should fear. — Psalm 34:1-11 | Metrical Psalms 1650 (MP1650) The Metrical Psalter, © British and Foreign Bible Society 2015. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 3:21; Genesis 49:2; 1 Samuel 12:23; 2 Chronicles 15:2; Job 1:10; Job 4:11; Job 22:21; Psalm 12:5; Psalm 18:3; Psalm 18:46; Psalm 23:1; Psalm 25:3; Psalm 31:23; Psalm 35:27; Psalm 36:9; Matthew 7:7; Luke 1:46; 1 Corinthians 1:31; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 6:5; 1 Peter 2:3

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Have You Tasted God Himself?

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

17th November >> Mass Readings (USA)

Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

(Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II))

First Reading Daniel 12:1–3 At that time your people shall escape.

In those days, I, Daniel, heard this word of the Lord:

“At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.

“But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 16:5, 8, 9–10, 11

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord!

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord!

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord!

You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord!

Second Reading Hebrews 10:11–14, 18 By one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.

Brothers and sisters: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Luke 21:36

Alleluia, alleluia. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mark 13:24–32 He will gather his elect from the four winds.

Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation

the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

“And then they will see the ‘Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[pugzman3]

Psalms chapter 89

1 (Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.) I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,

4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.

11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.

14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

21 With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.

22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.

24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.

26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;

32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.

40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.

41 All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.

44 Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.

45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.

46 How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

49 Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?

50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;

51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.

52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.