the brew*crew adventure

Studying like a Berean takes time... and one thing that I've learned over the years is not to rush through articles or books when I'm studying any aspect of the Word. Inevitably when I take on a new study, once I begin digging, I'll usually end up with more questions first, as my thoughts are stirred up, and then as I search out and ponder the answers, I'll find myself surrounded with numerous books, articles and Bibles as well as invaluable input from other like-minded Berean-type Believer friends whom I've consulted with questions concerning any given topic/issue...

And so it has gone for me in this last week as I've ventured into this particular study as well, which Julie is hosting here. Thus I'm still gathering my thoughts on the first three portions of the study, all of which I've now read, but am still holding up for analysis. So far, I've really appreciated the fact that doing this study has gotten me digging deeper, praying more specifically about some things and formulating more concretely what I believe. That is always good... and I just love when the Lord prompts me in a direction and I sense His gentle guidance as I go along.

I was glad when Julie announced that she'd slow down the pace a wee bit, as I would be pretty behind at this point if she hadn't, since when endeavoring to "study" an issue, I usually end up doing more than a simple read-through of any given materials... and right now I have a lot on my plate already. What can I say? I'm a slow eater in the physical realm as well... but I hear that's good for digestion anyways, and so I've resigned myself to the fact. And as much as I love my scholar's hat, there are quite a few others I must dawn every day as well, and so, I must allot my time wisely, which means putting away my books (which I could easily while away my days in) to get out the kids' books and study with them, or joining Chris when he says, "Let's watch a movie" or "Let's take the kids to the park", and then there's every Mom's never-ending nemesis... house cleaning and laundry, of course... in my case lately, piles of laundry, which I can tolerate covering the couch for a couple of days, but when the pile starts to encompass the floor around the couch, and I'm having to dig through it to find clean bibs for the spit-up queen, I must determine to set aside my reading- yet again (which have I mentioned, I much prefer?)... to take up the mundane. But like I said, I'm a slow one I guess anyways, and I digress. Okay, back to this here study...

First off, I'd like to throw out a disclaimer to anyone who may have jumped on board (or may be considering) this study per my invitation. I am not very familiar with the writers of this particular study, and therefore cannot stand by their teaching wholeheartedly at this point. Upon initially looking over the material purported to be covered in this study, my inclinations were that it would surly follow along the lines of what I've learned over the years concerning Hebraic roots studies, and would make an easy sort of introductory study for others, as well as review for myself, providing guidance for digging deeper into covenant theology and the Hebraic roots of our faith. So far, I'm thinking that maybe The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread, one of the books that I began with years ago, may be a better way to go for anyone interested in that focused goal for study. Mike and Sue do, however, recommend this other article, The Gospel of the Covenant is the Pilgrimage to Salvation, which I also just read this morning, to supplement this study.

As I'm reading the studies, I'm finding myself needing to look up Scriptures and then even reading some commentaries and referring to some other reference books I have here on hand for clarification here and there to truly approach this study as a Berean...

First of all, Mike and Sue, the authors of this study start off by telling us the purpose of their ministry, Restoration Ministries International, namely to provide awareness to the Church of "the Hebraic foundations of understanding and practice upon which the early Church was founded", by equipping God's people through the provision of "practical resources for God's people to live out His restorative truths to fulfill His purposes."

These are commendable goals, which I do share with the Dowgiewiczes. I also agree with their beginning premise that "Through these truths our Father is revealing the trust-based obedient lifestyle of our father Abraham."

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

~Hebrews 11.17,19

Concerning our father Abraham, I would like to add something here that was not mentioned in this study, but which deeply moved me when I learned it years ago. The first mention of a "Hebrew" in the Bible is in Genesis 14.13, in reference to Abraham. It comes from the Hebrew root word abar, which means "to cross over", thus a Hebrew is one who has crossed over. And just as Abraham responded to God's calling him out, as he crossed over the river into the land which God was giving him, and then trusted and obediently responded to God's requirement that he lay his promised inheritance upon the altar, so too we as Believers in Yeshua/Jesus as our Messiah do respond in faith as we cross over spiritually from this world, into His Covenant (as did the Israelites as well, cross over the Jordan into their Promised Land), and then even physically as we learn to appreciate the many physical symbolisms of walking and living out obedience to His teachings (Torah).

Hebrew:

Derivation.

(1.) The name is derived, according to some, from Eber (Genesis 10:24), the ancestor of Abraham. The Hebrews are "sons of Eber" (10:21).

(2.) Others trace the name of a Hebrew root-word signifying "to pass over," and hence regard it as meaning "the man who passed over," viz., the Euphrates; or to the Hebrew word meaning "the region" or "country beyond," viz., the land of Chaldea. This latter view is preferred. It is the more probable origin of the designation given to Abraham coming among the Canaanites as a man from beyond the Euphrates (Genesis 14:13).

(3.) A third derivation of the word has been suggested, viz., that it is from the Hebrew word 'abhar, "to pass over," whence 'ebher, in the sense of a "sojourner" or "passer through" as distinct from a "settler" in the land, and thus applies to the condition of Abraham (Hebrews 11:13).

from Easton's Bible Dictionary

So, you see, in the truest sense of the word, we as Believers grafted into the true vine, we are Hebrews... I don't know about you, but that was a "wow" revelation for me.

As I've explained above, I am in total agreement with the premises and message of this first lesson, pretty basic stuff. I must say a big "Amen" to the statement made in Lesson #1, here on page 3,

It is vital that you embrace the Covenant relationship which Jesus has made possible. So many false, man-centered gospels have been developed in the past few centuries. Many today are embracing them to their eternal destruction. (see Matthew 7.21-23)

I did, however, notice something concerning this lesson that I would like to bring into question, and to make others doing this study aware of... Really, I am a bit surprised that no one else has yet seen nor brought it up. As I read under "Priority #1", there on p. 3 of the pdf document, where the Scripture John 7.38,39 is quoted and then used as proof text for the following paragraph/statement in paragraph 3, I noticed that it seemed a bit off, as if the Scripture were being taken out of context, as I understand it.

The problem though isn't in the point trying to be made, as I have learned through my own studies over the years how truly, as this study says, the "foundation for our salvation is found in the Older Testament, and made clear in the Newer Testament as a continuum." That's definitely true, like I said, no problem with the *message* being taught here, BUT what doesn't settle with me is the use of that particular Scripture from John to say so, as I don't think that's what it's saying at all... this is a Messianic Scripture, where as you may or may not know, Jesus is proclaiming that He is the Messiah during the Feast of Tabernacles, particularly during the water pouring ceremony.

John 7.37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

As Jamieson writes in his commentary concerning this Scripture:

37-39. the last day, that great day of the feast—the eighth (Le 23:39). It was a sabbath, the last feast day of the year, and distinguished by very remarkable ceremonies. "The generally joyous character of this feast broke out on this day into loud jubilation, particularly at the solemn moment when the priest, as was done on every day of this festival, brought forth, in golden vessels, water from the stream of Siloah, which flowed under the temple-mountain, and solemnly poured it upon the altar. Then the words of Isa 12:3 were sung, With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation, and thus the symbolical reference of this act, intimated in Joh 7:39, was expressed" [Olshausen]. So ecstatic was the joy with which this ceremony was performed—accompanied with sound of trumpets—that it used to be said, "Whoever had not witnessed it had never seen rejoicing at all" [Lightfoot].

Jesus stood—On this high occasion, then, He who had already drawn all eyes upon Him by His supernatural power and unrivalled teaching—"Jesus stood," probably in some elevated position.

and cried—as if making proclamation in the audience of all the people.

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink!—What an offer! The deepest cravings of the human spirit are here, as in the Old Testament, expressed by the figure of "thirst," and the eternal satisfaction of them by "drinking." To the woman of Samaria He had said almost the same thing, and in the same terms (Joh 4:13, 14). But what to her was simply affirmed to her as a fact, is here turned into a world-wide proclamation; and whereas there, the gift by Him of the living water is the most prominent idea—in contrast with her hesitation to give Him the perishable water of Jacob's well—here, the prominence is given to Himself as the Well spring of all satisfaction. He had in Galilee invited all the WEARY AND HEAVY-LADEN of the human family to come under His wing and they should find REST (Mt 11:28), which is just the same deep want, and the same profound relief of it, under another and equally grateful figure. He had in the synagogue of Capernaum (Joh 6:36) announced Himself, in every variety of form, as "the Bread of Life," and as both able and authorized to appease the "HUNGER," and quench the "THIRST," of all that apply to Him. There is, and there can be, nothing beyond that here. But what was on all those occasions uttered in private, or addressed to a provincial audience, is here sounded forth in the streets of the great religious metropolis, and in language of surpassing majesty, simplicity, and grace. It is just Jehovah's ancient proclamation now sounding forth through human flesh, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no Money!" &c. (Isa 55:1). In this light we have but two alternatives; either to say with Caiaphas of Him that uttered such words, "He is guilty of death," or falling down before Him to exclaim with Thomas, " My Lord AND MY God!"

John 7.38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

38. as the scripture hath said—These words belong to what follows (emphasis mine), "Out of his belly, as the scripture hath said, shall flow," &c. referring not to any particular passage, but to such as Isa 58:11; Joe 3:18; Zec 14:8; Eze 47:1-12; in most of which the idea is that of waters issuing from beneath the temple, to which our Lord compares Himself and those who believe in Him.

out of his belly—that is, his inner man, his soul, as in Pr 20:27.

rivers of living water—(See on [1801]Joh 4:13). It refers primarily to the copiousness, but indirectly also to the diffusiveness, of this living water to the good of others.

But in this lesson, they've left the comma out of the Scripture -after me, before "as the Scripture said", and that comma is there in every version of this Scripture that I've checked, and it's important, as its absence completely changes the meaning, naturally. See here. From lesson #1, p.3: "Jesus makes clear how you can enter into this Covenant: "Whoever trust in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him..."

But what the Scripture actually says is:

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Notice the COMMA, because it changes the meaning completely. I'm not sure why they would do this (omit the comma), except to use the Scripture to prove their point, but that's just wrong imho- obviously- and even unneccessary since there's plenty of other proof texts for that premise anyways. And I don't want to be petty, and wouldn't bring it up except that I feel obligated to do so since I have already committed myself to this study, and after consulting two trusted people have been told that I should throw my misgivings out here into the blogosphere for others to consider as well. So, why am I the only one who's even seeing it and am I missing something?

Those words, by the omission of that comma, are made to belong to "Whoever trusts in me"... they have it written in the study as "Whoever trusts in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." And then they go on about how only Scripture in existence then was the Old Testament -granted, of course, but I don't think Jesus was specifying as to "how" to believe on or trust in Him here, His point was that for "whoever trusts in Him", then *comma*, "AS SCRIPTURE HAS SAID, streams of living water will flow" versus believing on HIM as Scripture has said... am I making sense here?

Then they go so far as to say (on the same page), that based on that (their) interpretation of this Scripture (which I didn't find in any other commentary I checked, and I checked a few) that "You can recognize deceptive gospels because they omit the covenant stipulations Jesus speaks of in John 7:38,39" What?! What covenant stipulations? But they're making reference to the previous inference they drew that we should "trust as the Scripture has said" (without the comma, which- did I mention- is there in my Bible). I'm not seeing that He's laid any covenental stipulations per say out there... but they're saying that the covenant stipulations are to "trust in Me as the Scripture has said"... I don't see any, besides the trusting part. And as far as I can tell, they've put the emphasis in the wrong place and therefore have interpreted that very important Scripture all out of whack, which is SO ironic since this very Scripture points SO vividly to Jesus's Jewishness and recognition of the Hebraic temple ceremonies of the day as He proclaimed Himself to be the Jewish Messiah, through reference to the Hebraic customs and writings of the day. And besides, in my humble opinion, that seems to be a bit simplistic of a statement to be made anyways, concerning how to recognize deceptive gospels. So, what gives?

Then again, as far as I can tell, reference is again made to this faulty interpretation of this particular Scripture (John 7.38-39) on page 15, paragraph 8, of the article they refer readers to, The Gospel of the Covenant is the Pilgrimage to Salvation. It says, "To be 'born again' was to trust in Jesus 'as the Scripture has said' - as Abraham trusted." To read a wonderfully insightful little Hebraic commentary piece on Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus (Nakdimon in Hebrew) concerning being "born again", click here.

As I said, I have now read the study up through Lesson three, and have quite a few more thoughts that I'd like to share, but I'm finding myself short of time, so please bear with me as I trail behind everyone else. Now that I got that awkward bit of discrepancy out of the way and off my chest, I feel like I can move on. There's also a lot of good stuff here, and I hate to come out all contrary to begin with, but I must share honestly here with what I perceived, the good and the bad.
Another quote that I would like to "Amen":

So much of Christendom today "outsources" wives and children for others to teach. This was never God's intent, and violates so much of His Word pertaining to the relational intimacy of the home and parental influence in spiritual growth.

And then, from page 4, also of Lesson 1:

Nor should other people or programs compensate for your shortcomings in this responsiblity.

And, that's all for now, since I must attend to other things around here, and have already spent quite a few hours on this today alone. I do have so much more to share though, as my thoughts have been running every which way and many intriguing points brought up that I would like to expound upon, but it will be as I find time... and I am determined to fold that laundry and cook meals for the family first.

Blessings and Shalom to you all~

I just read a great article by Chuck Baldwin on the general shallowness of the religious right lately, in regards to what makes an acceptable political candidate, and specifically some statements made by Dr. James Dobson on a recent interview which reflect this naive mentality of so many Christian conservatives. Don't get me wrong here, I do consider myself a conservative Christian, but come on people (to my fellow cC's), think!!

Here's an excerpt from Pastor Chuck Baldwin's article (who, by the way, also considers himself a conservative Christian among the Religious Right), offering a bit of constructive criticism, I think:

That said, it is my studied opinion that many, if not most, of our national conservative Christian leaders have lost touch with the reality of our nation's ills and how to cure them. I hate to say it, but it seems to me that they have become either perilously shallow and unthinking or myopically focused upon their own success. Either way, the leadership being provided by this once-great group of champions seems to be seriously deficient in both discernment and resolve.

You may read the entire article here at News with Views. Following is his conclusion though, which sums it up quite nicely.

When will conservative Christians wake up? When will they come to understand that when it comes to political office, we are not electing Sunday School teachers? We are electing men and women to do one thing: faithfully discharge their duties to the Constitution of the United States.

What matters more than religious rhetoric is whether or not our elected representatives fulfill their oath of office and obey the Constitution. (Of course, it should be obvious that we cannot be expected to trust a man who has no fidelity to his marriage commitment to be faithful to his commitments to the American people.)

America is in serious trouble, because our political leaders (from both parties) are continually ignoring and overtly disobeying constitutional government. They treat the Constitution (and their loyalty to it) as a pile of dung. This irresponsibility has brought our nation to the brink of the abyss.

We are almost ready to lose our national identity, our culture, our standard of living, and even our military superiority. Our education system is in the toilet. Our manufacturing jobs have almost vanished, our nation is being systematically merged into a "North American Community," and James Dobson's focus seems to be merely that our future president is a man who "openly talks about his faith?"

Oh, Amen and preach on Pastor Baldwin! Anyways, I just thought he made a good point here overall.  Wake up people, it's about the Constitution, remember?!!

This Friday, our family will be celebrating Hanukkah for the eighth year together. Yes, we believe that our Messiah is very much to be found in this Hebraic Festival of Light, which He Himself observed. It has become such a preciously intimate time for our family, anticipated and appreciated more each year I think. We're thus celebrating Jesus very differently during this season, through Hanukkah (when He was most likely actually conceived by the Holy Spirit~ could this be why Mary's reply to the angel Gabriel was a portion from a traditional Hanukkah prayer?), the Festival of Light, rather than through Christmas as we used to, and as most other Christians traditionally do during this time (which we respect, the Lord has just led us differently).

We've actually taken to celebrating His birth during the Biblical Feast of Sukkot, which is when He was most probably actually born. Also, prophetically, Sukkot anticipates the coming kingdom of our Lord and Messiah Jesus wherein all the nations, all people, shall come up to Jerusalem to worship the LORD during the festival (see Zechariah 14:16). So... we're a bit of an oddity. Who knew? LOL

Those of you who know us well already know that Hanukkah is a special time for us. And for those of you who may not, or want to know more about it, just follow the links (highlighted words above) to learn more. You may also go here, here or here (click the highlighted words). It's been a wonderful journey of discovery the Lord has brought us on thusfar, and we are excited to be entering into this special Season of Miracles once again.

I've included a list of Hanukkah books that we're reading in my sidebar. We'll also be referring to our Biblical Holidays book, as we do every year.

Our daughter, 7 yo T, who has grown up celebrating Hanukkah, wrote this about it last August on her own blog;

Hanukkah is a holiday that's very fun. Hanukkah is fun because it is a day that you know that God is truly your King, if you believe in Him. God saves you after you ask for forgiveness for your sins.

Hanukkah is eight days long. Hanukkah is when you should celebrate that God comes to rescue you, like He rescued the Jews from Antiochus and his armies.

Aaaah... yes, He has indeed come to rescue us, and how we shall celebrate!

So, we're all looking forward to celebrating with good foods, kindling the lights of the hanukkiahs each night, crafts, baking cookies, gift-giving, games and sharing our celebration with friends. I also look forward to the moments of still, quiet reflections that I have come to cherish... There's a song on Marty Goetz's Festivals of Lights cd that I so appreciate, which expresses our sentiments during this special holiday. We like to listen to it each night (and try to sing along with the Hanukkah blessings which are also sang on this cd) while reading, drawing or just watching the candles burn... and think about the lyrics.

CHANUKAH

Make my life Your temple

L-rd at this season start

To pull down every idol I have raised up in my heart

(Chorus)

On this Chanukah

On this Feast of Dedication

I dedicate myself to You

Take my defiled altar

Come and cleanse and come repair

So every time I falter I can run to meet you there

(Chorus)

(Bridge)

And with every candle on the menorah

That illuminates the night

Comes a prayer You'd kindle

In me, Yeshua

A desire for Your fire, for Your light

Make of my mortal body

A house worthy of Your name

Rid me of what's ungodly and every hidden thing of shame

(Chorus)

(Bridge)

And with every candle on the menorah

That illuminates the night

Comes a prayer You'd kindle

In me, Messiah

A desire for Your fire, for Your light

Take my supply of oil

Not enough to burn long I fear

But, oh, how I pray I may one day say,

"A great miracle happened here!"

Also, a dear friend of mine shares her own special testimony of sharing Hanukkah with others here, in her Christmas Conundrum, and how the problem resolved itself here.

A great site for kids: Hanukkah for Torah Tots

More about Hanukkah @ Wikipedia

And here's a peek into our celebrations last year: Hanukkah, Night 5 and our Hanukkah 2005 flickr file.

Happy Holidays to you and yours~

Blessings in Messiah,
our "Ner Tamid" (Hebrew for "eternal flame")

~ Beth & family (aka. the brew*crew)

I've just been reading a most fascinating study of the first story told in the Bible, right after that of Creation, that I stumbled upon quite by accident. It's at aish.com in their "exploring the Bible" section of "Jewish Literacy" and is by Rabbi David Forhrman. I've linked the parts here below, in case anyone else is interested. There's some real nuggets ther, it will make you think, and that's a good thing.

Here's an excerpt from the introduction:

So, did ya read 'em yet? I'll wait.

I was reminded of how desperately I wish that I knew Hebrew (yes, eventually I will learn it, right now we're working on the alef bet). I'm afraid that we do lose alot of the deeper meanings in translation. Yes, on the surface, the story is translated correctly... but I was struck by the translation of the word "naked" (in Part 4) and how the same Hebrew word is used to describe both Adam and Eve, and is then used to describe the serpent as well... only its reverse meaning is inferred (as the word has dual, mirror-image opposite meanings).

For the record, NO, I am not and would never question the accuracy of our Bible as we know it today. There is plenty of evidence supporting it's accuracy. It's just that we've lost so many nuances of meaning, deeper insights and understandings. This is one of the reasons that I love to learn more of the Hebraic roots of the Bible, to learn the context and implications of the Scriptures as they were written... to dig. And yes, *smiles* I know that I have my concordance, and dictionaries, and they shall have to do for now, for I don't see myself reading a Hebrew Interlinear anytime soon. Hah hahaha hehehe... but someday...

Here's an excerpt of what I'm talking about, from Part 4: The Naked Truth:

If you had trouble identifying the "phantom nakedness" in our story, it may have been because you were reading the story in English. As it happens, most English translations, almost without exception, conceal the missing occurrence of "nakedness". They usually render the telltale verses in something like the following fashion:

And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and they were not ashamed. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field... (Genesis, 2:25-3:1).

As you read these words, you surely noticed that Adam and Eve were described as unclothed. But you probably didn't observe anyone else described the same way. Now trust me on this one -- you didn't see it because you were reading the words in English. Try reading the verses now, when we substitute the Hebrew word for "naked" -- arom -- in place of its English counterpart:

And they were both arom, the man and his wife, and they were not ashamed. Now the serpent was more arom than any beast of the field... (Genesis, 2:25-3:1).

One second. The snake is "arom" too?

Absolutely. Immediately after the Torah describes Adam and Eve as being naked, the Torah uses the exact same Hebrew term to describe the snake. It just so happens that "arom" can mean not just "naked", but "cunning" too.

Oh, I know that this may be absolutely boring and I almost published this entry as private... but then I thought maybe someone else would be interested as well... and this is, afterall my blog! LOL So anyways, here's some of where my thoughts have been today.

Mega info., as a point of interest: Fallen Empires~ Archaeological Discoveries and the Bible

---

"Little by little, one city after another, one civilization after another, one culture after another, whose memories were enshrined only in the Bible, were restored to their proper places in ancient history by the studies of archaeologists... Contemporary records of biblical events emphasized by contrast and comparison... Nowhere has archaeological discovery refuted the Bible as history."

-John Elder "Prophets, idols and Diggers" (New York: Bobbs Merrill, 1960) p. 16

---

"A substantial proof for the accuracy of the Old Testament text has come from archaeology. Numerous discoveries have confirmed the historical accuracy of the biblical documents, even down to the obsolete names of foreign kings... Rather than a manifestation of complete ignorance of the facts of its day, the biblical record thus reflects a great knowledge by the writer of his day, as well as precision in textual transmission."

-Norman L. Geisler, William Nix "A General Introduction to the Bible" 5th Edition (Chicago: Moody Press 1983) p. 253

It's hard for me to imagine...

what real persecution must be like.

My son, N10 asks me, "Mom, what are we doing for them?

Are we helping their children?"

"We give what we can, when we can...

but PRAYER son,

we can always pray...

and we must continue

to pray for these brothers and sisters of ours."

It's hard for me sometimes, to remember...

I get so easily caught up within my own days.

But tell your children... they remember better.

Let them see what sort of price many are paying for their faith.

Talk about the reality of suffering with Christ...

Subscribe to VOM and Kids of Courage.

Read and talk about each issue with your kids.

You might just be surprised at how interested they are,

and sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

You might just be convicted by how diligent they are to then

remember...

to pray.

I know I am, when I hear my son's simple,

consistent,

heartfelt prayers...

"Lord help those people who are in difficult times,

in difficult places..."

 

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

~Matthew 5.10-11

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a government agency, noted in its 2006 report that "every religious community in China is subject to serious restrictions, state control, and repression."

"We were informed that some brothers and sisters were seriously injured when they were caught, and some have lost contact with their family members who do not know where to send money or clothing to help them," China Aid said. "The lives of some Christians might be in danger."

The original church building, built in 1921 on a 10,000-square-foot parcel, was occupied starting with the 1949 "liberation" by the communist government. The local Christians then worshipped in a 200-year-old building for a time, and in recent years had been reconstructing a worship center on the original site. Then government officials, four excavators and hundreds of military policemen arrived and destroyed the structure.

Of the 60 Christians arrested, about 50 remain in custody, without any formal charges being filed, China Aid said.

"What has worried us most is that some Christians disappeared after the conflict," China Aid said. "Some are young students that can not be found in either the detention or custody centers. According to reliable sources, some may have been beaten to death."

In China, only churches that have registered with the state and meet the government's requirements are allowed to meet, have property or buildings. The government also decides who can register.

While China Aid monitors the China situation on its Monitor China site, the USCIRF lists China as a country of "particular concern" because of the government's behavior towards religious groups.

************************

excerpted from entire story, found here: China Police Crush Christian Church

Ancient book of psalms found in Irish bog by construction worker was opened to Psalm 83

(photo: National Museum of Ireland)

Well, apparently I'm not the only one who finds this archaeological discovery of ancient Psalms in an Irish bog to be miraculous, and its being opened up to Psalm 83 particularly meaningful, especially having been found when it was. This article at WND reports that many believe that this 'Psalm in a bog' is linked to the current war in Israel.

excerpt:

Wallace called it a "miracle find," telling the Associated Press, "[I]t's unlikely that something this fragile could survive buried in a bog at all, and then for it to be unearthed and spotted before it was destroyed is incalculably more amazing."

But it's the fact the book was discovered opened to Psalm 83 that is attracting attention across the globe.

The ancient psalm deals with a plea to God not to let the enemies of Israel eradicate God's chosen nation.

Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. (Psalm 83:1-4)

It then lists a number of Israel's ancient enemies bent on its destruction.

Stan Goodenough, a South African journalist living in Israel for the past 12 years calls the timing of the discovery "incredible."

For right now Israel's enemies are again united in their desire to "cut Israel off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more." They purpose to take for themselves the "pastures of God for a possession." And that they are in league – or in a confederacy – is clear. From Gaza, supported by most of the Arab states, the violence is being directed by the Palestinian Arab terrorist groups: the PLO, Hamas, the Palestine Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front For the Liberation of Palestine and the popular resistance Committees.

In the north, the Lebanese group [Hezbollah], supplied and enabled by Syria and the non-Arab but also Islamic Iran, is raining rockets down on Israel.

This, given the current situation, makes Psalm 83 a fascinating and fitting read, the ancient find nothing short of a phenomenon.

Goodenough points out the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, just as the modern state of Israel was being formed.

The bog find was heralded by the museum on Tuesday, one day after a call for global prayer on behalf of Israel. Psalm 83 was one of three psalms recited at locations worldwide Tuesday at the request of the governing council of Israel's Chief Rabbinate.

In his book, "Israel in Crisis," author David Dolan dedicates an entire chapter to Psalm 83.

"I detail who the protagonists are in the psalm, and then go on to talk about when it might be fulfilled," he told WND.

The website A Christian Witness previously put Psalm 83 into a musical Flash presentation, demonstrating how timely the ancient song is with news images documenting the current threat facing Israel, linking the ancient peoples mentioned in the psalm to modern political states.

**********************************

I enjoyed the flash presentation of Psalm 83, which is set to modern images and a favorite song of mine, Kumi Ori (Arise and Shine) by Barry and Batya Segal, from the lovely Adonai album. It is beautifully sang in Hebrew, and the words are taken from Isaiah 60, verses 1 & 2.

The Glory of Zion

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD shone upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth
and thick fog is over the people,
but the LORD will shine upon you
and his glory will appear over you."

Carla writes about another "coincidence" concerning the bog Psalms here, very cool.

Over at VOM's Persecution Blog, Todd Nettleton is blogging live from the Voice of the Martyrs "Wear the Crown" Conference taking place this weekend.

Also the Persecustion Blog Carnival #6 is posted here.

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3

There have been more Christians killed in the 20th century than in the previous nineteen centuries combined.--U.S. House Resolution. Scripps-Howard News Service, September 28, 1996

"Millions of American Christians pray in their churches each week, oblivious to the fact that Christians in many parts of the world suffer brutal torture, arrest, imprisonment and even death—their homes and communities laid waste—for no other reason than that they are Christians. The shocking, untold story of our time is that more Christians have died this century simply for being Christians than in the first nineteen centuries after the birth of Christ. They have been persecuted and martyred before an unknowing, indifferent world and a largely silent Christian community." ---Nina Shea, Freedom House (human rights organization), International human rights lawyer

"When I see something like this, my heart aches because the believers here don’t even know about it, don’t care. We’re not expressing moral outrage; we’re not indignant of the indifference of the United States government towards this. And we ought to be marching in the streets because our brethren are being persecuted, imprisoned, beaten, sold into slavery, and butchered, and we don’t seem to care in this country."
---Chuck Colson, September 16, 1996, Focus on the Family radio program

To read more go here.

I believe that no teacher should strive to make others think like he thinks, but to lead them to the living Truth, to the Master himself, of whom alone they can learn anything, who will make them in themselves know what is true by the very seeing of it. I believe that the inspiration of the Almighty alone gives understanding. I believe that to be the disciple of Christ is the end of being, that to persuade others to be His disciples is the aim of all teaching.

-George MacDonald-

Discovering the Character of God, p. 270.
Unspoken Sermons, Third Series - "Justice"

For years our 6yod has wrestled with being afraid of the dark. We have prayed together and talked together about it numerous times. She even has Christmas lights strung around her room for night lights, but usually ends up sleeping in ours anyways!...which is fine with us. She and her brother both like to make "mats" on our floor and snooze soundly there. 9yo N has no problem sleeping in his own bed, has done so since he was small, but with T in our room at night, he's lately decided that he wants "to be with the family" and so opts for our floor over his nice cozy bed...leaving poor Samson (who also sleeps in N's room) alone in his crate/den. At least we've gotten the mutt out of our bedroom (yes, he also slept by our bed up until a few months ago)...*smiles*

Just over a year ago, while we were in central FL, we rented a very small, furnished place for a year, with only two bedrooms. Most of our stuff remained in storage during that year, due to lack of room and our anticipated move to a bigger place. This was a year that God *really* stretched me...all of our own stuff, furniture and most of my BOOKS were in storage!

The kids' room was so small that if a bed was in it, there was no room for any of their toys... Our bedroom, on the other hand, was rather large... so the double bed N and T shared was moved in there with us so that they had a place to put their stuff (book, toys, and a shared dresser for clothing - it was tiny)... So, during that year, our family found that we enjoyed sharing a room again anyways, as we had when our kiddos were babies. We've always shared our family's devotions together in the evenings and tucked our kids in together in our "big bed" (which they love to snuggle in), and then we move them to their own hours later when we go to bed (though every now and then one of us will fall asleep right there with them.). They're always sleeping like rocks by then...

Anyways, now they each have their own bedrooms, and yet they still prefer to sleep in Mom & Dad's bedroom... which is usually fine with us. As T says, "I just don't like to be alone at night..." and I'm thinking "well, neither do I, so why should we make her?" or she's keenly observed, "You and Daddy don't sleep alone, you sleep together." I'm thinking, "the girl has a point there."

But every now and then T decides she'll try out sleeping in her own room (which she's done just fine when a friend has slept over as well) and so she did one night. But as I tucked her in she looked quite worried and when I asked her what she was afraid of she (quite impatiently) said...

"You know, what kids are usually afraid of..." to which I innocently questioned..."and what would that be?"

"You know...monsters!" she blurted out, as she looked at me very directly.

To which I aptly replied in my *mother knows* tone, "Now honey, you know that we don't have any monsters in this house... there's no REAL monsters." ...as I made a show of opening her closet door and peering inside (open doors really bother her at night).

Well, she in her infinite 6yo wisdom says to me, "Mom... if there's really not anything to be afraid of, then how come God made hell right underneath us?!"

I will never forget that moment... as the weight of her most profound statement settled into my own thoughts and began to shape my response... This little girl knows of the Truth, we've read the Bible with her and spoken of spiritual realities since she was old enough to ask us about them. She was not buying this "there's no monsters" bit, she knows better, she realizes that evil exists. Our children are constantly asking us questions, and we've answered them as truthfully and sensitively as we've known how.

And so, I stammered, tried to lighten up the discussion as I momentarily changed the subject. In that moment I realized that truly, she understands that evil is in the world (and hell is within it), and I would be lying to say otherwise... and yet, we are safe and can REST in our Lord. So, as I silently prayed for God to help me out... I knew that for my words to be effective, they needed to be honest, and truthful, even as they offered her the comfort she was needing. And He helped me...

I gently reminded my daughter of the reality of the power of the Blood of Jesus, His Spirit that protects our home, and to think of how the angel of death "passed over" the homes of the Israelites who loved, worshiped and obeyed God as they applied the blood of the passover lamb to the doorposts of their home, as they had been instructed to do. They were protected from evil and death, as we are now by Jesus, the Passover Lamb... I reminded her that we are in a covenant with Him and that our home, our family, and our lives belong to Him, and are therefore covered by him... God made hell so that He would have a place where He could lock up evil, forever... My dear, there are NO monsters in this house... by His GRACE, we are safe always, no matter what happens, we are His...

And this made sense to her, though in her case, and truly in the hearts of many adults even (myself included sometimes), fear doesn't necessarily dissipate just because we know in our heads that we need not heed it... We need the power of the Holy Spirit to replace our fears... and this is my prayer for my dear daughter...

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a soundmind.
~2 Timothy 1.7

This morning I was reminded of this conversation between my daughter and I. It's caused me to me stop and ponder alot that I cannot even really put into words... Certainly we read our Bible with our kids, thus they *know* about hell, and I do believe that we, as Christian parents, must be sensitive as to how we deal with this topic with our children. It certainly isn't an issue/topic to *major* on with little ones, and yet, we shouldn't *fear* it, nor disproportionately avoid it either, I don't think. In many ways it truly is a balancing act that takes discernment as to what, how much and when to discuss certain Biblical truths with our kids...

I do not regret that we've always talked openly with our kids about life, death, heaven and hell. Our son has a real heart for intercession, and Chris and I have been blessed as we've witnessed him weeping before the Lord as he's prayed for lost loved ones, as we've grieved together over the realization that we do not know where my own Father (who died when I was 14) is now, and N prays with such fervor for the work of missionaries and the persecuted church... I know that the Holy Spirit has given him a soft heart and effects much through his prayers. The awful truth of hell is a necessary, REAL factor and facet of the gloriously Good News of the gospel which has so made a lasting impression on our son... it is that reality of sin, and its consequential second death, which we have been saved from by our Blessed Messiah!

I pray that we would follow our Lord's lead alone as we daily disciple our children. They're definitely taking it all in... may we always speak the Truth in Love. We have been meditating on the following verse together...

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety. ~ Psalm 4.8

We enjoyed another evening of the Feast of Dedication, the Festival of Light, tonight... complete with cheese and potatoe latkes with sour cream, ketchup and apple sauce and a quiche I make, which is unanimously a favorite accompaniment (and fitting, with all the cheese). It was delicious. Tomorrow I plan to make Sufganiyot (doughnuts!) from scratch, for the first time.

Tonight we did something a little differently than we normally do it... we lit our hanukkias before dinner, and ate by the soft glow of the candlelight... it was nice. We listen to, and *try* to sing along with the traditional Chanukah B'rachot (Blessings) (which we listen to from a cd) as we light our 3 hanukkiahs (N and T each have one they fashioned from sculpey clay last year, and the brass one we bought off ebay last year ~ I'll have to get pics of the kids' menorrahs tomorrow night!).

We had fun making these fancy little match boxes yesterday, and they provide a nice place to keep matches especially for lighting our menorrahs, the highlight of our Hanukkah evenings. I've a feeling these will be precious keepsakes in years to come. Tabitha painted the golden menorrah onto the golden box, complete with little red flames on each tip. Nathan made the Star of David on his, and I made the matchstick hanukkiah on felt. They are all lined with felt inside, and have a striking strip on the bottom, very nice... an idea we got from Hanukkah Fun.

Then, after dinner Chris has been reading to us from one of our many Chanukkah childrens' story/picture books, Eight Lights for Eight Nights...

Tabitha asked Dad if she could read our Scriptures for tonight (which usually he reads, and are taken from our Biblical Holidays book). Chris consented (of course), and she read them all beautifully, KJV even! Here's what they were...

The Messiah is the Light of the World

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

~John 1.4-5

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

~John 8.12

Then Jesus said unto them,

Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

~John 12.35-36

Last night, our Scripture readings were...

The Light of the Body is the Eye

The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

~Luke 11.34

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

~ Jesus, the Messiah, Acts 26.18

N and T have done some lovely artwork the past few days... here is only part...

"Priest lighting the Menorrah" ~ Tabitha, 12/28

"Still Life of Nathan's Menorrah" ~ Nathan, 12/28

"Star of David" ~ Tabitha, 12/27

"Hanukkiah" ~ Tabitha, Hanukkah 2004

And of course, there have been gifts...

Here's some of the books we traditionally read from during our holiday celebration...besides, of course, the Bible!;-)

A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays

by Robin Sampson

This wonderful book has been our most valuable standby for many years now. Next to my Bible, it is my most cherished and used homeschooling resource.

As Henry David Thoreau said,

How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book. The book exists for us to perchance which will explain our miracles and reveal new ones. The at present unutterable things we may find somewhere uttered. These same questions that disturb and puzzle and confound us have in their turn occurred to all the wise men; not one has been omitted; and each has answered them according to his ability, by his word, and his life.

And so it has been with my reading of this most resourceful book by Robin... Finding it was truly a milestone and a beacon for our family. I've read it and drawn inspiration from it year after year...

The Family Treasury of Jewish Holidays

by Malka Drucker

Celebrate! Stories of the Jewish Holidays

Gilda Berger, Peter Catalanotto (Illustrator)

Pearl's Eight Days of Chanukah

stories and pictures by Jane Breskin Zalben

Hanukkah FUN

And I found these two new books at the library today... they look like good additions.

One Candle
by Eve Bunting, K. Wendy Popp

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"What do you think Grandma wants to do this every year?"I don't know for sure. But I think it has to do with being strong in the bad time and remembering it in the good time.

For one family the traditional Hanukkah celebration has a deeper meaning. Amidst the food and the festivities, Grandma and Great-Aunt Rose begin their story-the one they tell each year. They pass on to each generation a tale of perseverance during the darkest hours of the Holocaust, and the strength it took to continue to honor Hanukkah in the only way they could.Best-selling author Eve Bunting's touching and joyous story about the importance of remembrance is exquisitely rendered by K. Wendy Popp's remarkable pastels. One Candle reaffirms the values of tradition and family, but also shows us that by continuing to honor the tragedies and the triumphs of the past there will always be hope for the future.

How this does grieve my heart... When I read these accounts of such atrocities happening RIGHT NOW around this world to our fellow believers... I am just reminded of how very much I am in LOVE with our Lord, and of how I hope that if our own country ever came under such a political/spiritual death grip as so many others are under, that I would have such undivided focus as do my brothers and sisters who are now suffering with our Lord, for Him, and in His Name.

Lord, break my heart for them. That I would take my life and lay it down, all my gifts and all my crowns... I am Yours. They are yours... Thank You for giving them the Grace they need to sustain them. May they rejoice at the prize that you have set before them. Lord remind them of all the eternal promises that in You are "yes" and "amen"... Comfort them, hold them, these heroes of our Faith... Burden my heart for them further, that I may do something... What an awesome thought, to think that one on the other side of this world might be strengthened by my prayer, today, tomorrow, yesterday...

FAITH UNDER FIRE
China destroys church building
16 Catholic nuns beaten by 'government-hired gangsters'

Nun wounded in Chinese government raid of Catholic Church (courtesy: China Aid Association)

The communist Chinese government bulldozed a Catholic Church building in Xi'an city, wounding 16 nuns.

The U.S.-based China Aid Association, citing "reliable sources," said about 30 uniformed young men rushed into the church with wooden sticks in their hands at about 6 p.m. Nov. 22.

Two hours later, a bulldozer started tearing down the place of worship.

China Aid said officials from the government's religious affairs bureau came to the site, and the destruction was halted until the next evening.

Then, about 40 uniformed young men armed with sticks started beating the nuns, who were defending the church building, China Aid said.

Sixteen nuns suffered severe wounds, including eye injuries and broken legs.

China Aid described the attackers as "government-hired gangsters."

Still hospitalized are Dong Jianian, 41; Cheng Jing, 34; Yue Xiuying, 31; and Jin Hongfang, 34.

The other nuns beaten are Zhang Xueling, 45; Ren Aiying, 45; He Jingru, 38; Fan Xiujuan, 32; Jia Shuiyang, 50; Li Zhuanxia, 33; Li Min, 31; Li Zhenzhu, 45; Li Jiaoye, 32; Wang Zhenai, 42; Yang Cenghui, 50; and Zhao Shengyan, 40.

All Protestant and Catholic churches in China are required to be under control of the government, and groups that do not register – the vast majority – are labeled "illegal cults."

Hold to patience in your hearts, my friends, and put it into action when the situation calls for it. Don't let any abusive word from your neighbor stir up hatred in you, and don't allow any loss of things that pass away to upset you. If you are steadfast in fearing the loss of those things that last forever, you will never take
seriously the loss of those that pass away; if you keep your eyes fixed on the glory of our eternal recompense, you will not resent a temporal injury. You must bear with those who oppose you, but also love those you bear with. Seek an eternal reward in return for your temporal losses. ~ Author Unknown.

This song by the Heather Clark Band comes to my mind, Deeper, off of their album Way Gone Place, part of which you may hear here; Deeper [ Windows | Real | MPEG ]

Untie me from these earthly places,

I'm tired of seeing only traces...

Inside I'm craving,

To know your saving

Grace...

Release me from the flesh that holds me,

and the world that tries to mold me.

One man's sin,

Death entered in for all...

And I can't stand this seperation any longer...

I wanna go Deeper, and Deeper,

And Deeper, and Deeper,

And Deeper, and Deeper,

With You.

I wanna go Deeper, and Deeper,

And Deeper, and Deeper,

And Deeper, and Deeper,

With You.

Beyond the veil,

It's where you'll find me...

It's where the world and sanity meet.

Your flesh was torn...

And I was born again,

Born again...

And I can't stand this seperation any longer...

I wanna go Deeper, and Deeper,

And Deeper, and Deeper,

And Deeper, and Deeper,

With You.

I wanna go HOME...

I wanna go,

I wanna go HOME!

And I can't stand this seperation any longer...

And I can't stand this seperation any longer...

And I can't stand this seperation any longer!

I wanna go Deeper, and Deeper,

And Deeper, and Deeper,

And Deeper, and Deeper,

With You.

I wanna go HOME!

Philippians 2

Imitating Christ's Humility

¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
⁶Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Shining as Stars

¹²Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

¹⁴Do everything without complaining or arguing, ¹⁵so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ¹⁶as you hold out^[c] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. ¹⁷But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Related offer:

Sign up for a free subscription to The Voice of the Martyrs' newsletter now. You can also order by phone: 888-843-1054.

Previous stories:

Beijing pastor warned on eve of Bush visit

50 house church leaders arrested, some beaten

Church leaders freed after U.S. pressure

Chinese Christian battles for freedom in U.S. court

Christian released after global exposure

House church leader dies in China

5 American Christians detained in China

Americans roughed up in China

China arrests 100 young Christians

China arrests bishop

China deports U.S. church leaders

Chinese Christian testifies of torture

Top Chinese church leader arrested

100 church leaders arrested

Christian released under global pressure

Imprisoned pastor fears for life

Pastor beaten for leading inmates to Christ

Church leaders tried for revealing crackdown

Christians charged for revealing crackdown

Video shows China destroying church

Report: Police beat Christian to death

Protests help release Chinese Christian

Beijing bows to pressure on captured Christian