Psalms 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
I was so happy the jacaranda trees bloomed when we were in Australia since they are a favorite of my mother’s from her childhood growing up in East Africa. They are gorgeous. Imagine a whole street lined with these beauties! (Examples in Pretoria and Johannesburg.)
Photos taken at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha.
Psalms 119:53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
“Noah is the least biblical biblical film ever made.” - Darren Aronofsky, producer of Noah.
There has been a lot said and written about the new Noah movie. Astonishingly, and yet not, there are those in the professing Christian community that are approving or excusing this film.
Since other people have already written some useful observations about the film, I’m not going to write my own discussion of the film itself. Here are some links with a few comments and quotes for your consideration.
[Disclaimer on all versions other than the Authorized KJV, and some content.]
Ken Ham: The Unbiblical Noah Is a Fable of a Film
Best quote:
“Ultimately, there is barely a hint of biblical fidelity in this film. It is an unbiblical, pagan film from its start. It opens, ‘In the beginning there was nothing.’ The Bible opens, ‘In the beginning God.’ That difference helps sum up the problem I have with the film. The Bible is about the true God of creation; the movie does not present the true God of the Bible.”
Good point:
“It is hard to fathom why some Christian leaders have recommended this movie. Some of them argue that it can be used for evangelistic purposes. However, it grossly distorts the Genesis account of the creation and the flood and totally denigrates the godly character of the Noah of the Bible. In good conscience, we can’t encourage this strategy of evangelism.”
2 Peter 2.)
Don’t let the title fool you. The conclusion isn’t how it sounds. :-) This article is a little rough and the author is a Roman Catholic (meaning he’s not truly a “Christian” unless he believes by faith without the works required by Catholic tradition), but he gives us a pretty clear outline of the film’s content which is very informative. If you want to know what is in the film, read this. (Definite disclaimers here on the source, some content, and his remarks about The Passion of the Christ.)
Best quote:
“It’s true that it might be a bit difficult to discern the ‘message’ in a film so filled with explosions (the Bad Guys have bazookas, naturally), monsters, and infanticide, but any supposed Christian ‘leader’ ought to try a little harder. Pay a little closer attention. If you do, you’ll see a tale that entirely perverts the nature of God, while flipping sin and immorality on its head.
“Aside from a brief glimpse of something that appeared to be either rape or cannibalism, wickedness is portrayed as mostly a matter of eating meat and mining the earth for resources. Noah — a righteous man in the Bible — is stripped of his righteousness in favor of obsessiveness. God is stripped of any characteristics at all, apart from vindictiveness.”
My thought – Sometimes the truth needs to be said, folks. Anyone who would watch this movie and then get offended at blunt writing like this, well…I have no words.
Isaiah 5:20-21 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Romans 1:22-25 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man…Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie…
Noah and Other Biblical Adaptations – by my friend Jo Louise.
Best quote:
“I do not like or have any interest[...] in watching adaptations of the bible. The Word of God is the Truth and should never be altered for entertainment or sheer pleasure. Altering God's words is to say that we think as humans we could have done a better job. That God's words are not good enough for us.”
My thought – This is an excellent point! Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. There is a tendency these days to handle the word of God lightly and to ignore the fact that words have meaning, and that includes every word in God’s Book. Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Reinterpreting scripture through film becomes a perilous thing, and when a self-proclaimed atheist does the job, why would Christians even want to see the results? That one stymies me.
As my sister-in-law pointed out, this movie is wickedness and the Bible says, …God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalms 7:11 (That’s probably not one of the verses you’ll hear being quoted by the “Christian leaders” who are justifying this film.)
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, in speaking of the man of sin tells us, Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Do you love the truth? Do you believe the truth? Do you have pleasure in unrighteousness? Please consider carefully.
The right way:
Psalms 119:14-16 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Psalms 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
This poem was written by my friends Theresa, whose story I told in August 2012 shortly after she went Home to Jesus.
Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
The Man on the Middle Cross
There’s a man who is so dear to me,
He’s known through all eternity,
To save lost souls is why He came,
But many men have shunned His name;
The Man On The Middle Cross
They beat Him beyond human recognition,
Then He carried His cross to that place of contention,
He willingly laid down while praying that we
Would accept His finished work at Calvary;
The Man On The Middle Cross
The nail holes in His hands and feet
Were part of the plan He was to complete,
The crown of thorns upon His head,
And when He was born…only a manger bed;
The Man On The Middle Cross
He died for sinners far and wide,
That’s the reason for His riven side,
Tho’ they reject Him, He loves them still,
If they’ll turn to Him their hearts He’ll fill;
The Man On The Middle Cross
He took my sin and He took my shame,
I will forever praise His name,
When I trusted Him as my Lord and Savior,
He promised He would leave me never;
The Man On The Middle Cross
The greatest thing He could ever do,
Is rise from the dead for me and you,
All this He did without reservation,
Now He’s prepared us a home in that heavenly nation;
The Man On The Middle Cross.
By Theresa Rutherford
2006
Used by permission.
Romans 5:6-9 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed…
My mom’s uncle, Dana Mathna, went to be with the Lord on January 19th at 92 years of age. He was born April 2, 1921. Unbeknownst to me, we shared a birthday, which is why I chose today to post my memorial of him. He was married to Aunt Helen (my grandfather’s sister) for 67 years and was a member of the Shippensburg First Church of God for 69 years! Those are amazing numbers in this day and age! Uncle Dana was on the Church Council and also a custodian for his church for many years.
This is pretty much how I remember Uncle Dana. We visited in their home several times, but the ones I remember were when I was in my teens. I don’t remember him from when I was small. They also paid a visit later to my Gramma in Michigan and we saw them then as well.
I may not have all the details on these things exactly correct, but here are some things I recall. (Maybe if any of the family read this they can help me out where I might be off.)
Uncle Dana was a bit of legend in our family. He was known for the strong, strong coffee he liked. My dad always said Uncle Dana would have a cup in the morning and then the pot sat on the back of the stove all day and got as thick as mud before he got home from work, at which time he drank some more. I don’t how he slept, unless it was decaffeinated! That looks like it could be a cup of that famous coffee at this elbow in this old photo! :-)
Uncle Dana was an only child and he told us that he didn’t want his own children to be as lonely as he was growing up so he thought when he got married he’d have 12 kids. (An obvious solution to the problem, right?) Aunt Helen was not that ambitious in the kids department so they compromised for 6, which God did grant them. Only Randall died as a baby, but despite some serious handicaps he lived some months longer than the doctor expected. It was attributed to the great love that was showered on him by the whole family (extant at that time).
My mom and her brother were in their wedding, pictured above. My Gramma was also (right of bride), and possibly my Grandpa (second from left). Aunt Helen was wearing my Gramma’s wedding dress. :-)
Great-grandma Hoover was already a widow at the time that Uncle Dana and Aunt Helen married. She lived with them for several years in the old family home and then moved to an inexpensive apartment that their church had for widows.
Uncle Dana and Aunt Helen with their two oldest kids.
The three youngsters that came along later. (I don’t know where Randall fit in.)
Uncle Dana loved kids. I remember him as always being interested in us and what we were doing. He talked to us like he really cared, and that’s something kids don’t forget. He was known for handing out candy to kids of all ages at church on Sundays. :-)
Another great story from his life is about his smoking habit. He smoked for years I guess. It got so bad that he was smoking a pack a day, if I remember correctly. At some point he just came to grips with what he was doing to his health and the money he was wasting. I suppose he was thinking about how he might be shortening his time here on earth with Aunt Helen. At that point he determined that he was going to stop smoking and set aside that money (a pack a day!) to take his wife on trips, and he did. They took quite a few bus tours with groups from their church. I think he also sent Aunt Helen to England and Prince Edward Island (with their daughter) so that she could see those places in which she had a special interest.
Of course, the greatest story of Uncle Dana’s life is that he was born again and loved the Lord – and that he acted upon that love in so many ways throughout his life. I am sure that many lives have been touched by his kindness and helpfulness. Whether we live a long or relatively short life, these are the things that count. Our efforts will always be imperfect, but the question is, will people remember us for our faithfulness in following the Lord and pointing others toward Him?
Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
[NOTE: This information and the suggestions given are not intended to be a diagnosis or cure for any problem. If you have a serious problem along this line or continual difficulties of this type, please consult your healthcare provider.]
My brother and sister-in-law and I have had some problems with reactions to fresh vegetable recently. Carrots and celery have been a big trigger for the most part. All three of us have experienced itching in the mouth, and I’ve had a sensation of having damaged my throat or that it was swelling. The itching seems to be clearly an allergic reaction, but the other doesn’t seem clear as to whether it’s caused by something in/on the vegetables or if it’s a problem with the roughness of the texture. (My brother and I both have skin, mouth, and digestive responses from rough textures.)
Today I had a reaction to organic celery (which, due to USDA rules, may not have been truly organic). I noticed a sensation of itching in my mouth before my throat started to feel like there was a piece stuck in it. I don’t know if there actually was or not, but it felt like that.
I expect that other people may have had this problem as well if there are three out of six of us on this property who have had problems, so I thought I’d pass on a small tip that might help someone.
Twice now when I’ve had this “swelling throat” sensation where it feels very irritated, I have used this method: I crushed a half a Benadryl between two spoons, mixed it into some water and then sipped it very slowly, letting my throat get a good exposure to each swallow. This has helped me both time. When I did it for the reaction to the carrots some time back it helped a lot. Today I did it for the celery issue and it helped some. I could do a second half a Benadryl and probably get more relief, but I don’t really want to spend the afternoon sleeping. :-/ Because of that, I also sprayed my throat with Chloraspetic and sucked an Altoids ginger mint since ginger is an anti-inflammatory. The thing about the Benadryl is that it can help the throat and it will also help by going into your system the usual way (if it’s an allergic problem). Also, I expect it works faster since it’s dissolved in liquid.
Foods have been having strange affects on people these days, and this has been a recent problem to us, so I thought I’d pass this on.
As far as the carrots go, my sister-in-law found that if she buys the whole carrots and peels them herself they have less trouble, so it’s probably something that is put on the “baby carrots” to keep them fresh that bothered them. My issue came from an organic whole carrot that I peeled myself, so that didn’t make a difference for me. (We have no trouble with these vegetable cooked.) Even if it was just a texture issue, the Benadryl in water did help, so if you have that issue you might try it. It’s very unpleasant to feel like your throat is swelling or has been abraded.
------------------
After thought – If you actually do have something stuck in your throat, and you’re not choking (no trouble breathing or even talking) – a bit of lettuce, celery string, tomato skin, etc. – and water won’t dislodge it, try eating a piece of bread or drinking hot water. A friend of my dad’s got a piece of lettuce stuck in his throat once and the only thing that dislodged it was bread. Cooked rice might also help.
By David E. M. with comments by myself.
--------------------------------
Every believer should pray for the pastor or leader of their local church/assembly.
Paul coveted the prayer of the believers at Ephesus. "[Pray]", he said "...for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:19-20
Again Paul wrote by inspiration of God. 2Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Pray for your pastor in you own private prayers, in your family, and at church…
