Mary, Mother of Jesus, by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/lk1_26.htm

The title says it all... Gary

Up or down?

Just a picture of a balloon over a falls, but wait, is it going up or in the other direction?  I can't tell from the picture; can you?  Question: Have you ever felt like this?  Your life is in turmoil, you are totally confused and can't tell up from up or down.  What do you do next, where do you go?  Forgotten?  Well, here is a portion of the Scripture to remind you...

WEB: Mark Chapter 14

[27] Jesus said to them, "“All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ [28] However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”"

[29] But Peter said to him, “Although all will be offended, yet I will not.”

[30] Jesus said to him, "“Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”"

[31] But he spoke all the more, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said the same thing.

[32] They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "“Sit here, while I pray.”" [33] He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed. [34] He said to them, "“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch.”"

[35] He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. [36] He said, "“Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.”"

[37] He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "“Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour? [38] Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”"

[39] Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words. [40] Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn’t know what to answer him. [41] He came the third time, and said to them, "“Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [42] Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”"

[43] Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. [44] Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.” [45] When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him. [46] They laid their hands on him, and seized him. [47] But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

[48] Jesus answered them, "“Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? [49] I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.”"

[50] They all left him, and fled.

 Jesus had led his disciples for about three years; he was their undisputed leader and deservedly so.  They all go to Gethsemane to pray, but, for some reason the disciples keep falling asleep.  Judas and company enter the picture; the disciples flee.  History, just as Jesus had foretold.  History has been an interest of mine for several decades now and will continue to be for the foreseeable future!  Because of my interest in the Bible, ancient history seems of more interesting than current events, but frankly I like both.  I am not really sure why I find it interesting; perhaps it has something to do with predicting human behavior based on past examples, who knows?  Yet Jesus knew what his followers would do, BEFORE THEY DID IT!!!  They didn't know up from down, just like the balloon in the picture, but Jesus did.  Now we are getting somewhere... As I think about it, the Bible teaches about history in a different way... HIS story.  God saw the pitiful condition of man in his sin and worked out a way to make things right; through HIS son, History... got to love it!!!  Once you know it (or rather how God works) there is a overwhelming fascination in the simplicity of his complexity. Life isn't full of uncertainty, its comprised of serendipity!!!  Up, down, sideways or something else; it really doesn't matter... just as long as the creator of the universe is right there with you.  And that is good enough for me!!!

Five views of Mark 16:16 by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/mk16_16.htm

An interesting lesson on baptism... Gary

Measuring stupidity

Something unreasonable, something irritating, something that just makes you want to find out who made the rule and give them a piece of your mind.  When I saw this sign, I thought of the news I heard this week; that within the next year, more than 80 power plants will close all over America by the fiat of the EPA.  You know, "The environmental Persecution Authority" that makes any rule it can dream up to "change" our country.  What, do I sound bitter? The answer is a resounding "yes"!  As if we don't have enough problems in this country, lets reduce our electricity by 10% next year. This situation will hurt people; its almost like our rulers have it in for us.  Humm, I remember a portion of the Bible where a ruler actually did...

WEB: Exodus Chapter 1

[8] Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who didn’t know Joseph. [9] He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we. [10] Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies, and fight against us, and escape out of the land.” [11] Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses. [12] But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They were grieved because of the children of Israel. [13] The Egyptians ruthlessly made the children of Israel serve, [14] and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all kinds of service in the field, all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve.

[15] The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah, [16] and he said, “When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” [17] But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive. [18] The king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and have saved the boys alive?”

[19] The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women aren’t like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous, and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”

[20] God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty. [21] It happened, because the midwives feared God, that he gave them families. [22] Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”

Some edicts are just wrong.  You can't just exterminate people!  Remember Adolph Hitler???  Whether it is an edict like Pharaoh's or a regulation that hurts people, some things are just wrong, period!  Throughout history, there have been people whose conscience took precedence over their obedience and did what they considered to be the "right thing"!!!  Early Christians would not acknowledge Caesar as LORD and paid for it with their lives.  How could they, JESUS was their LORD!!!  Whenever possible, I believe we should obey our leaders, but there are limits.  In matters of life and death and conscience towards God (like the midwives in the passage from Exodus) we should obey God rather than men.  Besides, some rules are obviously wrong!  Question: How DO YOU MEASURE A HALF A MILE AN HOUR, ANYWAY?????

Sins of God's Grandchildren by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/mal1_1.htm

Another lesson from the book of Malachi... Gary

Sutffed with... what???

The holiday season is a tough time for some people.  When you have to face the reality of your own personal life against the idealized one portrayed in movies like "Its a wonderful life" or the "Miracle on 34th street" or a dozen other holiday films, it can get pretty depressing. So, while the picture is a bit exaggerated, the truth behind it is that many will resort to Prozac or other anti-depressants to make it through the next week or so.  And don't forget Alcohol, because its the drug of choice this time of year.  Instead of all this, why not do something different; read the book of Ephesians and consider that the things of true value are already awaiting you in the heavenly realms...

World English Bible: Ephesians Chapter 3

[1] For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, [2] if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you; [3] how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, [4] by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; [5] which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; [6] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News, [7] of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. [8] To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [9] and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; [10] to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, [11] according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; [12] in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. [13] Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

[14] For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, [16] that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; [17] that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [20] Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, [21] to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

God has given to all us Gentiles hope and love.  Personally, in the form of Jesus and by association our brethren in the church.  This love is not just for the next few days, but is year-round.  The fancy word Ubiquitous really does apply!!!  God's love never stops or changes its mind, never gets bored with you or criticizes your waistline or your hair (or the lack of it).  God loves you and that is the idealized reality.  So, who needs chemical help when faced with this pleasant situation?  Maybe those who do not know Jesus?  In a few days you may actually be sitting down for a meal with some of them, so make an effort to be nice.  Who knows, they might understand God's love if they see it in you?  Try showing it to them, it couldn't hurt!!! 

Does the Lord's house lie in ruins by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/hag1_1.htm

From the prophet Haggai...Gary