In a popular 1965 Broadway musical set in tsarist Russia, the main character insisted that tradition provided balance in the villagersâ lives and that, without traditions, their lives would be âas shaky as a fiddler on the roof.â Traditions are indeed comfortable and somehow reassuring. If we leave the security of the customs we have grown up with, we feel shaken and a bit unstable, as Tevye so eloquently said. Tradition plays a powerful role in the customs that various cultures embrace. … [Read more...] about Christmas: Does It Matter?
Feasts of God
The Sabbath and Agape Love
The 10 Commandments continued to be revered by segments of the population even today. Traditionally esteemed by the founders of this country, they have been displayed in government buildings, courtrooms, and in homes across the country. Just recently, Louisiana proposed requiring the 10 Commandments to be displayed in every public classroom. Christians and Jews alike recognize the 10 Commandments as the source of the Westâs broader moral values and the foundation of many of our laws and legal … [Read more...] about The Sabbath and Agape Love
What Is the Kingdom of God?
What is the Kingdom of God? I donât think we can overstate the importance of the answer to the question. There are so many theories out there about different systems of belief including different definitions of the Kingdom of God. We need to think about the end result of what those beliefs produce and about what the implications of their version of reality are. The idea of the Kingdom of God was clearly central to Christâs ministry making it a fundamental premise of our hope, of our purpose, … [Read more...] about What Is the Kingdom of God?
The Prophetic Return of Christ
Our lives consist of and are measured by pivotal events and experiences that change our direction and our behavior. They can change our outlook on life. i Throughout history God has placed pivotal events upon humanity to shake us from the paradigms which allow us to justify our behavior, to define for ourselves what is good and evil. Some have developed a form of godliness but, whether knowingly or unknowingly, deny the power and purpose of God as their Creator and Sustainer. The Bible … [Read more...] about The Prophetic Return of Christ
Godâs Law Has Consequences
Processing the unfolding events â both worldwide and locally i difficult. By processing, I mean taking the individual components and analyzing them to reach a wise conclusion. It is important that people use a âsound mindâ to assess the developments around us which impact us by degrees. We would also do well to keep in mind that Godâs law has consequences. Those consequences can be good or bad depending on whether the law is applied or rejected. Sin is the cause of our current crisis and … [Read more...] about Godâs Law Has Consequences
Pentecost, the Spiritual Connection
There are many things that we can learn and understand in our walk with God when we observe Godâs walk with the nation of ancient Israel. Thereâs much about the nation of Israel that sets a pattern for us to learn from. By covenant, they became a called-out people who were destined to live according to the will of God as expressed by His law. The feature of the special relationship was the fact that God would dwell among them: âAnd let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among … [Read more...] about Pentecost, the Spiritual Connection
Leaven and Reconciliation
The original instructions given to ancient Israel regarding the first two Holy Days of the annual Holy Day cycle clearly emphasize the isolation of leaven. This applied to both the restriction of eating it and its removal from their dwellings (Exodus 12:15-20). The fact that the days of Unleavened Bread follow immediately after the Passover is important. Christâs sacrifice paid the penalty for our sins and opened the way for us to come into a close, reconciled relationship with Christ and the … [Read more...] about Leaven and Reconciliation