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Posts tagged ‘faith’

The Secret Symbolism Behind the 12 Days of Christmas

The History of the 12 Days of Christmas
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge that will not come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

  • The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
  • Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
  • Three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.
  • The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
  • The five golden rings recalled the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament.
  • The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
  • Seven swans a-swimming represented the seven fold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
  • The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
  • Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
  • The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
  • The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
  • The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

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The Children’s Six Minutes: One by One

ONE BY ONE

Here is this great church building. It is a beautiful structure, is it not? It is so substantial, it has stood here so many years, we take it so for granted that it seems as though it had always been here. But there was a day when the ground upon which this building stands was vacant ground. Then men came with picks and shovels, wagons and plows, and set to work. They laid the foundations, stone upon stone. Then the walls rose, stone upon stone. Then the spire, stone upon stone, until the very peak was reached, for our church is stone from the foundation to the top of the spire. How were these thousands of stones put in place? One by one.

Think also of the roof of our church. It is a tile roof. How in the world did they get all those tiles up on the roof and fitted in place? Did some man who was very strong stand back and throw a handful of tile at the roof? No, it was done one by one.

To-day it is snowing outside. Someone has figured that in a square mile one foot of snow would weigh 65,000 tons. If you should take sleds and horses, and put a ton of snow on each sled, and arrange the horses and sleds in a procession, the sleds carrying the snow from that square mile of territory would reach from Philadelphia to New York, and beyond New York, straight up the Hudson, almost to Albany. That is only one square mile, and there are thousands of square miles every winter covered with snow. How does this snow come? In tiny flakes, one by one.

It is the same with life. God gives us many days, but he sends them one at a time. He also sends us many duties, but they do not come en masse. He is good and sends them one by one.

MEMORY VERSE, Matthew 6:34

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

MEMORY HYMN

“One more day’s work for Jesus.”

THE CHILDREN’S SIX MINUTES by Bruce S. Wright

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Weekly Recap of Articles for Christians for Nov 23rd to Nov 29th

Bible

Education

Poems

Cooking/ House Keeping

Estudio Bíblico en Español

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Parallels Between Genesis and Revelation

PARALLELS BETWEEN THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS AND THE LAST TWO CHAPTERS OF THE BIBLE

Genesis Chapters 1 and 2Revelation Chapter 21 and 22
The Heavens are newly created.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.		There will be a new heaven.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
The earth is newly created.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.		There will be a new earth.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
A Tree of Life is in the garden.
Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.		The Tree of Life is the New Jerusalem.
Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Rivers flow in the garden.
Genesis 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted and became into four heads.		There is a river of life in the New Jerusalem
Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
No sin exists.
Genesis 1:31 and God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.		No sin will exist on the new earth.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
There is no pain. Everything is good.
Genesis 1:31 and God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.		No pain will exist on the new earth.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
There is no sorrow. Everything is good.
Genesis 1:31 and God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.		No sorrow will occur on the new earth.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
God walks with man.
Genesis 1:15-16 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:		God will be among men.
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
No death exists.No death takes place on the new earth
The is no curse on the earth. Everything is good.
Genesis 1:31 and God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.		No curse will exist on the new earth
Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

One day God will reset everything to perfection.

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The Children’s Six Minutes: Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING

What does Thanksgiving mean to you? I hear one boy say, “It means a big dinner.” I think we all agree with him. Who does not welcome and enjoy a good dinner! I hear Mary say, “Thanksgiving means a day off from school.” I guess you are right too. School is not such a charming place that girls and boys are unwilling to have an occasional holiday.

Now I am going to ask some of the older people what the day means to them. There is a young woman. She is a stenographer. She says, “Thanksgiving means a day away from the office. I am at the office every day except Sunday, and I do appreciate, now and then, a day that is really my own.” Yonder is a traveling salesman. What does Thanksgiving mean to you? He says, “It means a day at home. Last year I spent one hundred and sixty-nine nights away from home. I have three children. I should like to see them every day. There are times when many days pass and I do not see them. Thanksgiving week I plan to be at home.”

There are others I could ask. Each has his answer. But Thanksgiving has a special meaning for us. It is the Harvest time. I have here an apple. Isn’t this a beautiful apple? What color! Who mixed the paints, who handled the brush to give such color to this apple? God. He, in his infinite love and wisdom, has provided, through the unfailing laws of nature, for the growth, sweetness, coloring and beautifying of all the products of the fields. This apple is but one of many kinds of fruits.

Praise, then, is the great meaning of Thanksgiving. God, our heavenly Father, sends us every good gift. From his bountiful hand come our daily and nightly mercies. We should praise him every day. But the day for the united chorus of praise is Thanksgiving.

MEMORY VERSE, Psalm 150: 6

“Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”

MEMORY HYMN

“Come, ye thankful people, come.”

THE CHILDREN’S SIX MINUTES by Bruce S. Wright

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The Meaning of the Priestly Blessing in Numbers chapter 6

THE PRIESTLY BENEDICTION

According to rabbinical sources, this priestly benediction-consisting of fifteen words- was to be prayed only by the high priest, following the evening and morning daily offerings. The high priest raised both hands above his head and over the people, joining his hands at the thumbs in the shape of the Hebrew Letter Shin, a letter representing the Name of God. He then pronounced seven different blessings over the people. Numbers 6:22-27 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.

the Hebrew Letter Shin
  1. The Lord bless you.
    • The Hebrew word Bless is bāraḵ.
      • Strong’s H1288 בָּרַךְ bârak, baw-rak’; a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason):—× abundantly, × altogether, × at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, × greatly, × indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, × still, thank.
  2. The Lord keep you. The Hebrew word for keep is šāmar.
    •  Strong’s H8104 שָׁמַר shâmar, shaw-mar’; a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:—beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
  3. The Lord make His face shine upon you: This word pânîym is the common Hebrew word for face.
    • פָּנִים pânîym, paw-neem’; plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה pâneh; from H6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively);
  4. The Lord be gracious unto you: Gracious in Hebrew is chânan or ḥānan.
    • חָנַן chânan, khaw-nan’; a primitive root (compare H2583); properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition):—beseech, × fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, × very.
  5. The Lord lift His countenance upon you: The word for countenance is also pânîym. (See number 3)
  6. The Lord give you peace: The Hebrew word for peace here is shâlôwm.
    • שָׁלוֹם shâlôwm, shaw-lome’; or שָׁלֹם shâlôm; from H7999; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:—× do, familiar, × fare, favour, friend, × great, (good) health, (× perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, (× all is, be) well, × wholly.
  7. The priest then spoke the name of the Lord over the people God’s name is significant. God leads the people who exalt His name.

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Understanding the Jewish Tallit: History and Significance

THE HISTORY OF THE JEWISH TALLIT (PRAYER SHAWL)

The Torah instructs Jews to attach “fringes to the corners of their garments” (Numbers 15:38). The Jewish tallit, or prayer shawl, is a white rectangular garment worn by devout Jews during morning services on weekdays, the Sabbath, and festivals. Typically made from lamb’s wool, cotton, or silk, a tallit never combines wool and linen, as this mixture is prohibited in the Torah (Leviticus 19:19). Each tallit features special knotted fringes, known as arba kanfot, on its four corners. These fringes, called tzitzit, are tied in a particular way, with each knot holding specific significance.

For years, the stripes on the tallit were black because the source of the blue dye for the thread was unknown. Research later revealed that the blue dye came from the shell of a Mediterranean mussel, the Helix ianthina, which produced a shade known as cerulean purple—a mix between blue and purple. A tzitzit traditionally has 613 knots to symbolize the 613 commandments in Jewish law. The fringes, whether knotted or not, serve as a reminder to follow God’s commandments, as mentioned in Numbers 15:39. Tallit sizes can range from thirty-six by fifty-four inches to seventy-two by ninety-six inches.

A band is sown on the top called the Atarah, or the crown, and often is embroidered in silver Hebrew letters, with a special prayer: “Blessed are You, our God, Creator of time and space, who enriches our lives with holiness, commanding us to wrap ourselves in the tallit.”

In more Orthodox communities, men wear the tallit while women do not, as it’s considered a man’s garment, and the Torah prohibits women from wearing men’s clothing (see Deuteronomy 22:5). Observant Jews are often buried in their tallit, but with two changes: the neckband is removed, and one corner fringe is cut off to signify that the deceased is no longer bound by Torah obligations.

The hem of Jesus’ garment would have had fringes on it because He would have keep the commandment of Numbers 15:38-40 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them ; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

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Why Churches Must Address Noise Levels for Children

My daughter recently wrote about churches and the loudness of the music. If you have not read it, please do. Here is the link Why Churches Should Consider Noise Levels for Children with Noise sensitivity.

I am thankful for my daughter being as high functioning on the Autism spectrum as she is. I know that many other parents have it so much worse than I do. My heart goes out to all of the parents who are trying to figure out what to do. I don’t know why there is more people being diagnosed with autism. However, I am beginning to see it as a test for the churches, after my daughter showed me a verse in the Bible. Here is the verse.

  •  Matthew 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

This is Jesus talking in the above verse. My daughter looks at things differently than I do. She said that to reject a child is the same thing as rejecting Jesus, because those who receive a child in the name of Jesus receives Jesus. Think about those words.

Then she pointed out that the public library is more sensitive than the church is to the needs of the children. So, the test is will the church receive children who are different? Failure to receive all children in the Name of Jesus is failure to receive Jesus.

I am not saying that children should not be taught as much as possible how to behave in church. I am saying that children should be loved, considered, cared for, and appropriate accommodations provided for.

Here are some examples of what a library system is doing.

Notice how accommodating the library is. Various items are being provided by the library to help the children. Unnecessary light and sound elements are being turned off. The library is normally a quiet place. They are going above and beyond by offering to turn off any additional sound elements. I am thankful that the library is offering this. I have not had to use this with my daughter, because the library is already quiet enough for her. Everyone on the spectrum has different issues. It is not a one size fits all kind of thing. I am grateful that the library is trying to do something. I hope and pray that the churches step up and try harder to communicate with the parents about what the needs are and how they can help and support. I do know that the number 1 thing that they can do is take it seriously when the people say that the music is too loud.

At the church we are currently attending, the music is loud. With earplugs my daughter is able to sit/ stand in the back. She is unable to go to the front of the church because of the music.

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Why Churches Should Consider Noise Levels for Children with Noise sensitivity

I think we should read this verse it says that God can us hear so why do some our church have screaming and boom boom for music? Why can’t some children go to church? {I am meaning the poor children that need ear plugs for go to the library}.

Kids who need ear plugs to go to the library can be referred to as having auditory overstimulation noise sensitivity. This condition can be caused by various factors, including ADHD, autism, or exposure to loud environments. If the library can realize they need to have time of day for these children, why can’t the church? So why can’t the church realize they need to turn the music down? Jesus says let the children come to me but if they can’t go to the library without ear plugs how’re they going to go to the church that have booming and screaming for music?

I, Bell, am autistic. The so-called music at the church for me is nothing but booming thunder and screaming. I like to sing to God but at church, I don’t sing at all. I just stand there and try to survive. It is hard to even think about anything. Sometimes it even gives me headaches. That is not right. It is hindering me from worshiping God. That is the same as keeping me from going to Jesus. I am sure that this will prevent others from going to Jesus. At one church I went to the preacher said, “I just turn off my hearing aid, and I hear it perfectly.” That is wrong and should be a sign that the music is too loud. That should be a reason to turn it down.

Jesus often taught by simply talking to the people. Jesus never screamed at the children. Yes, the Bible does say shout praised to the Lord. However, you need to remember at that time there was no electric instruments, speakers, or microphones. The people just used their natural voice.

  • King James Bible Isaish 59:1
    • Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
  • New King James Version: Isaish 59:1
    • Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
  • New International Version: Isaish 59:1
    • Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
  • New Living Translation: Isaish 59:1
    • Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.
  • English Standard Version: Isaish 59:1
    • Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
  • Berean Standard Bible: Isaish 59:1
    • Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.
  • New American Standard Bible: Isaish 59:1
    • Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear.
  • Amplified Bible Isaish 59 :1
    • Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short That it cannot save, Nor His ear so impaired That it cannot hear.
  • Christian Standard Bible : Isaish 59 :1
    • Indeed, the LORD’s arm is not too weak to save, and his ear is not too deaf to hear.
  • Holman Christian Standard Bible: Isaish 59:1
    • Indeed, the LORD’s hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear.

Other References

  • Matthew 18:1-6
    • At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
    • And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
    • And said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
    •  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
    •  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.
    • But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it was better for him that a millstone was hanged about his neck, and that he was drowned in the depth of the sea.
  • Mark 10:13-16
    • And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
    •  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
    •  Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
    •  And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
  • Matthew 19 :13-15
    •  Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
    •  But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
    • And he laid his hands on them and departed thence.
  • Mark 9:36-37
    • And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
    • Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
  • Luke 18:15-17
    • And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
    •  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
    • Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Bible Studies by Bell

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The Children’s Six Minutes: If I Were a Boy Again

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN

Chicago University, one of the great schools of America and the world, received its impetus from the tireless energy and brilliant leadership of its great President, Dr. Harper. After his death there was found among his papers a memorandum which read as follows:

“If I were a boy again I would strive to find out from goods books how good men lived.

“If I were a boy again I would study the Bible even more than I did. I would make it a mental companion. The Bible is a necessity for every boy.

“If I were a boy again I would more and more cultivate the company of those older whose graces of person and mind would help me on in my good work. I would always seek good company.

“If I were a boy again I would study the life and character of our Saviour, persistently, that I might become more and more like unto him.”

Now President Harper was a great, wise and good man. If he felt that he would do certain [69]things were he a boy again, surely the rest of us could improve upon our boyhood years had we the chance.

If I were a boy again I would be more attentive to Church and Sunday School and the things that were taught me there. If I were a boy again I would get my day school lessons with greater care. If I were a boy again I would be more obedient to and more thoughtful of my parents.

Why should I talk like this, for I cannot be a boy again? But you boys have your boyhood. It is a present reality. Let President Harper teach you. Be the boy he pictures.

MEMORY VERSE, Psalm 103: 1-5

“Bless the Lord, O my soul … who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

MEMORY HYMN

“By cool Siloam’s shady rill.”

THE CHILDREN’S SIX MINUTES by Bruce S. Wright

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