Reposting
What Are We Singing, What are You Proclaiming
by David Russell
Within days many North Americans will sing:
-Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel."
-Oh Little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie."
-"While Shepherds watch their flocks by night."
"Silent night, holy night, all is calm all is bright."
"Do you hear what I hear?"
"Good Christian Men (friends) Rejoice."
"Away in the manger, no crib for a bed."
Meantime, at present, an article dated November 02, 2015, reports some 1.77 million people live in poverty in Israel, of them more than 850,000 children according to an "Alternative Poverty Report" published by the non-profit organization Latet. (See www.haaretz.com)
Then, oppression under Roman rule described life and times in Israel.
All things considered: The music and lyric of Handel's Messiah may best reflect the picture of who Yeshua of Nazaret is and was.
Over a plate of holiday goodies, - if you profess Catholicism or Christianity, how will you answer the following proposal?
Note: Following cited from www.bereansonline.org; Rumination 11.
-They changed Messiah's religion
-They changed Messiah's looks
-They changed Messiah's language
-They forgot that Messiah's brothers should be able to recognize Him far better than any pagan...
"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher."
(Luke chapter 6).
In the minds and written commentaries, prophets, priests and pastors identify Israel as Palestine; not Holy Scripture. Today public prayer disguise the edict in Psalms to pray for the peace of Jerusalem but roll it all into The Middle East. Moreover, prophets, priests and pastors would rather appear to adhere to the Roman Emperor Hadrian, than the writ of Scripture calling Israel proper, Palestine.
The big historic clincher, it has been contended without Hanukkah, there would likely be no Christmas.
In conclusion:
Seasons' greetings!
-Happy Hanukkah, Feast of Lights, Dedication to Adonai.
David Russell (Mellow Roc)
Monday, December 7, 2015
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Fictional Story: Once Was Enough, David Russell
Hello Grafted In Readers,
First, I would like to wish Holiday Season regards to each of you and thank you for reading our blog as often as you might. Comments are always welcomed, and tell a friend about this little enclave if you think they would be interested.
-Below, is another one of my fictional creative efforts. The story is titled, "Once Was Enough", yours truly, David Russell, the author.
The story is set in Boise, Idaho, and about that town dealing with an incident that nearly got out of hand at the fictional football game between BSU and BYU. Feedback welcomed as comment here, Facebook, or where you can find me.
Once Was Enough
by David Russell
Mary and Gene were embarking on enjoying the carefree golden years of life that they had most assuredly earned. Mary had taught in the Boise school system for 28 years, and Gene had worked at the Idaho Power as a lineman for Ada County for 30 years. They had known each other since high school and married after Mary graduated from BSU in 1983.
On a warm afternoon in August, Gene and Mary were busy at cleaning the garage.
"This is sure one of those thankless tasks in life," Gene observed. He continued,
"It has been two years since this city observed its 150th birthday and I'm still recovering from the
hubbub."
"To think we had to spend last year redoing our lawn from all the assholes who used it as public parking," Mary commented.
"I think it's because the city fathers failed to put boundaries on the celebration. All they could think of were the city coffers."
"Yeah, and the church. They about ruined the grounds treating it like a free-for-all. Glad we raised Abigail to be a respectable citizen," Mary said.
"Well at least we got our home back to normal, painted the exterior, replaced the furnace, and put in new carpet since then," Gene added replacing a box of nails on a higher shelf.
"I'm glad the Feds saw fit to give a sizable grant to help home owners refurb their properties after this shindig," Mary recalled. Mary took a moment to give the garage floor a once-over with the broom.
"Abigail and Dennis are going to meet us for dinner at that eatery by the foothills. Dennis just got promoted in his job at Hewlett Packard," Mary said.
"When are we meeting them?"
"About 5:30."
"We have plenty of time then. Frankly, I could use a little nap after being out here since 10 o'clock," Gene said with a partial yawn.
"Sounds good to me. Let's shower first though."
Abigail and Dennis lived in Meridian which was a nice short drive from Boise. Abigail worked for the public radio station hosting "Morning Edition" five days a week. She also was on staff at the art museum as an event planner. Dennis was in the accounting department at HP, and were a happy double income couple with no children as of yet.
Arriving at the Hamlet Bar and Grill, the two couples chose a corner booth. The grill served good rib-eye steaks and had a varied burger menu. Potato skins were a favorite appetizer on the menu. The crowd was modest for an early Saturday evening.
"It has been quite the week in the news business. It never ceases to amaze me how a major terrorist event like that in Paris can grab front, center and the seeming perimeter of a given news day; I wish I still hosted Morning Classics. At least listeners got a break from all the shit that happens in the world."
"Well they got reminded hourly of all the shit," Dennis quipped.
"Hey you two," Mary quipped.
"Speaking of having life rough, earlier today Gene was complaining about the Boise Birthday bash and how it nearly wrecked him," Mary stated.
"I agreed with you though about the payback we got out of it though. Tell the whole story, honey," Gene said waving his straw at Mary.
"By the way my dear wife, you were the one griping about the church property," Gene stated in defense. Dennis chuckled to feign interest.
Just then a server came over and took their dinner order. Moments later he brought back a basket of potato skins to the foursome. Enjoying the atmosphere and appetizing away,
Dennis said,
"On Monday the Square Knights are having a planning meeting. You want to join us this year,"
"One of these times. Not sure it'll be this time, but we will see."
The Square Knights were numbered a small group of guys whose activities were ultra-conservative in scope. Some felt they made Fox News or the National Review look like leftist media representatives.
"We are planning a big protest deal at the BYU/BSU football game in October. It's all about this hydraulic fracking stuff," Dennis stated.
"Hydraulic fracking? Seems like I read where a town in Pennsylvania had water problems over that," Abigail stated.
"Not just there, other places too. The oil companies want to keep drilling at the well-being of others," Dennis continued.
"Just when did you say this Knights meeting occurs<" Gene inquired?
"The meeting is at 7 on the third floor of the BSU Student Union," Dennis informed.
Moments later the burgers arrived and also an acoustic singer by the name of Claudia Schmidt took to the platform as the evening entertainment. She was still a major folk singer, but had been around since the late 1980s. She appeared well for being truly on the backside of 30.
****
The Square Knights were assembled. Their presiding officer, Rick Horn, called the meeting to order. Close to 25 men were in attendance. Moments later, Gene ambled in choosing a seat in the back row. Dennis noting his appearance gave him a slight wave of recognition.
"First Saturday in October, we are going to make our presence known at the BSU versus BYU football game. We have a number of volunteers from the think tank, BSU, that will sporadically wave banners announcing our position on hydraulic fracking. Then during the fourth quarter it'll all come down. Even ESPN will become a news channel then," Rick stated to the group.
"Are the wildlife and mother earth types going to participate," asked an attendee.
"Yes, word has it about 500 persons will emerge from the stand and enter the field between the third and fourth quarter. It will be a peaceable demonstration, 10 minutes maximum," Rick stated.
"Are we going to sit together or at random," Dennis inquired.
"Nearby one another in the main section of the stadium."
"The Northwest has not seen anythying like this since the KKK days or SDS days, and it's high time to awake from apathy," stated a balding 40-something member from the back, seated near Gene..
Gene scratched his head becoming uncomfortable as the talk continued about the first Saturday in October.
"Joe Blocker head of Campus Security is in our corner. This is opposite terrorism but some will probably be ticked that we interfered with the football game. Better that than hospital bills for ingestion of unhealthy drinking water from the chemical B2," Rick said.
Gene squirmed in his seat noting a banner in front of the room. The statement read,
Roctober, time to be sober.
"Hey Gene, are you going to join us," Dennis inquired turning to face Gene from his seat.
"Um, Mary and I have plans to be out of town that weekend. Maybe next time."
Gene felt pretty good about coming up with a plausible excuse on such quick notice. They generally spent football Saturdays with their friends, Jeff and Patti.
"Will you have explosives and guns there or what," Gene questioned.
A moment of laughter ensued from those attending.
"No, something more subtle but just as efficient. We are not that stupid," Rick answered.
Plans were finalized for the consortium to meet in front of the stadium ninety minutes before game time. Joe Blocker, Security Manager with the University was in approval of the group's awakening and would not block their measures to make their point heard and known. He prided himself on being informed by media types like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. In his mind conservative talk radio listeners had turned the proverbial twenty-one years of age, and listeners could now do as they pleased to express their frustration with business as usual in the good old USA!
The school year was underway without incident and Boise turned its attention to the Broncos and hopefully another winning season. They won their first three games in September and lost a close fourth game on a field goal to the MSU Spartins. The next game would be with Brigham Young University which too enjoyed a noteworthy college football history. The game would be sold out and nationally carried on ESPN.
The day before the game, Gene and Mary were having breakfast at home. Gene had slept marginally for three days straight as Saturday was on his mind.
"Dennis and that Knight group have something planned during the football game. Not sure what, but it has me worried."
"Have you talked with anyone about this?"
"Only you. I don't think anyone would believe me."
"I believe you," Mary said as she placed her hand on Gene's forearm.
"Patti and Jeff are coming over to watch the game with us. That still okay?"
"Yeah, I enjoy their company. We can play Uno after the game, that is unless," Gene did not complete his thought.
Abigail had been called at the news desk by someone anonymous on the preceding Thursday. She informed campus security of the call and played a recording to its head admin, Joe Blocker.
"We will be watching Abby. Boise has a nice rep across the country and we don't want it spoiled. Last thing we need is to get bad press like that University in Missouri just did over what," Joe said slapping his desk with the palm of his hand.
"Actually over quite a bit, all related to respect and integrity. By the way Joe, I did tell Idaho Public Radio about this, so it will be watched at the state level," Abby confided.
****
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Saturday game, our first of three on ESPN. Today the BSU Broncos are hosting BYU. Both have great starts to the season, and this promises to be another close scoring cliffhanger," stated the ESPN TV announcer. In the background the BSU band performed and pumped the crowd with frequent repetition of the school fight song.
"I have all of us scheduled to sit in the main section. At the end of quarter #3 we rise and collectively take to the field with our banners," Dennis informed the collective. One fan overheard and did not show an expression of approval or disapproval. The teams appeard and after formalities, the game began. BYU scored first when a completed pass resulted in a 60 yard run by its QB. The extra point was good. BSU tied the game just before the half.
At the beginning of the third quarter, gray clouds dissipated giving way to a very cool and sunny afternoon in the treasure valley. Both teams scored again, and BYU succeeded with a two-point conversion. Thus, the score was fifteen to fourteen after three quarters.
Suddenly, the theme from "Star Wars" played over the PA system and hundreds of spectators left their seats to enter the field. Signs and banners waved calling for the end to fracking. One mistakenly read, end to flipping, waved by a young teenage-looking boy.
ESPN assumed a live news reporting mode and stayed neutral so as not to alarm viewers or encourage others to exercise their personal angst.
"Hey, do you see Dennis, red sweater, waving a banner and smiling widely," Patti said.
"I knew this was going to happen. He is in some group that planned this little demo," Gene said.
"Think anything will come of it," Jeff asked.
Before anyone answered, Joe Blocker took to the podium and gave an unexpected announcement:
"Ladies and gentlemen, it has come to our attention that the progressive group, Post-Moderns For Justice, attempted to ingest harmful chemicals into the University water supply during this game. A reporter from Idaho Public Radio spotted a small collective gathered near the filtration plant and alerted us right away to the planned terrorist effort. We honor the Square Knights for indirectly protecting life, liberty and the continued pursuit of academic excellence!"
A big robust cheer and ovation lasting several minutes was offered by the spectators on both sides of the field. The Square Knights were truly the victors that football Saturday. The Broncos too, shared in the momentum by scoring twice in the final quarter. They won the game over BYU, twenty-seven to fifteen, as the sense of victory was shared by many.
End
First, I would like to wish Holiday Season regards to each of you and thank you for reading our blog as often as you might. Comments are always welcomed, and tell a friend about this little enclave if you think they would be interested.
-Below, is another one of my fictional creative efforts. The story is titled, "Once Was Enough", yours truly, David Russell, the author.
The story is set in Boise, Idaho, and about that town dealing with an incident that nearly got out of hand at the fictional football game between BSU and BYU. Feedback welcomed as comment here, Facebook, or where you can find me.
Once Was Enough
by David Russell
Mary and Gene were embarking on enjoying the carefree golden years of life that they had most assuredly earned. Mary had taught in the Boise school system for 28 years, and Gene had worked at the Idaho Power as a lineman for Ada County for 30 years. They had known each other since high school and married after Mary graduated from BSU in 1983.
On a warm afternoon in August, Gene and Mary were busy at cleaning the garage.
"This is sure one of those thankless tasks in life," Gene observed. He continued,
"It has been two years since this city observed its 150th birthday and I'm still recovering from the
hubbub."
"To think we had to spend last year redoing our lawn from all the assholes who used it as public parking," Mary commented.
"I think it's because the city fathers failed to put boundaries on the celebration. All they could think of were the city coffers."
"Yeah, and the church. They about ruined the grounds treating it like a free-for-all. Glad we raised Abigail to be a respectable citizen," Mary said.
"Well at least we got our home back to normal, painted the exterior, replaced the furnace, and put in new carpet since then," Gene added replacing a box of nails on a higher shelf.
"I'm glad the Feds saw fit to give a sizable grant to help home owners refurb their properties after this shindig," Mary recalled. Mary took a moment to give the garage floor a once-over with the broom.
"Abigail and Dennis are going to meet us for dinner at that eatery by the foothills. Dennis just got promoted in his job at Hewlett Packard," Mary said.
"When are we meeting them?"
"About 5:30."
"We have plenty of time then. Frankly, I could use a little nap after being out here since 10 o'clock," Gene said with a partial yawn.
"Sounds good to me. Let's shower first though."
Abigail and Dennis lived in Meridian which was a nice short drive from Boise. Abigail worked for the public radio station hosting "Morning Edition" five days a week. She also was on staff at the art museum as an event planner. Dennis was in the accounting department at HP, and were a happy double income couple with no children as of yet.
Arriving at the Hamlet Bar and Grill, the two couples chose a corner booth. The grill served good rib-eye steaks and had a varied burger menu. Potato skins were a favorite appetizer on the menu. The crowd was modest for an early Saturday evening.
"It has been quite the week in the news business. It never ceases to amaze me how a major terrorist event like that in Paris can grab front, center and the seeming perimeter of a given news day; I wish I still hosted Morning Classics. At least listeners got a break from all the shit that happens in the world."
"Well they got reminded hourly of all the shit," Dennis quipped.
"Hey you two," Mary quipped.
"Speaking of having life rough, earlier today Gene was complaining about the Boise Birthday bash and how it nearly wrecked him," Mary stated.
"I agreed with you though about the payback we got out of it though. Tell the whole story, honey," Gene said waving his straw at Mary.
"By the way my dear wife, you were the one griping about the church property," Gene stated in defense. Dennis chuckled to feign interest.
Just then a server came over and took their dinner order. Moments later he brought back a basket of potato skins to the foursome. Enjoying the atmosphere and appetizing away,
Dennis said,
"On Monday the Square Knights are having a planning meeting. You want to join us this year,"
"One of these times. Not sure it'll be this time, but we will see."
The Square Knights were numbered a small group of guys whose activities were ultra-conservative in scope. Some felt they made Fox News or the National Review look like leftist media representatives.
"We are planning a big protest deal at the BYU/BSU football game in October. It's all about this hydraulic fracking stuff," Dennis stated.
"Hydraulic fracking? Seems like I read where a town in Pennsylvania had water problems over that," Abigail stated.
"Not just there, other places too. The oil companies want to keep drilling at the well-being of others," Dennis continued.
"Just when did you say this Knights meeting occurs<" Gene inquired?
"The meeting is at 7 on the third floor of the BSU Student Union," Dennis informed.
Moments later the burgers arrived and also an acoustic singer by the name of Claudia Schmidt took to the platform as the evening entertainment. She was still a major folk singer, but had been around since the late 1980s. She appeared well for being truly on the backside of 30.
****
The Square Knights were assembled. Their presiding officer, Rick Horn, called the meeting to order. Close to 25 men were in attendance. Moments later, Gene ambled in choosing a seat in the back row. Dennis noting his appearance gave him a slight wave of recognition.
"First Saturday in October, we are going to make our presence known at the BSU versus BYU football game. We have a number of volunteers from the think tank, BSU, that will sporadically wave banners announcing our position on hydraulic fracking. Then during the fourth quarter it'll all come down. Even ESPN will become a news channel then," Rick stated to the group.
"Are the wildlife and mother earth types going to participate," asked an attendee.
"Yes, word has it about 500 persons will emerge from the stand and enter the field between the third and fourth quarter. It will be a peaceable demonstration, 10 minutes maximum," Rick stated.
"Are we going to sit together or at random," Dennis inquired.
"Nearby one another in the main section of the stadium."
"The Northwest has not seen anythying like this since the KKK days or SDS days, and it's high time to awake from apathy," stated a balding 40-something member from the back, seated near Gene..
Gene scratched his head becoming uncomfortable as the talk continued about the first Saturday in October.
"Joe Blocker head of Campus Security is in our corner. This is opposite terrorism but some will probably be ticked that we interfered with the football game. Better that than hospital bills for ingestion of unhealthy drinking water from the chemical B2," Rick said.
Gene squirmed in his seat noting a banner in front of the room. The statement read,
Roctober, time to be sober.
"Hey Gene, are you going to join us," Dennis inquired turning to face Gene from his seat.
"Um, Mary and I have plans to be out of town that weekend. Maybe next time."
Gene felt pretty good about coming up with a plausible excuse on such quick notice. They generally spent football Saturdays with their friends, Jeff and Patti.
"Will you have explosives and guns there or what," Gene questioned.
A moment of laughter ensued from those attending.
"No, something more subtle but just as efficient. We are not that stupid," Rick answered.
Plans were finalized for the consortium to meet in front of the stadium ninety minutes before game time. Joe Blocker, Security Manager with the University was in approval of the group's awakening and would not block their measures to make their point heard and known. He prided himself on being informed by media types like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. In his mind conservative talk radio listeners had turned the proverbial twenty-one years of age, and listeners could now do as they pleased to express their frustration with business as usual in the good old USA!
The school year was underway without incident and Boise turned its attention to the Broncos and hopefully another winning season. They won their first three games in September and lost a close fourth game on a field goal to the MSU Spartins. The next game would be with Brigham Young University which too enjoyed a noteworthy college football history. The game would be sold out and nationally carried on ESPN.
The day before the game, Gene and Mary were having breakfast at home. Gene had slept marginally for three days straight as Saturday was on his mind.
"Dennis and that Knight group have something planned during the football game. Not sure what, but it has me worried."
"Have you talked with anyone about this?"
"Only you. I don't think anyone would believe me."
"I believe you," Mary said as she placed her hand on Gene's forearm.
"Patti and Jeff are coming over to watch the game with us. That still okay?"
"Yeah, I enjoy their company. We can play Uno after the game, that is unless," Gene did not complete his thought.
Abigail had been called at the news desk by someone anonymous on the preceding Thursday. She informed campus security of the call and played a recording to its head admin, Joe Blocker.
"We will be watching Abby. Boise has a nice rep across the country and we don't want it spoiled. Last thing we need is to get bad press like that University in Missouri just did over what," Joe said slapping his desk with the palm of his hand.
"Actually over quite a bit, all related to respect and integrity. By the way Joe, I did tell Idaho Public Radio about this, so it will be watched at the state level," Abby confided.
****
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Saturday game, our first of three on ESPN. Today the BSU Broncos are hosting BYU. Both have great starts to the season, and this promises to be another close scoring cliffhanger," stated the ESPN TV announcer. In the background the BSU band performed and pumped the crowd with frequent repetition of the school fight song.
"I have all of us scheduled to sit in the main section. At the end of quarter #3 we rise and collectively take to the field with our banners," Dennis informed the collective. One fan overheard and did not show an expression of approval or disapproval. The teams appeard and after formalities, the game began. BYU scored first when a completed pass resulted in a 60 yard run by its QB. The extra point was good. BSU tied the game just before the half.
At the beginning of the third quarter, gray clouds dissipated giving way to a very cool and sunny afternoon in the treasure valley. Both teams scored again, and BYU succeeded with a two-point conversion. Thus, the score was fifteen to fourteen after three quarters.
Suddenly, the theme from "Star Wars" played over the PA system and hundreds of spectators left their seats to enter the field. Signs and banners waved calling for the end to fracking. One mistakenly read, end to flipping, waved by a young teenage-looking boy.
ESPN assumed a live news reporting mode and stayed neutral so as not to alarm viewers or encourage others to exercise their personal angst.
"Hey, do you see Dennis, red sweater, waving a banner and smiling widely," Patti said.
"I knew this was going to happen. He is in some group that planned this little demo," Gene said.
"Think anything will come of it," Jeff asked.
Before anyone answered, Joe Blocker took to the podium and gave an unexpected announcement:
"Ladies and gentlemen, it has come to our attention that the progressive group, Post-Moderns For Justice, attempted to ingest harmful chemicals into the University water supply during this game. A reporter from Idaho Public Radio spotted a small collective gathered near the filtration plant and alerted us right away to the planned terrorist effort. We honor the Square Knights for indirectly protecting life, liberty and the continued pursuit of academic excellence!"
A big robust cheer and ovation lasting several minutes was offered by the spectators on both sides of the field. The Square Knights were truly the victors that football Saturday. The Broncos too, shared in the momentum by scoring twice in the final quarter. They won the game over BYU, twenty-seven to fifteen, as the sense of victory was shared by many.
End
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Honoring Three Million Persons: May Be You!
Hello Grafted In Readers,
Today is November 12 in my corner of blog-land. Windy conditions and isolated flood warnings are to be the mix, with snow flurries possible early weekend in my region. Warming up again though next week!
-Today as author of Grafted In And On The Journey Blogspot.com,
please join me in giving honor to National Epilepsy Awareness Month.
*****
Here are some interesting starter facts:
(1) About three million US residents are said to have the brain disorder, epilepsy.
(2). According to www.scccmh.org, (Saint Clair County Community Mental Health), there are several types of epilepsy.
(3) Each type has its own cause, symptoms, and treatment protocol.
(4) Given the numbers, epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in the US.
-Salute the Epilepsy Foundation and its web site,
www.epilepsy.com
-Frequently updated newsletters and news items. The latter in audio form.
-Host the National Walk for Epilepsy and November's National Epilepsy Awareness month.
-For the aquatic minded, go the distance and find out how to sign up to swim 26 miles over a few months, to raise epilepsy awareness to a deeper level. Link is above.
Sites such as webMD.com, and medicinenet.com offer more detailed info about this disorder.
I am sure we have or have had acquaintances known to be challenged by this disorder. The good news is that it is manageable and in many cases treatable. One approach is offered by Scripture in the Apostolic writings, Colossians 4:6.
"Let your speech always be with grace as though seasoned with salt so that you will know how you should respond to each person."
Meantime, Kevod Yeheveh, His presence guard your mind today and always!
Mellow Roc
Today is November 12 in my corner of blog-land. Windy conditions and isolated flood warnings are to be the mix, with snow flurries possible early weekend in my region. Warming up again though next week!
-Today as author of Grafted In And On The Journey Blogspot.com,
please join me in giving honor to National Epilepsy Awareness Month.
*****
Here are some interesting starter facts:
(1) About three million US residents are said to have the brain disorder, epilepsy.
(2). According to www.scccmh.org, (Saint Clair County Community Mental Health), there are several types of epilepsy.
(3) Each type has its own cause, symptoms, and treatment protocol.
(4) Given the numbers, epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in the US.
-Salute the Epilepsy Foundation and its web site,
www.epilepsy.com
-Frequently updated newsletters and news items. The latter in audio form.
-Host the National Walk for Epilepsy and November's National Epilepsy Awareness month.
-For the aquatic minded, go the distance and find out how to sign up to swim 26 miles over a few months, to raise epilepsy awareness to a deeper level. Link is above.
Sites such as webMD.com, and medicinenet.com offer more detailed info about this disorder.
I am sure we have or have had acquaintances known to be challenged by this disorder. The good news is that it is manageable and in many cases treatable. One approach is offered by Scripture in the Apostolic writings, Colossians 4:6.
"Let your speech always be with grace as though seasoned with salt so that you will know how you should respond to each person."
Meantime, Kevod Yeheveh, His presence guard your mind today and always!
Mellow Roc
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Jack O'Lantern Tells a Humanitarian Tale for the Season
Hello Grafted In Readers,
In keeping with the Fall observance of Thanksgiving in North America, the following story pays tribute to the pumpkin and other garden vegetables many enjoy. Account, places, and characterizations are fictitious, that is, they could occur in reality but may not. Enjoy as you read this tale.
Destined For The Palate
David Russell
My name is Jack O'Lantern. I was born in a laboratory at the Henry Fields Seed Company in Iowa. My conditions were rather sterile. I was dried out and packaged with other seeds.
A little while later, I was at the supermarket near Pharmington, Missouri. John Doyle, whom I understand to be a gardening eficinato purchased me and my companions. We were all O'Lanterns.
"This is the second year I have planted pumpkins, and donate them to the local Woman's Shelter in October. This year they are destined for national TV and the Food Network Hunger Project."
"That's very nice Mr. Doyle," said the clerk, as she bagged his purchase.
"Come back soon, it is always good to see you, sir."
A little while later on a sunny afternoon, Mr. Doyle had the baseball game playing on the radio near the garden. He put in the other plants first: onions, radishes, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, potatos, and us O'Lanterns.
"I will be back out to water you in a couple days," he said.
"Enjoy your new plots and grow faster than weeds please."
He then turned off the radio and whistled a happy tune as implements were returned to the garage.
Six weeks later it was mid July. The days had been sunny for the most part, nights varied from hot to comfortable. My fellow plants and we O'Lanterns shared quiet contemplation while crows cawed, what complainers they are. Robins sang, finches and cardinals played chase around the Doyle property.
Then unexpectedly thunder claps were heard. Rain started to fall that morning and increase with intensity as the hours passed.
Soon, something called hell or hail started to fall. Intermittent at first and then it too, intensified. I took a couple on the stem.
"Ouch, what's this all about?"
"I am glad to be underground," said the potatos.
"Yeah, your shell should protect you Jack," said the corn, knee-high like the fourth of July.
"Radishes are ruined. Carrots are not far behind," observed the potatos.
Looking at the house, hail was pelting and cracking the shingles on the rooftop. Where was Mr. Doyle?
Eventually the hail and storm gradually subsided. We O'Lanterns, and potatos were still alive!
Six weeks later we O'Lanterns were gently picked, packed and sent off to New York to be a part of the Food Network Thanksgiving Festivities. Arriving there, chef Elton Brown tapped me on the stem and bade me welcome.
"Sorry, you've been chopped," Tim Allen stated to a stack of onions he was slicing.
We were on the Thanksgiving TV show, then anesthetized, re-formed and put in pie crusts for hungry palates to enjoy.
End
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence create and fill your being with lasting joy!
Mellow Roc
In keeping with the Fall observance of Thanksgiving in North America, the following story pays tribute to the pumpkin and other garden vegetables many enjoy. Account, places, and characterizations are fictitious, that is, they could occur in reality but may not. Enjoy as you read this tale.
Destined For The Palate
David Russell
My name is Jack O'Lantern. I was born in a laboratory at the Henry Fields Seed Company in Iowa. My conditions were rather sterile. I was dried out and packaged with other seeds.
A little while later, I was at the supermarket near Pharmington, Missouri. John Doyle, whom I understand to be a gardening eficinato purchased me and my companions. We were all O'Lanterns.
"This is the second year I have planted pumpkins, and donate them to the local Woman's Shelter in October. This year they are destined for national TV and the Food Network Hunger Project."
"That's very nice Mr. Doyle," said the clerk, as she bagged his purchase.
"Come back soon, it is always good to see you, sir."
A little while later on a sunny afternoon, Mr. Doyle had the baseball game playing on the radio near the garden. He put in the other plants first: onions, radishes, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, potatos, and us O'Lanterns.
"I will be back out to water you in a couple days," he said.
"Enjoy your new plots and grow faster than weeds please."
He then turned off the radio and whistled a happy tune as implements were returned to the garage.
Six weeks later it was mid July. The days had been sunny for the most part, nights varied from hot to comfortable. My fellow plants and we O'Lanterns shared quiet contemplation while crows cawed, what complainers they are. Robins sang, finches and cardinals played chase around the Doyle property.
Then unexpectedly thunder claps were heard. Rain started to fall that morning and increase with intensity as the hours passed.
Soon, something called hell or hail started to fall. Intermittent at first and then it too, intensified. I took a couple on the stem.
"Ouch, what's this all about?"
"I am glad to be underground," said the potatos.
"Yeah, your shell should protect you Jack," said the corn, knee-high like the fourth of July.
"Radishes are ruined. Carrots are not far behind," observed the potatos.
Looking at the house, hail was pelting and cracking the shingles on the rooftop. Where was Mr. Doyle?
Eventually the hail and storm gradually subsided. We O'Lanterns, and potatos were still alive!
Six weeks later we O'Lanterns were gently picked, packed and sent off to New York to be a part of the Food Network Thanksgiving Festivities. Arriving there, chef Elton Brown tapped me on the stem and bade me welcome.
"Sorry, you've been chopped," Tim Allen stated to a stack of onions he was slicing.
We were on the Thanksgiving TV show, then anesthetized, re-formed and put in pie crusts for hungry palates to enjoy.
End
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence create and fill your being with lasting joy!
Mellow Roc
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Wherever Is Your Heart, (acoustic, Brandi Carlile)
Hello Grafted in Readers, and 24 followers!
Today is the beginning of a new month, October. Historically, it has been a good month for me in terms of life milestones.
-My wife and I had our first phone conversation on October 31, 1995 and made plans to go out for dinner a couple days later. Still having dinner 19 years later, thanks honey!
-My first job post college was a part-time gig playing piano at the former St. Clair Inn. October 1980.
-Just before October 1, 2015, the editor of Thumbprint News informed me my article about the local high school robotic club will be in their November edition! The article titled, "After School Special: Serving Robotics"
features information based on an interview with its overseer, teacher extraordinare, Jon Smith.
-Every year October brings more NFL football, the beginning of hockey season and the post-season playoffs and World Series for Major League Baseball! Love it!
-This week many of faith are observing what is known as the Fall Feast: other names include Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths, Harvest feast. It celebrates God protecting the Children of Israel during the wilderness wandering years that totaled 40, and God protecting us by allowing His Son, Yeshua, to offer His life for our sin; our imperfection treated by Messiah's death, burial, resurrection and now intercession for humanity! Circumstances in life change, but His presence and persona remain the same indefinitely!
It is regretful (my opinion) the main-line Christian church prefers to remain trenched in Roman Catholic dogma and tradition and honor the Pope nearly to the extent observed by Roman Catholic devotees. The liberal inclusivists ignore their Jewish Savior, Jewish heritage, Jewish flavor to the faith journey except to sing O Little Town of Bethlehem on their Christmas Eves. The neo-Catholics paint a picture of first century belief as one that improved once the gentiles were brought on board. At is core this is an anti-Jewish anti-Messianic theology!
Lutherans especially are now into schmoozing with the Catholic administration.... Ironic, they also celebrate the reformation and put their founder, Martin Luther on a pedastole while ignoring other important contemporaries of Martin. So their pastors can have it both ways; weekly communion, Catholic liturgy format, Catholic hymnedy. They will stop short of unifying with the RC or they would have to go through massive divorce. Enjoy your reformation traditions which are now eroded!
I submit to you, the Jesus of the main-line church is considerably different from the Yeshua of Holy Scripture!
Well, that's it for this visit, but glad you stopped by.
Kevod Yeheveh, His Presence accompany and redeem us evermore.
Email this to a friend if you think they may be interested.
Mellow Roc
Today is the beginning of a new month, October. Historically, it has been a good month for me in terms of life milestones.
-My wife and I had our first phone conversation on October 31, 1995 and made plans to go out for dinner a couple days later. Still having dinner 19 years later, thanks honey!
-My first job post college was a part-time gig playing piano at the former St. Clair Inn. October 1980.
-Just before October 1, 2015, the editor of Thumbprint News informed me my article about the local high school robotic club will be in their November edition! The article titled, "After School Special: Serving Robotics"
features information based on an interview with its overseer, teacher extraordinare, Jon Smith.
-Every year October brings more NFL football, the beginning of hockey season and the post-season playoffs and World Series for Major League Baseball! Love it!
-This week many of faith are observing what is known as the Fall Feast: other names include Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths, Harvest feast. It celebrates God protecting the Children of Israel during the wilderness wandering years that totaled 40, and God protecting us by allowing His Son, Yeshua, to offer His life for our sin; our imperfection treated by Messiah's death, burial, resurrection and now intercession for humanity! Circumstances in life change, but His presence and persona remain the same indefinitely!
It is regretful (my opinion) the main-line Christian church prefers to remain trenched in Roman Catholic dogma and tradition and honor the Pope nearly to the extent observed by Roman Catholic devotees. The liberal inclusivists ignore their Jewish Savior, Jewish heritage, Jewish flavor to the faith journey except to sing O Little Town of Bethlehem on their Christmas Eves. The neo-Catholics paint a picture of first century belief as one that improved once the gentiles were brought on board. At is core this is an anti-Jewish anti-Messianic theology!
Lutherans especially are now into schmoozing with the Catholic administration.... Ironic, they also celebrate the reformation and put their founder, Martin Luther on a pedastole while ignoring other important contemporaries of Martin. So their pastors can have it both ways; weekly communion, Catholic liturgy format, Catholic hymnedy. They will stop short of unifying with the RC or they would have to go through massive divorce. Enjoy your reformation traditions which are now eroded!
I submit to you, the Jesus of the main-line church is considerably different from the Yeshua of Holy Scripture!
Well, that's it for this visit, but glad you stopped by.
Kevod Yeheveh, His Presence accompany and redeem us evermore.
Email this to a friend if you think they may be interested.
Mellow Roc
Monday, September 14, 2015
From The Reeds (adapted from the book of Exodus, David Russell)
Hello Grafted In Reader,
Today is September 14 in my corner of blog land. Last week, my wife and I celebrated 19 years of marriage and enjoyed time away from town and routine.
Today, I wish to share one of my stories with you which is based on the life of Moshe, Moses, Biblical character.
This is a very broad overview of his life. The phrase, Fear not, be not dismayed, surely applies to all persons of faith, and is quite pronounced in this historic leader's life.
Please enjoy, comment if you wish and share with friends.
From The Reeds
by David Russell
"Moshe, hush little one don't you cry;
someone will come along by and by
give you the life that I cannot
Hush little Moshe you won't be forgot," His mother with tear-stained eyes and perspiring said those words as she settled her 4-year-old son in a basket in a thicket of weeds near the Nile River. Her life had been hard, and her husband had left her shortly after Moshe was born. She turned away slowly and walked back toward the hut where she lived with two other slave girls. The accommodations were very basic, but the hurt in her heart would decorate much of her life until the end of her days, and she would go home to her fathers in peace.
A little while later, two women were escorting the King's daughter to the river. They were going to pick some flowers for a ball being held in the honor of the King that evening in the palace prominade.
"Do you hear that? It sounds like an abandoned child. Who on God's green earth would have the nerve?" Said King Pharaoh's daughter.
"Do you want us to do something with him," asked one of the escorts.
Silence pervaded for a moment as the three considered the scene. Then Pharaoh's daughter urged,
"Let's pick the flowers and if no one comes by time we leave, I will take him as my son," She informed.
One of the escorts stayed with the small child while the other two women picked an array of flowers for the palacial event. The sun was bright, and it was a rather warm day in the middle East. Moshe was covered with leaves, and wore a light shirt and shorts obviously homemade.
Speaking soft words, Pharaoh's daughter bent down and spent a few minutes with the child. She told him he would have a new home, and his life would be next to that of a king.
"Let us put the child in the cart and we will all go back the three km to the palace. He will enjoy the ride, and we will enjoy the walk and him as well.
Arriving back to the palace, and making a quick bedroom for him, Pharaoh's daughter then took Moshe to meet her father.
"Dad, I was at the Nile with the servant girls. We found this small child in a basket, adequately cared for, and decided to adopt him as my son.
'Do you have any idea of his age," her father asked.
"I would estimate at least 3-years-old," she said.
"His features look Hebrew, but semitic enough to meld into Egyptian life," He observed.
"It will be your responsibility to see that he is raised properly. I will participate on occasion as well."
"Thank you O Dad and King, may you live long," She expressed with tears and a wide smile.
As the child grew in years and stature, Geberu, Iku, and Harah, were educated servants who spent time schooling the lad in a variety of subjects pertinent to Egyptian culture and society. The king would occasionally engage him in hunting or playing games to further exercise mental capabilities. In time he had a significant role at the palace.
"Moshe, I want you to lead my people out of slavery," Said the Divine voice.
"I am slow of speech and lack leadership abilities. Find someone else," Moshe replied.
"Pick up that bush and watch me turn it into a snake,"
"Now pick up that bush again and watch me change its form again."
"I had you do this to show you my presence will be with you. Your leadership will be known through all generations to come," Informed the Divine voice.
It took several visits to the king to get permission granted to release the thousands of people so they could go find freedom. Eventually the day arrived, and they spent forty years as nomads in the wild.
Nearing the end of his life, Moshe spoke to the second generation of nomads who would enter the promised land.
"I have come from the reeds. I was raised in the Egyptian palace. God has protected me and us all these many years. See to it that you recognize choices made in life for good and obedience will grant peace to your being. My life is nearly over. Yours has just begun."
###
Mellow Roc
David Russell
Today is September 14 in my corner of blog land. Last week, my wife and I celebrated 19 years of marriage and enjoyed time away from town and routine.
Today, I wish to share one of my stories with you which is based on the life of Moshe, Moses, Biblical character.
This is a very broad overview of his life. The phrase, Fear not, be not dismayed, surely applies to all persons of faith, and is quite pronounced in this historic leader's life.
Please enjoy, comment if you wish and share with friends.
From The Reeds
by David Russell
"Moshe, hush little one don't you cry;
someone will come along by and by
give you the life that I cannot
Hush little Moshe you won't be forgot," His mother with tear-stained eyes and perspiring said those words as she settled her 4-year-old son in a basket in a thicket of weeds near the Nile River. Her life had been hard, and her husband had left her shortly after Moshe was born. She turned away slowly and walked back toward the hut where she lived with two other slave girls. The accommodations were very basic, but the hurt in her heart would decorate much of her life until the end of her days, and she would go home to her fathers in peace.
A little while later, two women were escorting the King's daughter to the river. They were going to pick some flowers for a ball being held in the honor of the King that evening in the palace prominade.
"Do you hear that? It sounds like an abandoned child. Who on God's green earth would have the nerve?" Said King Pharaoh's daughter.
"Do you want us to do something with him," asked one of the escorts.
Silence pervaded for a moment as the three considered the scene. Then Pharaoh's daughter urged,
"Let's pick the flowers and if no one comes by time we leave, I will take him as my son," She informed.
One of the escorts stayed with the small child while the other two women picked an array of flowers for the palacial event. The sun was bright, and it was a rather warm day in the middle East. Moshe was covered with leaves, and wore a light shirt and shorts obviously homemade.
Speaking soft words, Pharaoh's daughter bent down and spent a few minutes with the child. She told him he would have a new home, and his life would be next to that of a king.
"Let us put the child in the cart and we will all go back the three km to the palace. He will enjoy the ride, and we will enjoy the walk and him as well.
Arriving back to the palace, and making a quick bedroom for him, Pharaoh's daughter then took Moshe to meet her father.
"Dad, I was at the Nile with the servant girls. We found this small child in a basket, adequately cared for, and decided to adopt him as my son.
'Do you have any idea of his age," her father asked.
"I would estimate at least 3-years-old," she said.
"His features look Hebrew, but semitic enough to meld into Egyptian life," He observed.
"It will be your responsibility to see that he is raised properly. I will participate on occasion as well."
"Thank you O Dad and King, may you live long," She expressed with tears and a wide smile.
As the child grew in years and stature, Geberu, Iku, and Harah, were educated servants who spent time schooling the lad in a variety of subjects pertinent to Egyptian culture and society. The king would occasionally engage him in hunting or playing games to further exercise mental capabilities. In time he had a significant role at the palace.
"Moshe, I want you to lead my people out of slavery," Said the Divine voice.
"I am slow of speech and lack leadership abilities. Find someone else," Moshe replied.
"Pick up that bush and watch me turn it into a snake,"
"Now pick up that bush again and watch me change its form again."
"I had you do this to show you my presence will be with you. Your leadership will be known through all generations to come," Informed the Divine voice.
It took several visits to the king to get permission granted to release the thousands of people so they could go find freedom. Eventually the day arrived, and they spent forty years as nomads in the wild.
Nearing the end of his life, Moshe spoke to the second generation of nomads who would enter the promised land.
"I have come from the reeds. I was raised in the Egyptian palace. God has protected me and us all these many years. See to it that you recognize choices made in life for good and obedience will grant peace to your being. My life is nearly over. Yours has just begun."
###
Mellow Roc
David Russell
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Article from the Zola Levitt Newsletter (recommended reading if serious Bible Student)
Hello Grafted in Reader,
I am taking the liberties to post an article from Zola Levitt Ministry which I hope you may pass on to serious students of the Bible. The topic deals with correct names for places in the Holy Land, and how history has distorted this action. Given the political climate today, it is even more pertinent that the following be shared.
Thank you.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.56100c81297724e06acf94c7d4b00921.html
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.56100c81297724e06acf94c7d4b00921.html
Zola Levitt Ministries
Christianity Through Jewish Eyes
LEVITT LETTER
Essays
Palestine vs. Israel as the Name of the Holy Land
Dr. Thomas McCall
by Thomas S. McCall, Th.D.
Dr. Thomas McCall, the Senior Theologian of our ministry, has written many articles for the Levitt Letter. He holds a Th.M. in Old Testament studies and a Th.D. in Semitic languages and Old Testament. He has served as Zola’s co-author, mentor, pastor, and friend for nearly 30 years.
This article appeared originally in the December 1997 Levitt Letter.
Page Contents
◾ Propaganda Use
◾ Biblical Use
◾ History of the Term
◾ Christian Adoption
◾ Proper Designation
During the last few centuries, the world, Christians included, has fallen into a bad habit. We have bought into some early Roman propaganda. We have used the name Palestine, which Roman Emperor Hadrian placed on the country of Israel in 135 A.D., for so long that it has become common usage. This would be as incorrect as calling the Russia of today the “Soviet Union” or referring to Berlin as “East Germany.” The thoughts below by our ministry’s senior theologian, Dr. Thomas S. McCall, completely explore the subject. If you know somebody who’s fallen into this habit, please share this article with them.
— Zola
Current Propaganda’s Use of Palestine
There is a propaganda war going on now with regard to the term “Palestine.” At one time it might have been argued that Palestine was an innocuous designation of the Middle Eastern area, that is generally thought of as the Holy Land. During the last few decades, however, the term Palestine has been adopted by Arabs living in Israel in the area west of the Jordan River. It is specifically employed to avoid the use of the name Israel, and must be considered an anti-Israel term. In all Arab maps published in Jordan, Egypt, etc., the area west of the Jordan River is called Palestine, without any reference to Israel. Palestine is the term now used by those who want to deny the legitimate existence of Israel as a genuine nation among the family of nations.
The term now adopted by the political entity within Israel that is gradually obtaining more and more pockets of territory through the “peace process,” is “the PA (Palestinian Authority). Although it must deal daily with Israeli officials, the PA hates to use the term Israel in any of its communications.
Palestine, therefore, must now be considered a political propaganda term with massive anti-Israel implications. Biblical Use of Palestine
The term Palestine is rarely used in the Old Testament, and when it is, it refers specifically to the southwestern coastal area of Israel occupied by the Philistines. It is a translation of the Hebrew word “Pelesheth.” The term is never used to refer to the whole land occupied by Israel. Before Israel occupied the land, it would be generally accurate to say that the southwestern coastal area was called Philistia (the Way of the Philistines, or Palestine), while the central highlands were called Canaan. Both the Canaanites and the Philistines had disappeared as distinct peoples at least by the time of the Babylonian Captivity of Judea (586 B.C.), and they no longer exist.
In the New Testament, the term Palestine is never used. The term Israel is primarily used to refer to the people of Israel, rather than the Land. However, in at least two passages, Israel is used to refer to the Land:
Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead who sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. (Matt. 2:20-21)
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say to you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man shall have come. (Matt. 10:23)
The first passage is when Joseph, Mary and Jesus returned from Egypt to Israel, and the second has reference to the proclamation of the Gospel throughout the Land of Israel. Jesus, Matthew and the angel speaking to Joseph use the term Israel with reference to the Land, even though the term was not then recognized by the Roman authorities.
It was not until the Romans crushed the second Jewish revolt against Rome in 135 A.D. under Bar Kochba that Emperor Hadrian applied the term Palestine to the Land of Israel. Hadrian, like many dictators since his time realized the propaganda power of terms and symbols. He replaced the shrines of the Jewish Temple and the Sepulchre of Christ in Jerusalem with temples to pagan deities. He changed the name of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitalina, and changed the name of Israel and Judea to Palestine. Hadrian’s selection of Palestine was purposeful, not accidental. He took the name of the ancient enemies of Israel, the Philistines, Latinized it to Palestine, and applied it to the Land of Israel. He hoped to erase the name Israel from all memory. Thus, the term Palestine as applied to the Land of Israel was invented by the inveterate enemy of the Bible and the Jewish people, Emperor Hadrian.
One of the first Christian uses of the term Palestine is found in the works of the Church historian Eusebius, who lived in Caesarea. He wrote around 300 A.D., as the Roman persecution of Christians was ending and the Emperor Constantine began to accept Christianity as legal. Eusebius did not accept Hadrian’s designation of Jerusalem as Aelia Capitalina, but he did use Hadrian’s term Palestine. Eusebius considered himself to be one of the bishops of Palestine. Thus, the anti-Israel, anti-Christian name of Palestine was assimilated into the Church’s vocabulary as the Byzantine Empire was being established.
The Church has, since that time, broadly used the term Palestine in literature and in maps to refer to the Land of Israel. It should be noted, however, that the Crusaders called their land the Kingdom of Jerusalem. When the British received the mandate after World War I, though, they called the land on both sides of the Jordan River, Palestine. This became the accepted geo-political term for several decades, and those who lived in the land were called Palestinians, whether they were Jews, Arabs or Europeans.
Even evangelical Christians who believe in the future of Israel have used the term Palestine. The New Scofield Reference Edition of the Bible has maps in the back entitled “Palestine under the Herods.” There never was a Palestine under the Herods. This is a serious misidentification. It would be something like looking at a modern map of Texas and having it titled “Mexico in the Twentieth Century.”
Proper Designation of the Land
The use of the term Palestine was biblically inaccurate and wrong throughout the Church age. However, it is more than just wrong, it is devastating in our time, when the term Palestine is the cornerstone of the propaganda war against Israel and the Jewish people. Do we want to use terms invented by those who hate Christ, the Bible and Israel? Do we want to utilize terms used by the enemies of Israel who desire to accomplish nothing less than the destruction of the Jewish people? I think not.
Christians should use the terminology of the Bible wherever possible. Why not go back to the terms used in the New Testament? The Gospel writers used the term Israel to refer to the Land. Why should we use any other term when referring to the Land, especially now that the Jews are back in the Land and have re-established the nation of Israel among the family of nations?
As we draw closer to the Second Coming of Christ, we should understand that Satan’s fury against the Church and Israel will grow exponentially. Satan hates the Gospel of the crucified and risen Messiah, and he hates the reality of the restoration of Israel as the nation that will ultimately receive Jesus as the Messiah at His return, and the nation that will be Christ’s earthly headquarters. The only term we should use for the Land is Israel, or its subdivisions of Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. We should make every effort to remove the term Palestine from our Bible maps and textbooks, and use only biblical terms with reference to the Holy Land of Israel.
Copyright © 1997 Zola Levitt Ministries, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All rights reserved. Brief passages may be quoted in reviews or other article. For all other use, please get our written approval.
Thank you for reading this excerpted article.
Mellow Roc
I am taking the liberties to post an article from Zola Levitt Ministry which I hope you may pass on to serious students of the Bible. The topic deals with correct names for places in the Holy Land, and how history has distorted this action. Given the political climate today, it is even more pertinent that the following be shared.
Thank you.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.56100c81297724e06acf94c7d4b00921.html
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.56100c81297724e06acf94c7d4b00921.html
Zola Levitt Ministries
Christianity Through Jewish Eyes
LEVITT LETTER
Essays
Palestine vs. Israel as the Name of the Holy Land
Dr. Thomas McCall
by Thomas S. McCall, Th.D.
Dr. Thomas McCall, the Senior Theologian of our ministry, has written many articles for the Levitt Letter. He holds a Th.M. in Old Testament studies and a Th.D. in Semitic languages and Old Testament. He has served as Zola’s co-author, mentor, pastor, and friend for nearly 30 years.
This article appeared originally in the December 1997 Levitt Letter.
Page Contents
◾ Propaganda Use
◾ Biblical Use
◾ History of the Term
◾ Christian Adoption
◾ Proper Designation
During the last few centuries, the world, Christians included, has fallen into a bad habit. We have bought into some early Roman propaganda. We have used the name Palestine, which Roman Emperor Hadrian placed on the country of Israel in 135 A.D., for so long that it has become common usage. This would be as incorrect as calling the Russia of today the “Soviet Union” or referring to Berlin as “East Germany.” The thoughts below by our ministry’s senior theologian, Dr. Thomas S. McCall, completely explore the subject. If you know somebody who’s fallen into this habit, please share this article with them.
— Zola
Current Propaganda’s Use of Palestine
There is a propaganda war going on now with regard to the term “Palestine.” At one time it might have been argued that Palestine was an innocuous designation of the Middle Eastern area, that is generally thought of as the Holy Land. During the last few decades, however, the term Palestine has been adopted by Arabs living in Israel in the area west of the Jordan River. It is specifically employed to avoid the use of the name Israel, and must be considered an anti-Israel term. In all Arab maps published in Jordan, Egypt, etc., the area west of the Jordan River is called Palestine, without any reference to Israel. Palestine is the term now used by those who want to deny the legitimate existence of Israel as a genuine nation among the family of nations.
The term now adopted by the political entity within Israel that is gradually obtaining more and more pockets of territory through the “peace process,” is “the PA (Palestinian Authority). Although it must deal daily with Israeli officials, the PA hates to use the term Israel in any of its communications.
Palestine, therefore, must now be considered a political propaganda term with massive anti-Israel implications. Biblical Use of Palestine
The term Palestine is rarely used in the Old Testament, and when it is, it refers specifically to the southwestern coastal area of Israel occupied by the Philistines. It is a translation of the Hebrew word “Pelesheth.” The term is never used to refer to the whole land occupied by Israel. Before Israel occupied the land, it would be generally accurate to say that the southwestern coastal area was called Philistia (the Way of the Philistines, or Palestine), while the central highlands were called Canaan. Both the Canaanites and the Philistines had disappeared as distinct peoples at least by the time of the Babylonian Captivity of Judea (586 B.C.), and they no longer exist.
In the New Testament, the term Palestine is never used. The term Israel is primarily used to refer to the people of Israel, rather than the Land. However, in at least two passages, Israel is used to refer to the Land:
Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead who sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. (Matt. 2:20-21)
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say to you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man shall have come. (Matt. 10:23)
The first passage is when Joseph, Mary and Jesus returned from Egypt to Israel, and the second has reference to the proclamation of the Gospel throughout the Land of Israel. Jesus, Matthew and the angel speaking to Joseph use the term Israel with reference to the Land, even though the term was not then recognized by the Roman authorities.
It was not until the Romans crushed the second Jewish revolt against Rome in 135 A.D. under Bar Kochba that Emperor Hadrian applied the term Palestine to the Land of Israel. Hadrian, like many dictators since his time realized the propaganda power of terms and symbols. He replaced the shrines of the Jewish Temple and the Sepulchre of Christ in Jerusalem with temples to pagan deities. He changed the name of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitalina, and changed the name of Israel and Judea to Palestine. Hadrian’s selection of Palestine was purposeful, not accidental. He took the name of the ancient enemies of Israel, the Philistines, Latinized it to Palestine, and applied it to the Land of Israel. He hoped to erase the name Israel from all memory. Thus, the term Palestine as applied to the Land of Israel was invented by the inveterate enemy of the Bible and the Jewish people, Emperor Hadrian.
One of the first Christian uses of the term Palestine is found in the works of the Church historian Eusebius, who lived in Caesarea. He wrote around 300 A.D., as the Roman persecution of Christians was ending and the Emperor Constantine began to accept Christianity as legal. Eusebius did not accept Hadrian’s designation of Jerusalem as Aelia Capitalina, but he did use Hadrian’s term Palestine. Eusebius considered himself to be one of the bishops of Palestine. Thus, the anti-Israel, anti-Christian name of Palestine was assimilated into the Church’s vocabulary as the Byzantine Empire was being established.
The Church has, since that time, broadly used the term Palestine in literature and in maps to refer to the Land of Israel. It should be noted, however, that the Crusaders called their land the Kingdom of Jerusalem. When the British received the mandate after World War I, though, they called the land on both sides of the Jordan River, Palestine. This became the accepted geo-political term for several decades, and those who lived in the land were called Palestinians, whether they were Jews, Arabs or Europeans.
Even evangelical Christians who believe in the future of Israel have used the term Palestine. The New Scofield Reference Edition of the Bible has maps in the back entitled “Palestine under the Herods.” There never was a Palestine under the Herods. This is a serious misidentification. It would be something like looking at a modern map of Texas and having it titled “Mexico in the Twentieth Century.”
Proper Designation of the Land
The use of the term Palestine was biblically inaccurate and wrong throughout the Church age. However, it is more than just wrong, it is devastating in our time, when the term Palestine is the cornerstone of the propaganda war against Israel and the Jewish people. Do we want to use terms invented by those who hate Christ, the Bible and Israel? Do we want to utilize terms used by the enemies of Israel who desire to accomplish nothing less than the destruction of the Jewish people? I think not.
Christians should use the terminology of the Bible wherever possible. Why not go back to the terms used in the New Testament? The Gospel writers used the term Israel to refer to the Land. Why should we use any other term when referring to the Land, especially now that the Jews are back in the Land and have re-established the nation of Israel among the family of nations?
As we draw closer to the Second Coming of Christ, we should understand that Satan’s fury against the Church and Israel will grow exponentially. Satan hates the Gospel of the crucified and risen Messiah, and he hates the reality of the restoration of Israel as the nation that will ultimately receive Jesus as the Messiah at His return, and the nation that will be Christ’s earthly headquarters. The only term we should use for the Land is Israel, or its subdivisions of Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. We should make every effort to remove the term Palestine from our Bible maps and textbooks, and use only biblical terms with reference to the Holy Land of Israel.
Copyright © 1997 Zola Levitt Ministries, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All rights reserved. Brief passages may be quoted in reviews or other article. For all other use, please get our written approval.
Thank you for reading this excerpted article.
Mellow Roc
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Re-post: The Laconic Nap by David Russell
Hello Grafted in Reader!
Today is July 28 and hope you are finding yourself to be noting your freedom, forgiveness, for the fandanglement you may have gotten yourself in or perhaps not; only you and Messiah know.. Bless the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sin of the world!
I am re-posting a story- "The Laconic Nap" (David Russell) that remains here from over a year ago. It is still relevant today. You and I may be the ones who give the story, the word, the smile, the song, the time, the prayer, the thought, the listening ear, the hand, the facial expression, and it leaves a lasting effect on a known or unknown someone. Hallelujah! Enjoy "The Laconic Nap" once again.
The Laconic Nap
by David Russell
March Gold
"Nap, you sure did a good job on finishing the tables in the Oak Dining room. We will keep you around here for a long time," Encouraged Mrs. OShea who managed the Dylan Hotel in Dublin City.
"Thank you mam, my pleasure. I am going to relax now and catch some rugby games on TV," He informed her.
A few hours later, mid afternoon, Nap got on the bus to go to a local art gallery where he liked to gaze at the exhibits and watch the people. On arrival, he saw a 15-year-old girl crying with tears streaming down her face.
"The jerk broke up with me. What a bastard. I gave him plenty and he broke up with me,"
"Miss, I have something for you that might not cure your disappointment but it will help some time. My name is Nap, here, take this," as he handed her a sample of Gold Bond Lotion.
"It has been providing healing since 1908."
Smiling slightly she thanked Nap for his gift. They both parted company and went about their business.
Four days later, Nap was watching a group of youngsters play basketball at the local school yard. Suddenly, a tall lad turned away from the group as he landed on his foot the wrong way possibly twisting his ankle.
"Here Lad, my name is Nap. Take this warm cream home and apply it to your foot tonight." Somewhat baffled the lad took the cream thanking the laconic man.
-The next Sunday Nap went to a church service he liked to attend. He sat next to a family who were seemingly quite close and sang out when the congregation engaged in song. At the end of the service, they invited him to lunch at Ryans, a victorian pub on Parkgate Street. Talking over stew about their interests, they discovered all lived in the colonial town of Burma at one time. As they departed, he gave each a tube of Gold Bond Lotion to remember their time together.
"Listen here you old geezer. Hand over your wallet, or you're a dead man," the thug said to Nap as he held the knife to his back.
"I don't have a wallet. I have something that has ....
Suddenly the thug shoved the knife into Nap's back and he cried out in pain. Falling to the Dublin street, blood began to ooze from his mid back coarsing down and staining his clothes. A crowd gathered and the thug was soon apprehended by the police.
Dateline Dublin Monday
The Laconic Man known to many as Nap was struck down last evening on a Dublin street by thugs. He was stabbed multiple times in the back, and pronounced DOA when taken to the local city hospital. Nap had no immediate family, but the city were his family as he handed out samples of Gold Bond Lotion to any whom seemed to need it.
"Mr. Nap saved me from committing suicide, one teenager told the newspaper. She had gone through a break-up and outside the art gallery Nap had given her a tube of Gold Bond.
The family he dined with came to his funeral and paid the expenses for him to have a decent burial.
The Gold Bond company during March would consider putting his image on their tubes as a memorial to his humanitarianism.
Nap, otherwise known to a select few as Napoleon did not conquer his world but was active in it helping others conquer what may have been vexing them and or causing them to feel frenzied.
Today is July 28 and hope you are finding yourself to be noting your freedom, forgiveness, for the fandanglement you may have gotten yourself in or perhaps not; only you and Messiah know.. Bless the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sin of the world!
I am re-posting a story- "The Laconic Nap" (David Russell) that remains here from over a year ago. It is still relevant today. You and I may be the ones who give the story, the word, the smile, the song, the time, the prayer, the thought, the listening ear, the hand, the facial expression, and it leaves a lasting effect on a known or unknown someone. Hallelujah! Enjoy "The Laconic Nap" once again.
The Laconic Nap
by David Russell
March Gold
"Nap, you sure did a good job on finishing the tables in the Oak Dining room. We will keep you around here for a long time," Encouraged Mrs. OShea who managed the Dylan Hotel in Dublin City.
"Thank you mam, my pleasure. I am going to relax now and catch some rugby games on TV," He informed her.
A few hours later, mid afternoon, Nap got on the bus to go to a local art gallery where he liked to gaze at the exhibits and watch the people. On arrival, he saw a 15-year-old girl crying with tears streaming down her face.
"The jerk broke up with me. What a bastard. I gave him plenty and he broke up with me,"
"Miss, I have something for you that might not cure your disappointment but it will help some time. My name is Nap, here, take this," as he handed her a sample of Gold Bond Lotion.
"It has been providing healing since 1908."
Smiling slightly she thanked Nap for his gift. They both parted company and went about their business.
Four days later, Nap was watching a group of youngsters play basketball at the local school yard. Suddenly, a tall lad turned away from the group as he landed on his foot the wrong way possibly twisting his ankle.
"Here Lad, my name is Nap. Take this warm cream home and apply it to your foot tonight." Somewhat baffled the lad took the cream thanking the laconic man.
-The next Sunday Nap went to a church service he liked to attend. He sat next to a family who were seemingly quite close and sang out when the congregation engaged in song. At the end of the service, they invited him to lunch at Ryans, a victorian pub on Parkgate Street. Talking over stew about their interests, they discovered all lived in the colonial town of Burma at one time. As they departed, he gave each a tube of Gold Bond Lotion to remember their time together.
"Listen here you old geezer. Hand over your wallet, or you're a dead man," the thug said to Nap as he held the knife to his back.
"I don't have a wallet. I have something that has ....
Suddenly the thug shoved the knife into Nap's back and he cried out in pain. Falling to the Dublin street, blood began to ooze from his mid back coarsing down and staining his clothes. A crowd gathered and the thug was soon apprehended by the police.
Dateline Dublin Monday
The Laconic Man known to many as Nap was struck down last evening on a Dublin street by thugs. He was stabbed multiple times in the back, and pronounced DOA when taken to the local city hospital. Nap had no immediate family, but the city were his family as he handed out samples of Gold Bond Lotion to any whom seemed to need it.
"Mr. Nap saved me from committing suicide, one teenager told the newspaper. She had gone through a break-up and outside the art gallery Nap had given her a tube of Gold Bond.
The family he dined with came to his funeral and paid the expenses for him to have a decent burial.
The Gold Bond company during March would consider putting his image on their tubes as a memorial to his humanitarianism.
Nap, otherwise known to a select few as Napoleon did not conquer his world but was active in it helping others conquer what may have been vexing them and or causing them to feel frenzied.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Sons of Korah (Australian Acoustic Psalms)
Hello Grafted In Readers,
For those living in North America, I hope your celebrations of independence and freedom were each meaningful and enriching. I personally came away from them feeling renewed, and ready to let my life reflect that the Messiah is alive, strong, serious about us being His ambassage, children, servants, and yes even soldiers. A story group to which I belong has "patriotism" as its theme this month. I am hoping to craft a short story about being in the GASF, God's Allied Special Forces. (See Ephesians chapter 6, Apostolic Scriptures for background).
-For reading pleasure, I began "Grammar for Grownups" a 1993 publication but still pertinent and not too dry. Recommend, if you can find it.
-I titled this post after someone made me aware of an Australian acoustic group who has a set of musical material based on the Psalms. They are called "Sons of Korah" from Australia, and one can sample their music on YouTube. I listened to their rendering of Psalm 91, and think it is simply wonderful! Lengthy, yes. A gentle reminder, God is in no hurry with us....
Later this month, taking a few days to get away from the routine and visit family in another state. Geographically that is.. Also, applying for new freelance opportunities, and ask your thoughts and prayers toward that end.
Until next visit, Kevod Yeheveh, His presence keep you walking ever forward with purpose!
Mellow Roc
For those living in North America, I hope your celebrations of independence and freedom were each meaningful and enriching. I personally came away from them feeling renewed, and ready to let my life reflect that the Messiah is alive, strong, serious about us being His ambassage, children, servants, and yes even soldiers. A story group to which I belong has "patriotism" as its theme this month. I am hoping to craft a short story about being in the GASF, God's Allied Special Forces. (See Ephesians chapter 6, Apostolic Scriptures for background).
-For reading pleasure, I began "Grammar for Grownups" a 1993 publication but still pertinent and not too dry. Recommend, if you can find it.
-I titled this post after someone made me aware of an Australian acoustic group who has a set of musical material based on the Psalms. They are called "Sons of Korah" from Australia, and one can sample their music on YouTube. I listened to their rendering of Psalm 91, and think it is simply wonderful! Lengthy, yes. A gentle reminder, God is in no hurry with us....
Later this month, taking a few days to get away from the routine and visit family in another state. Geographically that is.. Also, applying for new freelance opportunities, and ask your thoughts and prayers toward that end.
Until next visit, Kevod Yeheveh, His presence keep you walking ever forward with purpose!
Mellow Roc
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Alternative Online Radio Listening and Update
Hello Grafted in Readers,
Today is July 2, 2015 in my corner of blogland and rather warm and mild, just like summer should be in my opinion. A few weeks ago I was looking at the blog stats, and rather surprised to see I have had some international readers, quite a few from Germany since I began this effort 5-6 years ago. As some of you know, I am a musician by avocation, writer of content articles and short stories, and this morning wrote about an ancient form of holistic medicine called Ayurvedic medicine. This is similar to traditional Chinese medicine, but that led me on a quest to find alternative music. I chose new-age music and discovered
www.trancemission.fm
from Freiberg, Germany, and another station based in Brussells, Belgium. I listened to each for about 30 minutes and then decided it was time to come back to the day at hand and proceed with the "to-do list". I enjoyed the listening experience, thanks to both Germany and Belgium for treating us to listening pleasure on the web.
For those living in the USA and or North America: belated Happy Canada Day, and Happy Independence Day to USA folks. We thank God for our freedom and are no longer slaves to sin thanks to our Messiah!
Thank you for reading, and would welcome comments anytime.
Alternatively, I will be listening to:
www.wfmt.com for classical or folk music.
www.acousticity.com for folk or blue-grass music.
-chavah messianic radio for Spiritual uplift through Jewish-Christian artistry.
-Of course regular radio for Tiger Baseball and soon Lion Football.
His Presence surround us on the journey, Kevod Yeheveh.
Mellow Roc
Today is July 2, 2015 in my corner of blogland and rather warm and mild, just like summer should be in my opinion. A few weeks ago I was looking at the blog stats, and rather surprised to see I have had some international readers, quite a few from Germany since I began this effort 5-6 years ago. As some of you know, I am a musician by avocation, writer of content articles and short stories, and this morning wrote about an ancient form of holistic medicine called Ayurvedic medicine. This is similar to traditional Chinese medicine, but that led me on a quest to find alternative music. I chose new-age music and discovered
www.trancemission.fm
from Freiberg, Germany, and another station based in Brussells, Belgium. I listened to each for about 30 minutes and then decided it was time to come back to the day at hand and proceed with the "to-do list". I enjoyed the listening experience, thanks to both Germany and Belgium for treating us to listening pleasure on the web.
For those living in the USA and or North America: belated Happy Canada Day, and Happy Independence Day to USA folks. We thank God for our freedom and are no longer slaves to sin thanks to our Messiah!
Thank you for reading, and would welcome comments anytime.
Alternatively, I will be listening to:
www.wfmt.com for classical or folk music.
www.acousticity.com for folk or blue-grass music.
-chavah messianic radio for Spiritual uplift through Jewish-Christian artistry.
-Of course regular radio for Tiger Baseball and soon Lion Football.
His Presence surround us on the journey, Kevod Yeheveh.
Mellow Roc
Friday, May 29, 2015
Bonus - Short Story
BONUS
Hello Grafted In Reader,
I wanted to share one of my recently written short stories with you. Comments are very welcomed if so inclined!
**
Up In The Air
David Russell
At the outset, it could be said that one’s bad hair day may be someone else’s good hair day, or so it was for ReyAnn.
It was a blustery March Thursday in metro Minneapolis and the weekend was going to be extraordinary. ReyAnn had been dating Scott for 11 months and 29 days, and he was flying her to sunny Phoenix, Arizona for the weekend. He was a sports journalist and had tickets for them to see the Phoenix Suns play the Minnesota TimberWolves. Unbeknownst to her, at intermission he was going to propose marriage.
***
Thursday morning at the Sports Desk, Scott took a coffeebreak with his colleagues Ted Grey and Bob Hill. He had monitored the daily columnists who always had plenty of advice to give for professional teams. Somehow, the human factor always got minimized, and the perfection quotient over-stated.
“Hey Scotty, any chance of reconsidering,” Bob quipped.
“Reconsidering what?”
“We think you know,” Ted mused.
“I think reconsider popping the question,” Ted urged.
“Oh, that matter. Well guys, heck no. I met a wonderful woman from the Midwest and, well, never gonna let her go,” Scott confided.
“He has it bad – doesn’t he,” Bob observed.
“Can we get on with something else,” Scott inquired.
“We could if you say you’ll reconsider the big plunge,” Ted further added.
“OK, let’s talk about the Diamond Backs and their new manager,” Bob suggested.
“I hear their former manager is having some medical issues,” Scott continued.
“Yeah, Some say he might have Parkinson disease. He even has a TV contract now with another MLB team,” Ted commented.
The meeting continued, but Scott was divided between the now, and the weekend he had planned for himself and ReyAnn. Ladies like her were certainly beyond a dime a dozen.
***
“ReyAnn, to prevent frizz when there is such a contrast in weather, I would suggest blow-drying frequently,” instructed Brooke, her usual hair-stylist. “That’s pretty special of Scott to fly you to Arizona. Have a great time!”
“Oh, we will. He is such a perfect guy,” confided ReyAnn.
****
2
Up In The Air
“We welcome you aboard flight G33. We will be taking off shortly. You will find pillows in the bins overhead for your comfort. We will be coming through with a light snack midway through our flight,” Dan the flight attendant announced to the nearly full cabin.
As they flew over the great planes, ReyAnn asked the flight attendant if there might be a portable
hair-dryer on board. She wanted to follow Brooke’s instructions.
“Sure, I can get you one from the cockpit. Gary, the pilot is a bit ostentatious, and always has one with him on every flight,” confided Lisa who sported a big smile as a happy-go-lucky flight attendant.
“Oh Gary, you dropped your sandwich, let me get it for you,” Lisa observed that the Conair Dryer was tucked further under the seat than anticipated. Five minutes later, “Darn-it, I spilled this soda on my new trousers, get me some wipes quickly,” exclaimed Gary to Dan who also knew of ReyAnn’s request. Handing some wipes to Gary, Dan quickly grabbed the dryer.
Removing the hair-dryer from the case, ReyAnn noticed a brightly-colored paper. It was the winning PowerBall Lottery ticket from the previous drawing. She was immediately conflicted. One side of her brain clicked off several ways it could be used. The other side argued for honesty.
“Ladies and gentleman, we will be landing in 15 minutes. Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts. We will be experiencing some minor turbulence ahead,” pilot Gary informed the crew and passengers. In a quick maneuver, she pocketed the ticket, and returned the hair-dryer to flight attendant, Dan, who replaced it in the cockpit.
Minutes later as passengers were deplaning, ReyAnn, feeling a little guilty, noticed the pilot was observing her somewhat intently. In the terminal he approached her saying, “Excuse me please. . . Miss, I noticed you have the PowerBall ticket. You may keep it. I found it on the floor in the boarding area back in Minneapolis. I have no use for it. This was my last flight. As of now, I am retired. Have a great hair-day!”
“Oh Thank you. I am about to become engaged so am retiring from being single,” ReyAnn stated with a wide smile.
“This ticket should provide well for you and your husband-to-be. Did you notice the amount,” the pilot inquired.
Looking at the ticket her eyes grew large, and her facial expression dream-like.
“Oh my gosh! This is unbelievable! The amount is over $10 million,” ReyAnn stated.
Right then, Scott approached and both he and ReyAnn had a prolonged embrace. Whether he heard the dialogue was not certain.
The end of the second period was going to be a new beginning for ReyAnn and Scott.
The public address announcer entoned,
“Ladies and gentleman, we have something very special to announce. Scott Post, sports reporter is here with his fiancé ReyAnn Gilbert. Silence please,” the announcer voiced.
Approaching the microphone, Scott was nervous inward but calm demeanor prevailed outward.
“ReyAnn, will you marry me and be my champion in life,” Scott asked publicly.
From her seat, ReyAnn merged, and moments later was at Scott’s side.
Taking the microphone she said,
“Yes Scott. I will be your champion and ask you, will you be my man of the year every year?”
“You bet sweetie. There is no game delay here.”
The crowd cheered and took a couple minutes to give the couple a “standing O.” In privacy later that evening, ReyAnn told Scott of the winning lottery ticket, and they agreed to designate half for a charitable cause they both supported in their respective lives.
Hello Grafted In Reader,
I wanted to share one of my recently written short stories with you. Comments are very welcomed if so inclined!
**
Up In The Air
David Russell
At the outset, it could be said that one’s bad hair day may be someone else’s good hair day, or so it was for ReyAnn.
It was a blustery March Thursday in metro Minneapolis and the weekend was going to be extraordinary. ReyAnn had been dating Scott for 11 months and 29 days, and he was flying her to sunny Phoenix, Arizona for the weekend. He was a sports journalist and had tickets for them to see the Phoenix Suns play the Minnesota TimberWolves. Unbeknownst to her, at intermission he was going to propose marriage.
***
Thursday morning at the Sports Desk, Scott took a coffeebreak with his colleagues Ted Grey and Bob Hill. He had monitored the daily columnists who always had plenty of advice to give for professional teams. Somehow, the human factor always got minimized, and the perfection quotient over-stated.
“Hey Scotty, any chance of reconsidering,” Bob quipped.
“Reconsidering what?”
“We think you know,” Ted mused.
“I think reconsider popping the question,” Ted urged.
“Oh, that matter. Well guys, heck no. I met a wonderful woman from the Midwest and, well, never gonna let her go,” Scott confided.
“He has it bad – doesn’t he,” Bob observed.
“Can we get on with something else,” Scott inquired.
“We could if you say you’ll reconsider the big plunge,” Ted further added.
“OK, let’s talk about the Diamond Backs and their new manager,” Bob suggested.
“I hear their former manager is having some medical issues,” Scott continued.
“Yeah, Some say he might have Parkinson disease. He even has a TV contract now with another MLB team,” Ted commented.
The meeting continued, but Scott was divided between the now, and the weekend he had planned for himself and ReyAnn. Ladies like her were certainly beyond a dime a dozen.
***
“ReyAnn, to prevent frizz when there is such a contrast in weather, I would suggest blow-drying frequently,” instructed Brooke, her usual hair-stylist. “That’s pretty special of Scott to fly you to Arizona. Have a great time!”
“Oh, we will. He is such a perfect guy,” confided ReyAnn.
****
2
Up In The Air
“We welcome you aboard flight G33. We will be taking off shortly. You will find pillows in the bins overhead for your comfort. We will be coming through with a light snack midway through our flight,” Dan the flight attendant announced to the nearly full cabin.
As they flew over the great planes, ReyAnn asked the flight attendant if there might be a portable
hair-dryer on board. She wanted to follow Brooke’s instructions.
“Sure, I can get you one from the cockpit. Gary, the pilot is a bit ostentatious, and always has one with him on every flight,” confided Lisa who sported a big smile as a happy-go-lucky flight attendant.
“Oh Gary, you dropped your sandwich, let me get it for you,” Lisa observed that the Conair Dryer was tucked further under the seat than anticipated. Five minutes later, “Darn-it, I spilled this soda on my new trousers, get me some wipes quickly,” exclaimed Gary to Dan who also knew of ReyAnn’s request. Handing some wipes to Gary, Dan quickly grabbed the dryer.
Removing the hair-dryer from the case, ReyAnn noticed a brightly-colored paper. It was the winning PowerBall Lottery ticket from the previous drawing. She was immediately conflicted. One side of her brain clicked off several ways it could be used. The other side argued for honesty.
“Ladies and gentleman, we will be landing in 15 minutes. Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts. We will be experiencing some minor turbulence ahead,” pilot Gary informed the crew and passengers. In a quick maneuver, she pocketed the ticket, and returned the hair-dryer to flight attendant, Dan, who replaced it in the cockpit.
Minutes later as passengers were deplaning, ReyAnn, feeling a little guilty, noticed the pilot was observing her somewhat intently. In the terminal he approached her saying, “Excuse me please. . . Miss, I noticed you have the PowerBall ticket. You may keep it. I found it on the floor in the boarding area back in Minneapolis. I have no use for it. This was my last flight. As of now, I am retired. Have a great hair-day!”
“Oh Thank you. I am about to become engaged so am retiring from being single,” ReyAnn stated with a wide smile.
“This ticket should provide well for you and your husband-to-be. Did you notice the amount,” the pilot inquired.
Looking at the ticket her eyes grew large, and her facial expression dream-like.
“Oh my gosh! This is unbelievable! The amount is over $10 million,” ReyAnn stated.
Right then, Scott approached and both he and ReyAnn had a prolonged embrace. Whether he heard the dialogue was not certain.
The end of the second period was going to be a new beginning for ReyAnn and Scott.
The public address announcer entoned,
“Ladies and gentleman, we have something very special to announce. Scott Post, sports reporter is here with his fiancé ReyAnn Gilbert. Silence please,” the announcer voiced.
Approaching the microphone, Scott was nervous inward but calm demeanor prevailed outward.
“ReyAnn, will you marry me and be my champion in life,” Scott asked publicly.
From her seat, ReyAnn merged, and moments later was at Scott’s side.
Taking the microphone she said,
“Yes Scott. I will be your champion and ask you, will you be my man of the year every year?”
“You bet sweetie. There is no game delay here.”
The crowd cheered and took a couple minutes to give the couple a “standing O.” In privacy later that evening, ReyAnn told Scott of the winning lottery ticket, and they agreed to designate half for a charitable cause they both supported in their respective lives.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
"God Is Watching Us" -90s song by singer Bette Midler
Hello Grafted in Reader,
Today is May 5, and fifty-four years ago today, America sent its first man into outer space. I was in the fourth grade during that historic occasion.
I tite this post, "God Is Watching Us" which was a '90s hit by American Singer Bette Midler. Today, Psalm 33 verse 18 was the verse associated with a devotional I read by author, Skip Moen. Hope is not in things or a belief that things will get better, but looks toward Adonai and rests in the assurance of his control. The verse asserts God watches those and provides lovingkindness toward those who respect Him.
On the reading front, I am halfway through a novel by Amanda Cross titled, "An Imperfect Spy." She is somewhat liberal in her world view and body politic, but the novel is an entertaining mystery.
-Writing-wise, working on a short story for an online contest which could ultimately find a place in a published anthology. I joined a critique group, and it has been very helpful!
Content writing has slowed somewhat, so looking for new opportunities!
-Meantime, Kevod Yeheveh, His presence is ever with us.
Thanks for reading and perhaps sending a hello!
Mellow Roc
Today is May 5, and fifty-four years ago today, America sent its first man into outer space. I was in the fourth grade during that historic occasion.
I tite this post, "God Is Watching Us" which was a '90s hit by American Singer Bette Midler. Today, Psalm 33 verse 18 was the verse associated with a devotional I read by author, Skip Moen. Hope is not in things or a belief that things will get better, but looks toward Adonai and rests in the assurance of his control. The verse asserts God watches those and provides lovingkindness toward those who respect Him.
On the reading front, I am halfway through a novel by Amanda Cross titled, "An Imperfect Spy." She is somewhat liberal in her world view and body politic, but the novel is an entertaining mystery.
-Writing-wise, working on a short story for an online contest which could ultimately find a place in a published anthology. I joined a critique group, and it has been very helpful!
Content writing has slowed somewhat, so looking for new opportunities!
-Meantime, Kevod Yeheveh, His presence is ever with us.
Thanks for reading and perhaps sending a hello!
Mellow Roc
Friday, April 24, 2015
Story, Reaching Beyond by David Russell
Hello Grafted In Reader,
Spring continues to roll on in my corner of blog-land, but the temperatures reflect more a sense of winter where I reside. For some of you, the fall season with its unique features is ongoing.
I have been doing more writing this month, and we also moved to a condo, so the unpacking process will continue for a while.
I want to share one of my story efforts with you, and welcome comment. It was developed from a writing exercise I participated in recently. My hope is to publish it one day in an anthology, or set of short stories by myself. Here is the story of three different responses to life difficulty.
Reaching Beyond
David Russell
“Life is difficult son, you may often be knocked down but you will not be knocked out. There are other ways you can be an active young lad,” Coach Ted of Scotty’s little league team stated.
“That was quite the play you tried to make. Unfortunately you broke your arm. In a few weeks though you will be as good as new, Scotty,” Coach Ted rubbed the lad’s head while commenting.
“I was so close to getting the batter out and slipped on the patch of dirt,” Scotty recalled holding back the tears.
A moment later Scotty added, “Coach, I wanted to play this summer, and it’s only mid-June.”
“I know you are becoming quite the pianist. Work up a good rendition of Take Me Out To The Ballgame, and – who knows,” commented coach trying to sooth the misfortune.
Scotty had been receiving piano lessons for nearly seven months and was in the three-month recital sponsored by the local music teacher’s association. He did spend the rest of his summer vacation playing video games with Doug and Ken, two of his friends from school. During July he and his parents took a couple day trips to the lake and automobile museum.s He was more consistent with practicing piano.
“Scotty, I think you will be ready for the piano recital in January. Those three Chopin preludes are sounding very good,” Ms. Carter, his piano teacher remarked after one of his lessons in December.
“Do I get two weeks off for Christmas and New Years,” Scotty inquired.
“You sure do. Have fun and give a couple people a smile,” Ms. Carter exhorted.
In late January, the one-year point, the music teacher’s association hosted a local recital at the high school. The program was aired across the region on cable television. Scotty played three short pieces by Chopin. There were nine other students who participated. Scotty had taken his difficult moment, baseball injury, and turned the occasion into something he could cope with in his young life.
A Pitcher’s Out
Ace Howard had dreamed of becoming a major league baseball player since his uncle took him to a Detroit Tigers game 15 years previous. Then, he was age seven, and quite intrigued with the “big show” and its trappings. Now, at age 22 Ace was pitcher for the minor league team, The Ramblers.
Manager Dixon told him, “Ace, you are being scouted by the big team, and might be called up during the late summer. Keep working on your technique and less fancy stuff out there. I’ve seen guys get hurt by trying to be so cool.”
“OK Mr. D, as you say,” Ace acknowledged.
It was August 18, and The Ramblers were at 500 for the season. They were in a weekend series against the Ohio Munsters. Ace was called to relieve the starting pitcher in the seventh inning. The Ramblers had a commanding lead in the game.
“Batting next for the Munsters is Adam Isaacson,” the public address announcer stated. The first two pitches were low and away, and high and away. On the third pitch, Ace did a fancy turn that he had nearly perfected, dropped the ball and fell on the ground with instant pain in his right Achilles. He also felt sudden numbness in his forearm, his pitching arm.
“You are gonna be out the rest of the season, so try some rehab and come back for spring training,” Manager Dixon advised hours after the incident.
“Hell no. If I cannot have the “big show” this year, there isn’t gonna be any coming back,” Ace texted back.
“Ace, no one is going to beg you. You are a grown man and can make your decisions. Life is difficult and what you do about that will tell others about what you’re made of,” his team-mate Bud K confided over a couple cold brews.
“Nobody gives a rat’s trap about what I do or don’t do. They’ll turn their attention to the next potential super-star,” Ace responded somewhat angrily.
As the days and weeks passed, Ace more less gave up on his baseball future and startyed drinking more regularly. He could not rise above his short-term difficulty, but instead perceived it to be a sentence on what he held dear. The Ramblers finished the season at 500, and Ace finished his career in baseball.
Across The Fifty Yard-line
Bruce Rogers had been starting QB with his university team. He had begun to have talks with both GreenBay and Buffalo.
Coach Duffy told the players during halftime in their final season game,
“Boys, Life is difficult, but you have taken the road less traveled and continue to push through. I read those words in a 1980s book by M. Scott Peck titled, “The Road Less Traveled”, and those words are so true for most of us. Keep that in mind as you proceed through life.”
During the final game of the season and quarter, Bruce was tackled on catching a pass and in the pile-up sustained major injury to his right knee. He would be out of commission for a few months. His dad encouraged,
“Bruce, you are not out of the game for good. This injury is one injury not the sentence that says ‘it’s over’ move on. One might think Buffalo and GreenBay will be more impressed with how you handle this setback alongside your skills as a player. Life is difficult, and you can take the high road and God will be with you at each corner and crossing.”
Bruce thought of his dad’s words during the next few months that followed. His daily routine included college classes and rehab therapy.
“Bruce, I have enjoyed working with you on improving mobility in your knee and lower extremity,” Stacy encouraged during their last session.
“I have enjoyed working with you too. How about going for lunch with me,” he inquired.
“Well, um, meet you at the Student Union Grill?”
“Is 12:30 okay for you?”
Stacey nodded yes in agreement. They did have lunch and thereafter occasionally crossed paths on campus.
That May, Bruce graduated and over the next few weeks decided to give the Buffalo Bills training camp a good post college try.
“Rogers, we are pretty darn happy with your performance. Our team needs some new blood and new spirit,” the club owner told him after one practice.
“I want you to play during the upcoming season, and will put you on defense for a few games,” the Bills head coach informed.
Bruce did quite well to meld in withg the team. The Bills won their first three games, and lost in overtime in their fourth to Detroit. During the next few games, Bruce briefly played the QB position. In the final two games of the season he played one complete quarter as qB, and was on defense otherwise.
“We want to honor Bruce Rogers for the effort he has shown this year as a Buffalo Bill. We finished the year with 13 wins and three losses. Much credit goes to Bruce for the example he set, and to the team for the effort they have demonstrated. We also acknowledge the parents of Bruce Rogers for the belief they expressed to their son. He is a fine young man,” the club owner pronounced at the final game halftime show. Fans across the stadium could barely contain themselves as they showed their team a verbal outpouring of collective support.
-Bruce would likely live with the potential of his knee giving him trouble from time to time, but much could be said for attitude, support by others, and his quiet unshakable faith in an Almighty God who had Bruce’s interest and welfare in mind.
Bruce, Ace, and Scotty each reached beyond their misfortune, and made a choice that seemingly fit them at the time. Scotty used another ability as a young lad. Ace turned inward after losing the one dream in life he held dear. Bruce lived with his difficulty over time, and over time demonstrated a willingness and desire to come back to the game of football.
NOTE: This is a fictional account and names and places are created from this author's own imagination.
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be with us in the up and down moments in life.
Mellow Roc :)
Spring continues to roll on in my corner of blog-land, but the temperatures reflect more a sense of winter where I reside. For some of you, the fall season with its unique features is ongoing.
I have been doing more writing this month, and we also moved to a condo, so the unpacking process will continue for a while.
I want to share one of my story efforts with you, and welcome comment. It was developed from a writing exercise I participated in recently. My hope is to publish it one day in an anthology, or set of short stories by myself. Here is the story of three different responses to life difficulty.
Reaching Beyond
David Russell
“Life is difficult son, you may often be knocked down but you will not be knocked out. There are other ways you can be an active young lad,” Coach Ted of Scotty’s little league team stated.
“That was quite the play you tried to make. Unfortunately you broke your arm. In a few weeks though you will be as good as new, Scotty,” Coach Ted rubbed the lad’s head while commenting.
“I was so close to getting the batter out and slipped on the patch of dirt,” Scotty recalled holding back the tears.
A moment later Scotty added, “Coach, I wanted to play this summer, and it’s only mid-June.”
“I know you are becoming quite the pianist. Work up a good rendition of Take Me Out To The Ballgame, and – who knows,” commented coach trying to sooth the misfortune.
Scotty had been receiving piano lessons for nearly seven months and was in the three-month recital sponsored by the local music teacher’s association. He did spend the rest of his summer vacation playing video games with Doug and Ken, two of his friends from school. During July he and his parents took a couple day trips to the lake and automobile museum.s He was more consistent with practicing piano.
“Scotty, I think you will be ready for the piano recital in January. Those three Chopin preludes are sounding very good,” Ms. Carter, his piano teacher remarked after one of his lessons in December.
“Do I get two weeks off for Christmas and New Years,” Scotty inquired.
“You sure do. Have fun and give a couple people a smile,” Ms. Carter exhorted.
In late January, the one-year point, the music teacher’s association hosted a local recital at the high school. The program was aired across the region on cable television. Scotty played three short pieces by Chopin. There were nine other students who participated. Scotty had taken his difficult moment, baseball injury, and turned the occasion into something he could cope with in his young life.
A Pitcher’s Out
Ace Howard had dreamed of becoming a major league baseball player since his uncle took him to a Detroit Tigers game 15 years previous. Then, he was age seven, and quite intrigued with the “big show” and its trappings. Now, at age 22 Ace was pitcher for the minor league team, The Ramblers.
Manager Dixon told him, “Ace, you are being scouted by the big team, and might be called up during the late summer. Keep working on your technique and less fancy stuff out there. I’ve seen guys get hurt by trying to be so cool.”
“OK Mr. D, as you say,” Ace acknowledged.
It was August 18, and The Ramblers were at 500 for the season. They were in a weekend series against the Ohio Munsters. Ace was called to relieve the starting pitcher in the seventh inning. The Ramblers had a commanding lead in the game.
“Batting next for the Munsters is Adam Isaacson,” the public address announcer stated. The first two pitches were low and away, and high and away. On the third pitch, Ace did a fancy turn that he had nearly perfected, dropped the ball and fell on the ground with instant pain in his right Achilles. He also felt sudden numbness in his forearm, his pitching arm.
“You are gonna be out the rest of the season, so try some rehab and come back for spring training,” Manager Dixon advised hours after the incident.
“Hell no. If I cannot have the “big show” this year, there isn’t gonna be any coming back,” Ace texted back.
“Ace, no one is going to beg you. You are a grown man and can make your decisions. Life is difficult and what you do about that will tell others about what you’re made of,” his team-mate Bud K confided over a couple cold brews.
“Nobody gives a rat’s trap about what I do or don’t do. They’ll turn their attention to the next potential super-star,” Ace responded somewhat angrily.
As the days and weeks passed, Ace more less gave up on his baseball future and startyed drinking more regularly. He could not rise above his short-term difficulty, but instead perceived it to be a sentence on what he held dear. The Ramblers finished the season at 500, and Ace finished his career in baseball.
Across The Fifty Yard-line
Bruce Rogers had been starting QB with his university team. He had begun to have talks with both GreenBay and Buffalo.
Coach Duffy told the players during halftime in their final season game,
“Boys, Life is difficult, but you have taken the road less traveled and continue to push through. I read those words in a 1980s book by M. Scott Peck titled, “The Road Less Traveled”, and those words are so true for most of us. Keep that in mind as you proceed through life.”
During the final game of the season and quarter, Bruce was tackled on catching a pass and in the pile-up sustained major injury to his right knee. He would be out of commission for a few months. His dad encouraged,
“Bruce, you are not out of the game for good. This injury is one injury not the sentence that says ‘it’s over’ move on. One might think Buffalo and GreenBay will be more impressed with how you handle this setback alongside your skills as a player. Life is difficult, and you can take the high road and God will be with you at each corner and crossing.”
Bruce thought of his dad’s words during the next few months that followed. His daily routine included college classes and rehab therapy.
“Bruce, I have enjoyed working with you on improving mobility in your knee and lower extremity,” Stacy encouraged during their last session.
“I have enjoyed working with you too. How about going for lunch with me,” he inquired.
“Well, um, meet you at the Student Union Grill?”
“Is 12:30 okay for you?”
Stacey nodded yes in agreement. They did have lunch and thereafter occasionally crossed paths on campus.
That May, Bruce graduated and over the next few weeks decided to give the Buffalo Bills training camp a good post college try.
“Rogers, we are pretty darn happy with your performance. Our team needs some new blood and new spirit,” the club owner told him after one practice.
“I want you to play during the upcoming season, and will put you on defense for a few games,” the Bills head coach informed.
Bruce did quite well to meld in withg the team. The Bills won their first three games, and lost in overtime in their fourth to Detroit. During the next few games, Bruce briefly played the QB position. In the final two games of the season he played one complete quarter as qB, and was on defense otherwise.
“We want to honor Bruce Rogers for the effort he has shown this year as a Buffalo Bill. We finished the year with 13 wins and three losses. Much credit goes to Bruce for the example he set, and to the team for the effort they have demonstrated. We also acknowledge the parents of Bruce Rogers for the belief they expressed to their son. He is a fine young man,” the club owner pronounced at the final game halftime show. Fans across the stadium could barely contain themselves as they showed their team a verbal outpouring of collective support.
-Bruce would likely live with the potential of his knee giving him trouble from time to time, but much could be said for attitude, support by others, and his quiet unshakable faith in an Almighty God who had Bruce’s interest and welfare in mind.
Bruce, Ace, and Scotty each reached beyond their misfortune, and made a choice that seemingly fit them at the time. Scotty used another ability as a young lad. Ace turned inward after losing the one dream in life he held dear. Bruce lived with his difficulty over time, and over time demonstrated a willingness and desire to come back to the game of football.
NOTE: This is a fictional account and names and places are created from this author's own imagination.
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be with us in the up and down moments in life.
Mellow Roc :)
Monday, March 30, 2015
Blessed Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread To You
Hello Grafted in Reader,
It is almost March 31 in my corner of blogland, and on Friday at sundown, April 3, 2015, begins the Festival of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.
For a simple explanation of this season, and its Spiritual significance to people of faith, I am pasting an article from "Hebrew-streams.com" discussing this time of year.
The church has ignored it for nearly 1600 years choosing instead to encapsulate it in the celebration of the Easter Season. They also ignore the time between the Resurrection and Pentecost as counting the omer. A time when people of faith prepare for celebrating the again coming of the Holy Spirit.
Please be enriched this season, Kevod Yeheveh.
Now the article presentation.
Passover Studies
In the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible, Old Testament), the Passover in Egypt (Exodus 12) was the birth of the people of Israel. Their deliverance from slavery confirmed God's earlier promises to Abraham to make him into a great people or goy gadol (Genesis 12:2).
Passover [Hebrew, pesach, "to pass over"] became the most important festival in later Hebrew history. It often sparked spiritual renewal when national vision needed revival (Joshua 5; 2 Chronicles 30 and 35; Ezra 6). In later Judaism, it became the focus of messianic expectation. Even today in Jewish homes, a table setting is placed for Elijah, the Messiah's forerunner, which testifies to the enduring hope that the Mashiach will come at Pesach.
In the New Testament, Passover pictured the spiritual liberation and new life created by Yeshua's death (as a sacrificial lamb provided by God) and his resurrection (coming up from the tomb of death-slavery). The so-called "Lord's Supper" (1 Corinthians 11:20) was a Seder meal led by Yeshua in a Jerusalem home.
This historical nexus between Yeshua and the ancient faith of Israel was never abandoned or lost, at least among his Jewish disciples.
Years afterward, Yeshua's primary emissary to the non-Jews would tell a congregation of Gentile believers that "Messiah our Passover has been sacrificed" (1 Cor 5:7).
Their celebration of Messiah's death involved eating Bread and drinking the memorial "Cup of Blessing" (the third of four traditional cups at a Seder; 1 Cor 10:16). Paul's declaration is unequivocal: "Let us celebrate the Feast" (1 Cor 5:8).
In the early centuries, many followers of Yeshua (both Jew and Gentile) continued to observe Passover as a memorial to him. They did so in spite of opposition from the Church of Rome, which finally put a stop to it in most places after AD 400. Only in the latter decades of the 20th century has Passover's significance and its ancient place of honor been revived among Christians, largely due to the efforts of Jesus-believing, Messianic Jews.
The Passover imagery, with its deeply embedded spiritual principles, links the life, death and resurrection of Yeshua to the ancient Covenant that God made with Abraham.
Yeshua's Last Passover confirmed that Covenant as being "eternal" (Hebrews 13:20). And Passover will be the final meal the Messiah shares one day with all his people, Jew and Gentile—a seder that will include, in his words, "Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets" (Luke 13:28).
Passover begins at sundown in:
2015—5775 on Friday, Erev Shabbat April 3
2016—5776 on Friday, Erev Shabbat April 22
Related Articles
Ancient Passover Seder compared with Gospel Accounts of Yeshua's Last Passover
This outline shows how the NT accounts of Yeshua's final Pesach meal with his disciples closely follows the traditional pattern celebrated by Jews in the first century. [2 PDF pages]
God Raised the Lord
The NT has a consistent and widely unnoticed witness about the resurrection. [2 HTML pages]
He Who is Coming: The Hidden Afikoman
The dessert matzah of the Passover Seder once had messianic connotations. But over time they were apparently suppressed. This article discusses the meaning of afikoman and the light it sheds on the Last Passover of Yeshua. [3 HTML pages]
The Last Passover of Yeshua
Based on historical documents, this is a reconstruction of what the Seder may have been like when Yeshua and his disciples observed it for the last time. [16 pages, PDF]
A Messianic Kiddush
A Hebrew-English kiddush that honors God, Yeshua Messiah, and the ancient blessing. [1 HTML page]
A Passover Prayer
For Messianic followers of Yeshua. [1 PDF page]
Saturday Night: The First Day of the Week
When the first Jewish and Gentile believers gathered for fellowship, the evidence in Acts 20 is that they met on Saturday night, after Shabbat ended — not on Sunday morning. [4 HTML pages]
The Third Day: Resurrection Patterns in the Hebrew Bible
Paul says Yeshua Messiah was raised from the dead "on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:4). But there's no passage in the Hebrew Bible explicitly making this prophecy. So where did this well-versed rabbi, educated under Gamaliel of the House of Hillel, see such a prediction in the "Scriptures"? [4 HTML pages]
Who Killed Yeshua?
The NT puts the blame for the death of Yeshua on three sources: Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, Gentile leaders from Rome, and God himself. [3 HTML pages]
Yeshua bar Abba
There is a play on the names of Jesus and Barabbas which is invisible in English Bibles. Only knowledge of Hebrew and Aramaic (and some textual analysis) reveals this spiritually rich irony in the gospel story of Yeshua's last day. [2 HTML pages]
Yeshua Fixed Them Breakfast
At dawn, on the beach of Kinneret, he welcomed his weary disciples.
About Author-Editor
hebrew-streams.org
It is almost March 31 in my corner of blogland, and on Friday at sundown, April 3, 2015, begins the Festival of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.
For a simple explanation of this season, and its Spiritual significance to people of faith, I am pasting an article from "Hebrew-streams.com" discussing this time of year.
The church has ignored it for nearly 1600 years choosing instead to encapsulate it in the celebration of the Easter Season. They also ignore the time between the Resurrection and Pentecost as counting the omer. A time when people of faith prepare for celebrating the again coming of the Holy Spirit.
Please be enriched this season, Kevod Yeheveh.
Now the article presentation.
Passover Studies
In the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible, Old Testament), the Passover in Egypt (Exodus 12) was the birth of the people of Israel. Their deliverance from slavery confirmed God's earlier promises to Abraham to make him into a great people or goy gadol (Genesis 12:2).
Passover [Hebrew, pesach, "to pass over"] became the most important festival in later Hebrew history. It often sparked spiritual renewal when national vision needed revival (Joshua 5; 2 Chronicles 30 and 35; Ezra 6). In later Judaism, it became the focus of messianic expectation. Even today in Jewish homes, a table setting is placed for Elijah, the Messiah's forerunner, which testifies to the enduring hope that the Mashiach will come at Pesach.
In the New Testament, Passover pictured the spiritual liberation and new life created by Yeshua's death (as a sacrificial lamb provided by God) and his resurrection (coming up from the tomb of death-slavery). The so-called "Lord's Supper" (1 Corinthians 11:20) was a Seder meal led by Yeshua in a Jerusalem home.
This historical nexus between Yeshua and the ancient faith of Israel was never abandoned or lost, at least among his Jewish disciples.
Years afterward, Yeshua's primary emissary to the non-Jews would tell a congregation of Gentile believers that "Messiah our Passover has been sacrificed" (1 Cor 5:7).
Their celebration of Messiah's death involved eating Bread and drinking the memorial "Cup of Blessing" (the third of four traditional cups at a Seder; 1 Cor 10:16). Paul's declaration is unequivocal: "Let us celebrate the Feast" (1 Cor 5:8).
In the early centuries, many followers of Yeshua (both Jew and Gentile) continued to observe Passover as a memorial to him. They did so in spite of opposition from the Church of Rome, which finally put a stop to it in most places after AD 400. Only in the latter decades of the 20th century has Passover's significance and its ancient place of honor been revived among Christians, largely due to the efforts of Jesus-believing, Messianic Jews.
The Passover imagery, with its deeply embedded spiritual principles, links the life, death and resurrection of Yeshua to the ancient Covenant that God made with Abraham.
Yeshua's Last Passover confirmed that Covenant as being "eternal" (Hebrews 13:20). And Passover will be the final meal the Messiah shares one day with all his people, Jew and Gentile—a seder that will include, in his words, "Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets" (Luke 13:28).
Passover begins at sundown in:
2015—5775 on Friday, Erev Shabbat April 3
2016—5776 on Friday, Erev Shabbat April 22
Related Articles
Ancient Passover Seder compared with Gospel Accounts of Yeshua's Last Passover
This outline shows how the NT accounts of Yeshua's final Pesach meal with his disciples closely follows the traditional pattern celebrated by Jews in the first century. [2 PDF pages]
God Raised the Lord
The NT has a consistent and widely unnoticed witness about the resurrection. [2 HTML pages]
He Who is Coming: The Hidden Afikoman
The dessert matzah of the Passover Seder once had messianic connotations. But over time they were apparently suppressed. This article discusses the meaning of afikoman and the light it sheds on the Last Passover of Yeshua. [3 HTML pages]
The Last Passover of Yeshua
Based on historical documents, this is a reconstruction of what the Seder may have been like when Yeshua and his disciples observed it for the last time. [16 pages, PDF]
A Messianic Kiddush
A Hebrew-English kiddush that honors God, Yeshua Messiah, and the ancient blessing. [1 HTML page]
A Passover Prayer
For Messianic followers of Yeshua. [1 PDF page]
Saturday Night: The First Day of the Week
When the first Jewish and Gentile believers gathered for fellowship, the evidence in Acts 20 is that they met on Saturday night, after Shabbat ended — not on Sunday morning. [4 HTML pages]
The Third Day: Resurrection Patterns in the Hebrew Bible
Paul says Yeshua Messiah was raised from the dead "on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:4). But there's no passage in the Hebrew Bible explicitly making this prophecy. So where did this well-versed rabbi, educated under Gamaliel of the House of Hillel, see such a prediction in the "Scriptures"? [4 HTML pages]
Who Killed Yeshua?
The NT puts the blame for the death of Yeshua on three sources: Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, Gentile leaders from Rome, and God himself. [3 HTML pages]
Yeshua bar Abba
There is a play on the names of Jesus and Barabbas which is invisible in English Bibles. Only knowledge of Hebrew and Aramaic (and some textual analysis) reveals this spiritually rich irony in the gospel story of Yeshua's last day. [2 HTML pages]
Yeshua Fixed Them Breakfast
At dawn, on the beach of Kinneret, he welcomed his weary disciples.
About Author-Editor
hebrew-streams.org
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Dear Companion - The Early Mays (acoustic)
Hello Grafted in Reader,
Today is Thursday March 26, 2015, and it has been quite the month for yours truly, and imagine you could say the same where you are..
Highlights include a 2-week home visit by our son after finishing his tour in the US Marines, leaving a writing group at a social media site so as to pursue other similar options, making plans to take an online course in Biblical Hebrew and writing for income - from two separate entities, starting to read "A Widow's Story" by author Joyce Carol Oates, her memoir, and received my first formal story critique from the editor of an E-zine. I welcomed his words and instructive recommendations.
Of late, I have been going through the online Devotion, "My Utmost For His Highest" by the late Oswald Chambers.
It presents a considerably different perspective on the faith, compared to that espoused by many today. The men and women who occupy the pulpits and seminaries in north America and adhere to a Gospel with minimal accountability or responsibility will have to answer for that on The Great Day.
They also follow appointed times by man, not God and care little to examine this fallacy that began in the third and fourth centuries.
In the coming days, may we clean the leaven that occupies our hearts, minds, and lives. We celebrate our redemption from the church of Egypt and make our long sojourn to Zion henceforth.
His Presence accompany us, Kevod Yeheveh.
Mellow Roc
Today is Thursday March 26, 2015, and it has been quite the month for yours truly, and imagine you could say the same where you are..
Highlights include a 2-week home visit by our son after finishing his tour in the US Marines, leaving a writing group at a social media site so as to pursue other similar options, making plans to take an online course in Biblical Hebrew and writing for income - from two separate entities, starting to read "A Widow's Story" by author Joyce Carol Oates, her memoir, and received my first formal story critique from the editor of an E-zine. I welcomed his words and instructive recommendations.
Of late, I have been going through the online Devotion, "My Utmost For His Highest" by the late Oswald Chambers.
It presents a considerably different perspective on the faith, compared to that espoused by many today. The men and women who occupy the pulpits and seminaries in north America and adhere to a Gospel with minimal accountability or responsibility will have to answer for that on The Great Day.
They also follow appointed times by man, not God and care little to examine this fallacy that began in the third and fourth centuries.
In the coming days, may we clean the leaven that occupies our hearts, minds, and lives. We celebrate our redemption from the church of Egypt and make our long sojourn to Zion henceforth.
His Presence accompany us, Kevod Yeheveh.
Mellow Roc
Friday, March 20, 2015
May You Shine - song by Zemer Levav
Hello and Happy Spring Grafted in Readers,
This time of year those of faith turn to recall the events leading to our redemption, where we pass over from death to life, as accomplished for us by our Messiah Yeshua!
I recently heard a song titled, "May You Shine" by singer Zemer Levav. A recording can be found on YouTube, not the best quality but a very quality prayer. God wants the best for us and wants his best, "that we may be one" His prayer in the New Covenant, John chapter 17.
-Spring time also turns our thoughts toward outdoor days and enjoying more hours of sun-light. All given to us by our Creator, God, King of the universe!
As the song requests, "May you shine like the stars in the heavens, and be clothed in all white;
may you dwell like those in the Temple and eat of the Tree Of Life."
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be ever new to us!
Mellow Roc
-Comments always appreciated!
This time of year those of faith turn to recall the events leading to our redemption, where we pass over from death to life, as accomplished for us by our Messiah Yeshua!
I recently heard a song titled, "May You Shine" by singer Zemer Levav. A recording can be found on YouTube, not the best quality but a very quality prayer. God wants the best for us and wants his best, "that we may be one" His prayer in the New Covenant, John chapter 17.
-Spring time also turns our thoughts toward outdoor days and enjoying more hours of sun-light. All given to us by our Creator, God, King of the universe!
As the song requests, "May you shine like the stars in the heavens, and be clothed in all white;
may you dwell like those in the Temple and eat of the Tree Of Life."
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be ever new to us!
Mellow Roc
-Comments always appreciated!
Monday, March 16, 2015
Making Sense From Nonsense
Making Sense of Nonsense
by David Russell
"You will not be pitching in the regular rotation. In fact, we are putting you on wavers," the club GM informed his star pitcher who for the previous two years had won over 25 games during the regular season.
"My arm, I just don't know. I am under 30, and .. my arm,"
"I understand your consternation, but we are also talking dollars," the club GM responded. A few days later the pitcher was put on contractual disability, and pitched relief on occasion during the rest of that season.
"I hear you were using social media during the recent college entrance exam. You will be allowed to graduate, but forget any scholarship opportunities," the school Principal told Rene as she cried openly in his office.
Students were being monitored during testing by an outside service, and she was observed on social media during the test.
"We count there are forty who are deceased from the bus crash," a spokesperson told the media during preliminary investigation of a bus accident occurring in Brazil.
"We just don't want to do this now. Perhaps when the child is older," the dad told the family physician during an office visit. The child has a disability that will be further impairing unless treated soon.
"I heard you are choosing to make bread for the bake-sail instead of pies. We need pies, not homemade bread," The coordinator informing Jodi as she laid four freshly baked loaves of rye bread on the bake-sail table. She then turned on her heels and stormed out of the church.
Making sense out of nonsense is an occasion in life we all endear. The three hardest things we will do as humans, and as followers of Messiah is:
Forgive to the extent we so desire
Judge in the same proportion to which we want to be judged
Love our neighbor inasmuch as we love ourselves and our Lord.
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be clear to you and me today.
Mellow Roc
by David Russell
"You will not be pitching in the regular rotation. In fact, we are putting you on wavers," the club GM informed his star pitcher who for the previous two years had won over 25 games during the regular season.
"My arm, I just don't know. I am under 30, and .. my arm,"
"I understand your consternation, but we are also talking dollars," the club GM responded. A few days later the pitcher was put on contractual disability, and pitched relief on occasion during the rest of that season.
"I hear you were using social media during the recent college entrance exam. You will be allowed to graduate, but forget any scholarship opportunities," the school Principal told Rene as she cried openly in his office.
Students were being monitored during testing by an outside service, and she was observed on social media during the test.
"We count there are forty who are deceased from the bus crash," a spokesperson told the media during preliminary investigation of a bus accident occurring in Brazil.
"We just don't want to do this now. Perhaps when the child is older," the dad told the family physician during an office visit. The child has a disability that will be further impairing unless treated soon.
"I heard you are choosing to make bread for the bake-sail instead of pies. We need pies, not homemade bread," The coordinator informing Jodi as she laid four freshly baked loaves of rye bread on the bake-sail table. She then turned on her heels and stormed out of the church.
Making sense out of nonsense is an occasion in life we all endear. The three hardest things we will do as humans, and as followers of Messiah is:
Forgive to the extent we so desire
Judge in the same proportion to which we want to be judged
Love our neighbor inasmuch as we love ourselves and our Lord.
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be clear to you and me today.
Mellow Roc
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Wait A Minute acoustic song, Seldom Seen
Hello Grafted In Reader,
When you were a youngster, did someone be it a parent or a teacher ever say to you, "Wait a minute."
The tone of voice was probably a bit stern when spoken. Well, this morning I had a correspondence in my inbox that was from a wrtier acquaintance. He replied to my email of 1 year ago. Life conditions were somewhat different at that time professionally speaking. Then last evening, Don M who is also a writer sent me a social media site invitation to connect. Still baffled on how to accept those ovetures from others. I emailed him and expressed my thanks and hope we might do plan B on future communicating.
On Sunday I left a writing group which had been a major part of my writing life for 20+ months. Technical issues were the reason, not ill-will or frustration with someone! "Wait a minute," is sure great advice when our lives feel like they are in turmoil and the celerity seems all too powerful for us to stabilize against! Reminding myself I am not the universe, nor the center of it, is a calming restorative in stressed times. We usually get the mercy which means limitless loyalty from G-d when passing through the valley of overwhelm.
I am thankful for a number of people who "just send something" during those times that are not known to them.. Yes, I am in a writer transition, but it is opening me to new possibilities, new experiences, new acquaintances, and yet an ongoing chronic desire to be strong and a role model of grace, courage, and maybe some inspiration.
Kevod Yeheveh, and cyber hug if so desired!
Mellow Roc
When you were a youngster, did someone be it a parent or a teacher ever say to you, "Wait a minute."
The tone of voice was probably a bit stern when spoken. Well, this morning I had a correspondence in my inbox that was from a wrtier acquaintance. He replied to my email of 1 year ago. Life conditions were somewhat different at that time professionally speaking. Then last evening, Don M who is also a writer sent me a social media site invitation to connect. Still baffled on how to accept those ovetures from others. I emailed him and expressed my thanks and hope we might do plan B on future communicating.
On Sunday I left a writing group which had been a major part of my writing life for 20+ months. Technical issues were the reason, not ill-will or frustration with someone! "Wait a minute," is sure great advice when our lives feel like they are in turmoil and the celerity seems all too powerful for us to stabilize against! Reminding myself I am not the universe, nor the center of it, is a calming restorative in stressed times. We usually get the mercy which means limitless loyalty from G-d when passing through the valley of overwhelm.
I am thankful for a number of people who "just send something" during those times that are not known to them.. Yes, I am in a writer transition, but it is opening me to new possibilities, new experiences, new acquaintances, and yet an ongoing chronic desire to be strong and a role model of grace, courage, and maybe some inspiration.
Kevod Yeheveh, and cyber hug if so desired!
Mellow Roc
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Standing By Your Side part two: acoustic song by Mustered Courage
Hello Grafted in Reader,
Wow, has it been that long?
It just seems we were here posting about compassion, and what some others had to say about it. Life and time rolls on doesn't it?
Two evenings ago, I submitted a story to an online contest. The web site is on the premises.com. I won't know if my story places for a couple weeks or so, but will be sure to let you know if it does in a blog post or otherwise. There are other storiues one can read, and worth the entertainment!
Our son is home visiting for a few days, and is back to being a civilion. He had served in the US Marines for the past 5 years, and we spent one afternoon laughing over some comedic skits on YouTube from A Prairie Home Companion, and the comedy duo of Nichols and May who leave their legacy of laughs with us.
I am going to close with a thought that sounds simple at first, but has a considerable amount of stuff to ponder if one cares to do that. It is a statement made by Rabbi Yeshua when he gave his sermon on the hill recorded in the New Covenant Scriptures (book of Matthew).
It is this, "Feed my sheep."
Does this take into account the whole of creation?
Is this other human beings as is commonly asserted?
Is it both creation and humanity?
You decide!
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be with us at the table of life and on the journey of life.
Mellow Roc
Wow, has it been that long?
It just seems we were here posting about compassion, and what some others had to say about it. Life and time rolls on doesn't it?
Two evenings ago, I submitted a story to an online contest. The web site is on the premises.com. I won't know if my story places for a couple weeks or so, but will be sure to let you know if it does in a blog post or otherwise. There are other storiues one can read, and worth the entertainment!
Our son is home visiting for a few days, and is back to being a civilion. He had served in the US Marines for the past 5 years, and we spent one afternoon laughing over some comedic skits on YouTube from A Prairie Home Companion, and the comedy duo of Nichols and May who leave their legacy of laughs with us.
I am going to close with a thought that sounds simple at first, but has a considerable amount of stuff to ponder if one cares to do that. It is a statement made by Rabbi Yeshua when he gave his sermon on the hill recorded in the New Covenant Scriptures (book of Matthew).
It is this, "Feed my sheep."
Does this take into account the whole of creation?
Is this other human beings as is commonly asserted?
Is it both creation and humanity?
You decide!
Kevod Yeheveh, His presence be with us at the table of life and on the journey of life.
Mellow Roc
Monday, February 23, 2015
Standing By My Side - Part 2
Hello Grafted In Reader,
Today remains bitter cold outdoors in my corner of blogland, and is Monday, February 23. The weekend was busy enough. My wife and I had a quiet Shabbat and made our own dinner theater of sorts, as we had French Onion Soup (homemade) while listening to the public radio broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" online. I enjoy most of the music and online narratives created by Garrison Keillor and the acting company along with guests that make up each two-hour show. The focus was somewhat on the winter season, and it along with all the other seasons are something humanly shared.
On Sunday, I ran across an article that talked of about 1,000 Muslim youth holding a peaceful demonstration outside a synagogue in Oslo, Norway. They were quietly denouncing the terrorist activity effecting their lives and those of others in Denmark and across Europe. Norway is said to have a Jewish population of about 1300 citizens in a country of about 5.17 million. To me it demonstrates God cares about the great among us and the small among us.
For pleasure I started reading a 2001 novel by fiction writer, Elizabeth McCracken titled "Niagara Falls All Over Again". It is a lighthearted bio, fictional account, of two men who form a comedy team in the 1930s that ultimately breaks up after a 30-year run due to an ongoing tension. There are serious incidents within the pages, but overall quite entertaining and enjoyable.
It is my custom to bid us Kevod Yeheveh, Hebrew, meaning - the presence of God, and I generally add a further notation. The presence of God be at our side today and always.
Thank you for your visit and comments!
Mellow Roc
Today remains bitter cold outdoors in my corner of blogland, and is Monday, February 23. The weekend was busy enough. My wife and I had a quiet Shabbat and made our own dinner theater of sorts, as we had French Onion Soup (homemade) while listening to the public radio broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" online. I enjoy most of the music and online narratives created by Garrison Keillor and the acting company along with guests that make up each two-hour show. The focus was somewhat on the winter season, and it along with all the other seasons are something humanly shared.
On Sunday, I ran across an article that talked of about 1,000 Muslim youth holding a peaceful demonstration outside a synagogue in Oslo, Norway. They were quietly denouncing the terrorist activity effecting their lives and those of others in Denmark and across Europe. Norway is said to have a Jewish population of about 1300 citizens in a country of about 5.17 million. To me it demonstrates God cares about the great among us and the small among us.
For pleasure I started reading a 2001 novel by fiction writer, Elizabeth McCracken titled "Niagara Falls All Over Again". It is a lighthearted bio, fictional account, of two men who form a comedy team in the 1930s that ultimately breaks up after a 30-year run due to an ongoing tension. There are serious incidents within the pages, but overall quite entertaining and enjoyable.
It is my custom to bid us Kevod Yeheveh, Hebrew, meaning - the presence of God, and I generally add a further notation. The presence of God be at our side today and always.
Thank you for your visit and comments!
Mellow Roc
Thursday, February 19, 2015
*** 1000 Voices Speak For Compassion
Hello Grafted In Readers!
My blog post for Friday, February 20, 2015, is somewhat monumental. I am joining about 1000 other human beings around the world who are speaking for compassion. So as to blend with the ensomble, I present a definition for compassion, and hope we can all make that a part of our personal portfolio before others.
Definition of Compassion from online dictionary:
"Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others."
Synonyms for Compassion: empathy, fellow-feeling, care, concern, solicisutude, sensitivty and warmth.
Compassion Quote from Brainyquote.com
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want to be happy, practice compassion." Dalai Lama
"The Ruach HaKodesh (Spirit of Adonai) is upon me; because Adonai has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted; to proclaim liberty to them who are bruised; and the opening of prison to them who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our G-d. Comfort all that mourn." Hebrew Scriptures Isaiah 61.
Mellow Roc
My blog post for Friday, February 20, 2015, is somewhat monumental. I am joining about 1000 other human beings around the world who are speaking for compassion. So as to blend with the ensomble, I present a definition for compassion, and hope we can all make that a part of our personal portfolio before others.
Definition of Compassion from online dictionary:
"Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others."
Synonyms for Compassion: empathy, fellow-feeling, care, concern, solicisutude, sensitivty and warmth.
Compassion Quote from Brainyquote.com
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want to be happy, practice compassion." Dalai Lama
"The Ruach HaKodesh (Spirit of Adonai) is upon me; because Adonai has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted; to proclaim liberty to them who are bruised; and the opening of prison to them who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our G-d. Comfort all that mourn." Hebrew Scriptures Isaiah 61.
Mellow Roc
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