February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
I was reading Halley's Bible Handbook last few days, and found it very fascinating. It confirms two things that I learned from my most favorite books beside the Bible, Love Without End: Jesus Speaks and The Keys of Jeshua. On page 410, first paragraph or section, it is known that Aramaic was the language used by common people in Jesus' day. I also read about that Joshua is the Hebrew spelling whereas Jesus is the Greek spelling. One thing that I wonder is that if Joshua and Jeshua is the Hebrew spelling and Hebrew language have no vowels, could that means that Joshua and Jeshua is pronunced the same way in Hebrew tongue? Other thing I thought about is Spanish pronouncation of "Jesus" wouldn't be too far off from Aramiac pronouncation of "Jeshua"! So the English tongue has changed drastically since Indo-European beginnings in Latin and Greek!
And I thought about Washington-Franklin Mennonite Conference have the mission in Ethopia and they are learning to speak Aramaic. Frankly, upon learning the above, I wish I could learn Aramaic. According to Halley's Bible Handbook, on same page, second paragraph or section, they did have Aramaic translation of Old Testament! I wonder if today's version is same as that?
Yesterday, I read the new issues of Companions. I suppose most of you don't get those Sunday School papers from Christian Light Publications, and maybe some of you get Companions as part of your Sunday School papers. If the latter is the case for you, you won't get the papers until April. I was very intrigued by my reaction to the stories therein.
When I read the stories, I felt it was bit too primitive or something like that. If I would say that to some staunch Mennonites, they may response that I am rejecting the message. Maybe I am. Yet, that philosophy don't satisfy me why I react like that. I would enjoy those stories back in those days when I am struggling in my Christian life. It is no longer the case now.
According to the story based on the teachings from Martyr's Mirror that today are more dangerous than in Anabaptistic days, I believe that the time is always "dangerous" ever since the Fall of man. I got a message from my South African friend about his thoughts on King David's mistake of counting his soldiers, not fully trusting in God. I replied back, inviting him to observe the same pattern in King David's mistake and in Eve taking the forbidden fruit as well as the fall of Lucifer. They all start to think differently than simply accept things as they are. Since the Fall, man always struggles with accepting the reality. We all know we are to "fear" and "love" God, which means we are to respect Him. When we no longer accept the reality, we also lose respect of God in who He is. My feelings of those Companions stories is that they are good for those of lower consciousness.
Recently I read something that scientists are finding that there are same kind of cells in the heart as there is in the brain! That shouldn't surprise us, if we consider that God is love and He want every man to come to repentance, and we also think about many people died lost, why wouldn't God create man in such a way that man could know Him without the means of having access to the Bible or any other religious training? Ever notice that whenever you feel downcast, where does it hurt? In the heart area, of course! You are THINKING negative, so why can't you FEEL hurt in your head? In same way, whenever you feel happy, you feel blissful in the heart area, not in the head. So, isn't it any wonder when we start THINKING, we lose touch with our heart. No longer do we have to feel sad or guilty for all those lost souls that we cannot reach. We the human race are all the same. Sure, we should evangelize the world, but I believe that evangelism is more for our good than for anyone else. When we share our thoughts, we become more convinced with them. We know that we should all increase in faith, so let us share our thoughts! In same way, when we cease to evangelize, the more legalistic we will become as we can see in Amish or similar settings. 2 Corinthians 3:6 fit well here and also the fact that the list of laws are the result of THINKING!
It snowed a bit last night, but I am jealous of those in West Virginia and New York having more than we do. One Saturday, Julia and I went to Family library, owned by Mennonite women. I found the book about the blizzard in 1888 and wish for other experience of that. If we could have that kind of experience now, then Washington County could have two records in one winter--the largest snowfall and the snowiest winter! It happens in middle of March, so that is not here yet.
Today is February 27, 2010, so that means my Aunt Edith is now 103 years old! And it is 3 years since the collapse in stock market at Wall Street. Our lifestyle haven't change much, but our money value is fast losing. I wouldn't mind seeing America tumble. It happens to Roman Empire, so why wouldn't it happened to us? We overextend our means.
I was thinking other day that with horse and carriage, we would be able to go through the snow. Much better than cars. And at Bible Study we are having every Wednesday evening this winter, we have discussed about that when you buy a new car, it lose it value. I thought about that don't happen with horses. In fact, the horses can reproduce and we can have free colts! So, with all those modern conveniences we enjoy, they are not all peach and cream. We will eventually overextend ourselves by having them.
From reading Halley's Bible Handbook and also from reading my devotions by reading the whole Bible through in one year, I have read the first three books so far, and I was so intrigued by Mosaic Laws. They are truly common sense and very benefical to every one. Just think, if we become broke that we have to sell ourselves into slavery, every 7 years, we can be freed and start all over again. Wouldn't that means if we work for a master, we would gain experience? Then we have chance to put our knowledge to work? Maybe I am wrong about 7 years in this case, as I remember they also have Jubliee Year every 50 years. I would have to read it again to be sure, but you know what I meant. I always did think it would be fun to have wide variety of experiences, and being a butler for awhile would certainly add to life's experiences.
Everything for me is going well. Everything is same. I still work in bakery and then take naps and read books the rest of the day. Of course, I go to library every time it opens to check my email and Facebook. Since I found out my car tags are long expired, I am "stranded" at home. The only time I get away is when I ride along with my family. So I no longer go to other libraries, but the one in the town, only two blocks from my home, and they open only on Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday. That is why I often find a longer list of unread emails on Tuesday afternoon than any other times.
Well, maybe the only problem I am having is that I am feeling restless.
--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"
--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"
