Traditions, truth, and you

One of the things I like best about Florida is something my youngest daughter does; namely, make every birthday special.  She goes out of her way to have a small party, and although there is not a lot of money to be had, still every one is always memorable.  I was wondering a bit about birthday traditions, so I did a little google search and here are the results:

"In classical Roman culture, 'cakes' of flat rounds made with flour containing nuts, leavened with yeast, and sweetened with honey were occasionally served at special birthdays, but more often at weddings as in Ancient Greece.

In early Europe, the words for cake and bread were virtually interchangeable; the only difference being that cakes were sweet while bread was not. In the 15th century, bakeries in Germany conceived the idea of marketing one-layer cakes for customers' birthdays as well as for only their weddings, and thus the modern birthday cake was born. During the 17th century, the birthday cake took on more or less its contemporary form. However, these elaborate cakes, which possessed many aspects of contemporary cakes (such as multiple layers, icing, and decorations), were only available to the very wealthy. Birthday cakes became more and more proletarianized as a result of the industrial revolution, as materials and tools became more advanced and more accessible.

Tradition of Putting Candles on Birthday Cake

Tradition of placing candles on birthday cake is attributed to early Greeks, who used place lit candles on cakes to make them glow like the moon. Greeks used to take the cake to the temple of Artemis, goddess of Moon. Some scholars say that candles were placed on the cake because people believe that the smoke of the candle carried their wishes and prayers to Gods who lived in the skies. Others believe that the custom originated in Germany where people used to place a large candle in the centre of the cake to symbolize ‘the light of life’.

In present times too, people place candles on birthday cakes and a silent wish is made before blowing out the candle. It is believed that blowing out all candles in one breath means the wish will come true and the person with enjoy good luck in the coming year. Some also smear out the name of the person before slicing of the cake to bring good luck.

Contemporary rituals and traditions

Fancy Contemporary Birthday Cake

The cake, or sometimes a pastry or dessert, is served to a person on his or her birthday. In contemporary Western cultures, two rituals are prominent: the singing of the traditional birthday song and the blowing out of candles decorating the cake by the birthday person.

The service of a birthday cake is often preceded by the singing of "Happy Birthday to You" in English speaking countries, or an equivalent birthday song in the appropriate language of that country. In fact, the phrase "Happy Birthday" did not appear on birthday cakes until the song "Happy Birthday to You" was popularized in the early 1900s. Variations on birthday song rituals exist. For example, in New Zealand, "Happy Birthday to You" is sung and is followed by clapping, once for each year of the person's life and once more for good luck. In Uruguay, party guests touch the birthday person's shoulder or head following the singing of "Happy Birthday to You". In Ecuador, sometimes the birthday person will take a large bite off the birthday cake before it is served.

The birthday cake is often decorated with small taper candles, secured with special holders or simply pressed down into the cake. In North America, Australasia and the U.K., the number of candles is equal to the age of the individual whose birthday it is, sometimes with one extra for luck. Traditionally, the birthday person makes a private wish, which will be realized if all the candles are extinguished in a single breath.

In North America, birthday cake is sometimes served with ice cream.

A birthday cake is shared amongst all the people attending a birthday party. This represents sharing of joy and togetherness. As a courtesy, it reflects one's hospitality and respect for guests.

Candles

Novelty candles may be used.

These common thin, stick-shaped candles are standing in peanut butter cups pressed into the frosting.

Though the exact origin and significance of the candle blowing ritual is unknown, the history of placing candles on top of the cake is well documented. This tradition can be traced to Kinderfest (Kinder is the German word for 'children'), an 18th century German birthday celebration for children. A letter written in 1799 by Goethe recounts: "...when it was time for dessert, the prince's entire livery...carried a generous-size torte with colorful flaming candles - amounting to some fifty candles - that began to melt and threatened to burn down, instead of there being enough room for candles indicating upcoming years, as is the case with children's festivities of this kind..." As the excerpt indicates, the tradition at the time was to place candles for each year of the individual's life with some added candles 'indicating upcoming years'.

Birthday pastry cultural variations

Variations on the birthday pastry exist outside of Western culture. The Chinese birthday pastry is the sou bao (壽包), lotus-paste-filled buns made of wheat flour which are shaped and colored to resemble peaches. A single large pastry is not often served, rather each guest is served their own. In Korea, the traditional birthday dish is a seaweed soup. In Western Russia, birthday children are served fruit pies with a birthday greetings carved into the crusts. The Swedish birthday cake is made like a pound cake and is often topped with marzipan and decorated with the national flag. A Dutch birthday pastry are fruit tarts topped with whipped cream. The Mexican birthday tradition involves a piñata, a colored brittle container filled with candy. In India it's common to rub a piece of cake icing on the face of the birthday person, after the cake has been cut."

So, traditions vary over time and geographical location, but whatever the custom, celebrating a birthday is a joyous event.  We should be happy for the life given to the celebrant and wish them well (no matter how old they are).  Birthday customs may change, but The Truth of the Gospel of Christ does not.  Paul was given a revelation of this by none other than Christ himself and warns those who wanted something more to their own liking about the danger associated with leaving God's truth for something "different".  He says...

Galatians 1:6-14 (WEB)
6) I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”;
7) and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.
8) But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
9) As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.
10) For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.
11) But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.
12) For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.
13) For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.
14) I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
 

 Traditions can be fine things or bad news.  You be the judge.  God has given us something very special to celebrate, that is, a way to heaven not based solely on what we do in this world, but what Christ has done for us.  The next time your birthday comes around, celebrate as much as you want, in any way you want (even if it means having a fried egg with a lighted flame on it).  Just be sure that when it comes to The Gospel of Christ, you don't change a thing.  If you do, the yoke will be on you in the long run.

Teach me to be innocent, please!!!

Cute cat!!!  Actually looks like its praying, doesn't it?  Even more than that, notice how innocent it looks.  Wouldn't it be nice if everyone was "innocent" like the cat?  Until then, there will be problems... here is an example...

Romans 16:17-20 (WEB)

17) Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

18) For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

19) For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.

20) And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Good and evil; always at war with one another.  But, its all about choices, isn't it?  We can decide how we will live, what we think and where we go.  Make good choices, innocent ones, not evil.  Life can be good and that goodness begins with each one of us!!

What to do next?

A few years back there was a song entitled "Don't worry, be happy".  Normally, I do not care much for Reggie music but I liked this one because it was so positive.   Realistically, not everything is positive, but I find that once I start thinking negatively, I just KEEP thinking that way.  Jesus has something to say about worry and so we turn to the book of Matthew...

Matthew 6:24-34 (NET)
24) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
25) “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing?
26) Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are?
27) And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?
28) Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin.
29) Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!
30) And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith?
31) So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’
32) For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33) But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34) So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

We all need food and shelter and clothing.  God knows this and we should know it too.  Think back; have you ever known a really Godly person who was down and out and stayed that way?  I have known some good people who have had temporary problems, but somehow they always "seemed to make it" no matter what.  I can say from personal experience that God has never let me down, although I have to be honest and say I have let HIM down on numerous occaisions.  The chart above could have made made by the person who wrote "don't worry, be happy", but not by a Christian.  Why?  Because whoever did it left God out of the picture.  And for those who really believe in God Almighty, God is in every flow chart you could ever imagine.  In the above case, all you have to do is replace the period with a comma and then insert "God will take care of you" after it.  Problem solved.

Please stand by...

Modern TV is a wonderful thing!!!  Our cable gives us a HUGE amount of channels and if you miss the first part of a show, you can "reverse" it so you can see it all.  Marvelous!!!  But TV wasn't always this way.  I grew up with black and white, three channels, but most of the time two.  And if something went wrong (and it did every so often) you would see this on the screen.  Wait, it meant W-A-I-T and wait some more!!! I hated that waiting.  Especially in the middle of the Lone Ranger or Lassie.  But patience has never been my strong suite (a little better at it now)!  This "wait" sign reminded me of a passage I read in Revelation a couple of days ago...

Revelation 6:9-11 (WEB)
9) When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had.
10) They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
11) A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course.

God's word, God's way, God's time.  How about God's judgment as well?  Even in heaven, we want to have everything "right now".  I guess God will let me into heaven even if I am impatient; this is VERY GOOD NEWS!!!  I just wonder, if they have TV in heaven... will I ever have to see the above picture again... HOPE NOT!!!

HOLD FAST!!!

Yellowstone national park is a big place.  So, it struck me as a little strange to think of this as "Yellowstone".  But, here it is; and when I took a little closer look I couldn't help but notice the tree.  It seems healthy enough but look at that root out in front.  Obviously, the root at the back wasn't enough so the tree sent out one in front for some extra nourishment.  I admire this trees' tenacity!!!  One tough tree, indeed!!!  Christians are to be like this tree; tough and resilient enough to hold on no matter how hard the environment.  Of course, this led me to the book of Hebrews.  Here are a few passages of interest...

Hebrews 3:6 (WEB)
6) but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end.

Hebrews 3:14 (WEB)
14) For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end:

Hebrews 10:23 (WEB)
23) let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.

From these, I see the example of Christ.  He did what was necessary and was faithful.  His example of sonship is to be ours.  I remember an example I read about years ago; the sailors who tended the rigging of sailing ships would often tattoo "h-o-l-d f-a-s-t" on their fingers to remind them of the necessity of maintaining a firm grip.  To do otherwise would lead to certain death.  The way things are going in this country, we need to be reminded to "hold fast".  So, remember Christ and this tree.  Do everything you can to remain faithful, no matter what society says is "politically correct" or what our government says is legal or not.  In other words..."HOLD FAST"!!!!!! 

Hidden?

I am told that there are cities like this throughout Israel; I really don't know if it is true, but this one sure does stand out!  People, like cities, can be commonplace or noteworthy.  Some you notice and some, well, they just sort of blend into the background.  Which leads me to this familiar passage from the Bible.

Matthew 5:1-16 (WEB)
1) Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2) He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5) Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
10) Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. ​
11) “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12) Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13) “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
14) You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
15) Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
16) Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Going through high school and most of the jobs I have had were similar in that I was part of a system.  Just one cog in the mighty wheel that formed the organization.  Most people do just not "stand out".  They are run-of-the-mill human beings, that all do the same things and think the same way.  Boring!!!  Jesus teaches that there is a better way; one that has a wonderful state of being that lives each moment with the one who created it.  This life shines!!!  This life is different!!!  This life is worth living!!!  This life glorifies God!!!  We all have twenty four hours a day, seven days a week to live, so why not live it to its fullest, the way God wants us to.  When we do this, we will shine, people will notice us and wonder why we are the way we are.  Some things can't (and shouldn't) be hidden.  Are you one of them?

Woof, Woof!!!

Cute, very CUTE!  I must admit I chuckled when I saw this. Woof, Woof!!!  Talk about a different sense of humor.  BUT, family is family.  You do, in reality, carry them (sometimes even literally) with you everywhere you go.  You love them, care for them and stand by them no matter what. Which leads me to these passages from the book of Ruth.

Ruth 1:1-13 (WEB)
1) It happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2) The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
3) Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4) They took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they lived there about ten years.
5) Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.
6) Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that Yahweh had visited his people in giving them bread.
7) She went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
8) Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house: Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9) Yahweh grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10) They said to her, “No, but we will return with you to your people.”
11) Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12) Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, ‘I have hope,’ if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons;
13) would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me.”

Ruth 4:13-17 (WEB)
13) So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son.
14) The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel.
15) He shall be to you a restorer of life, and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”
16) Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it.
17) The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi;” and they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

What is family?  Is it just those you share your gene pool?  Or is it something more?  Ruth could have left Naomi and returned to her physical family, but did not.  She loved her mother-in-law and eventually God blessed us all through her son Obed.  Family is a matter of the heart, and whether your life with them is easy or hard, if love is there, hard times or difficult situations really do not matter.  This applies to our spiritual family as well.  God loves us and cares for us...no matter what.  Its up to us to remember that always and return that love.  Humm, I never thought of myself as a sub-woofer before....